The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-01-22

Eerences Of the responsibility of the Adminisratio
for all The loss and all the dishonor OF the late
normous deialcations. ,
He was followed by Taylor "a New York Loc
Foco) who made weak, wishey -washey speech
with nothing tangible or worthy of the trouble 0
notice or refutation in it-undertaking to be de
fence of the Administration. lie was against III
appointment of committee by ballot, OF course
Who ever expected SO thoroughgoins iriend O
the Administration to be anything else
Frank Thomas then took the floor and made
verv extraordinary speech. His argument, divest
ed Of the yerbage in which it was imbedded-Qik
n yalueess atone set in tead)-amounted to this -
The Administration would be held responsible 10
these defalcations and therefore "the party ougi
10 have the advantage of a committee OF their owl
making of a character excusatory from its yer
creaton-appointed by Speaker whose Admins
tration principles would induce him to be the IN
strument for shielding the Administration.
Mr. Menefce replied to Thomas, and when sa
that in nerve, spirit eloquence, his speech on thi
occasion was equal to any that ever fell from hir
Il am comforting high praise
Mr. Robertson Of Richmond, will also receive
notice. His remarks were of great Importance.
The House adjourned at five o'clock, on motio
of Mr. Legare.
In the Senate, MIR Prentiss of Vermont, present
ed a series of joint resolutions, adopted by tn
Legislature Of that State nstructlng their Senators
and requesting their Representatives in Congress
to use every exerton to prevent the annexation
Texas to the Union and procure the abolition o
slavery in the District of Columbia, and protesting
ali petitions, memorials, DC. on the SUBJECT o
slavery, without being considered or referred.
He moved that they be printed and laid on thu
table.
Mr. Foster of Tennessee, moved that the question
be divided He objected to the printing.
Mr. Prentiss commended that to PRINT this paper
was merely act of courtesy due to the Lesisia
ture of a sovereign State, and he warned gehile
men from the South that the course they were Pur
suing was exactly the thing most calculated &c
increase the strength of the abolitonists at the
North. ;.
MIR Calhoun expressed his surprise at finding
this matter pressed by gentleman SO entitled t.
respect as Mr. Prentss. The question involved
was daily alternating the people of one section from
those of another and it the agitation was coniln-
ued this Republic would come worry speedily to an
end AS 10 the remark about the course OF the
Southern men increasing the strength OF the abo-
tionsts, he assured the Senator that Inc SCUM
was able and ready to take care OF Itself.
Mr. Prentiss said he had no wish to agtate the
subiect-but he insisted that out of common re-
spect the State ofVermont, the resolutions ought
to be printed.
Mr. King opposed the motion to print as unneces-
sarv at best but he also regarded it perniclous
To send such documents before the country. lie
declared that if such paper were acted on, and
the wishes of the Vermont Legislature carried out,
this Union would be dissolved. lie and every
southern friend in the Senate, would instantly
leave the chamber. He would go home and tell
his constituents that the constitutional compact
was broken, and that they were thrown on them
selves to defend their rights.
Mr. Lumpkin of Georgia, satd gentlemen from
the North might talk Of the South being unduly
excited, but he would tell them, his constituents
could not remain calm and compo sed, when their
least of all when the attacks came in this grave
form from a Sovereign State. lie moved TO lay
the motion to print on the table, and he would not
withdraw it for any body.
The motion was agreed to, ayes 20, nays ..
So the proposition to print was laid on the Ia
After the disposal of some miscellaneous bust,
ness the Senate proceeded to the consideration Oh
the Graduation Bill, and Mr Merrch VI HAa'f
H. referred to the assaults which had been per-
severingly made on Henry Clay, by means OF the
supporters of this measure lie hoPed II thai
statesman was to be tried at ALL the tribunal would
be the AMERICAN PEOPLE, and he had no douJt
he verdict would be one of high and honorable
acquita, and of entire approval OF his whole con-
He denied too that the old States had pursued
anv thing like an MiberaL policy towards the
West in their mode Of administering the public
domain. The country ought 10 be abused OF TINS
charge The whole progress of legislation show
cd The greatest liberaliy and generosity on the
part of the General Government towards the new
States. 1t was tho conduct OF wise ana penevo-
lent parents towards beloved children. When
have the old States received any thing like the
rich and valuable grants which have been made
to the new ? And it must be remembered that
when these grants were made, the representatives
q States
Congress they now possess. The old States then
had all the power, unrestricted by any thing but
the principles of Justice and liberality.
Mr. Fulton of Arkansas, followed Mr. Merrick
today, and supported the bhl,
Mr. Buchanan offered some amendments, oil
which will take notice in my next
Henry Clay moved substitute ute to, TOR the
of the proceeds OF the public lands-that scheme
of Which, if i. ma, haa dtsai
violation of the will of Congress, by Andrew
JaeksSn would h; Ds1agha
more enduring than any they have ever derived
from the short sighted projects of the men OF
shallow heads and corrupt hearts, who now at
tempt to lord it over them.
The Senate adjourned without taking any ques-
ton.
Washington, Jan. 10, 1889.
The Senate Chamber, which has been so frequent
w. during the present session, the stage for brilliant
display, and angry abuse, was to me, this morn
ing, most charming breathing place of reposng
meditation. Mr. Robbins Of Rhode Island, from
the committee to whom the subject OF the SMITH
IE l