, 1840-02-29

celved by those VINO Know the IDvS al do
mestic life, and those endearing ties which
bind together man and wife.
Correspondence of tie Baltimore Patriot.
WAsnrHoroS CIR, January 2Slh 1910.
INTERESTING pFE,TE IN THE sEArE.
THE ASSUMPTION or STATEDEBT$
A good days work hs been finished By the
Senate. The iile and mischievous rcSolu,
tons OF Mr.. Benton. against a straw OF his
own creatlon-agaiLst 4 proposition which
shas never yet been submitted to Inc Senate
Tor the assumption by the Fede:al Govern
ment OF the debts Of the States, were refer
red to a committee, it will be remembered.
about three weeks ago, after i lonI and
swelling haran.ue from their author. Tie
committee, after taking all this time for cx-
animation and study. sent in a report to-day,
by the hanls OF their chairman. Mr.. Grun-
day, VI 10, to give greater emphasis 10 its doc
trIneS and Arguments and declamatior. read
II himself from the Secretary's deck.
A debate arose upon 1t Instantly, which,
for animation, interest and Importance has
not been surpassed by any thiny TINT has
occurred durias the present session. The
scope and tendency OF the resolutions and
lie report were attacked with great power
by MeSy5s. C.i;ienden Preston, SoulharI.
Webster. O. Smith OF I~nliana; and 50 heavy
and effective were their blows. that after 4
feeble defence by the Chairman Of the CON-
mittee, and by the author Of the resolutions.
the report was sent back to the com nittee
for correction and emcnia:ron!
The report appeared 10 be. for the most
part. 4 rI6~yt;neato or hash of Colonel Ben
tons speeches on the subject; and that re-
markable Senator seemed to be actultcd by
some Of the pride and jealousy of paternity
respecting it, Tor he took upon himself a
great deal OF the care and burden ofexy,ain-
ing certain parts. as well as of lis general
support and defence.
As soon as the reading was finished, Mr..
CrIttenden rose, and commented on tie eX-
traordInary character Of the whole proceed
ing. l greatly regret that, owing TO engage
ments in the House, | did not hear the frs,
part and the best of this speech; but it is
represented as being distinguished, in an en-
inent degree, by force Of argument and felic-
itv Of Illustration, and that inimiIajle wit
and sarcasm which gives so much spiri, and
point 10 his style. He made an able and el-
oquant defence of the course and conduct
VI lft SNoiS esll pIolCsl leu u1tlISt nc Ul-
warIantable interference Of the Senate in
their domestic concerns. In this connection
he alluded 70 certain famous resolutions.
drawn up by Mr.. Calhoun, containing strong
declarations OF n general and comprehensive
characte-, against the right of one State,or the
General Government, TO intermeddle with
the internal policy and domestic concerns OF
any State Of this Union. He quoted the
language Of Mr.. Calhoun, AMI called upon
him to say whether the resolutions of Mr..
Benton and this report oflhe committee were
not 'intermedling' palpable and direct
whether every word of aninadversion and
censure contained in them was not sinterfer.
ence" at once unwarrantable and insulting
to the States.
hoped this ~allusion would bring Mr.. Cal.
houn out-but he kept his seat. Mr.. Grundy
took the floor.
He said Il doubt not with perfect sinceri-
ty) that he had hoped the discussion of the
report would have been delayed for some
time, until the committee should be prepared
for 1t. There can be nc question at all that
the authors and friends of the report were
not ready te meet the arguments with which
the distinguished gentlemen of the Opposi.
ton assalled it on the very spur Of the occa-
sion. Mr.. Grundy. however. went so far
N the defence as to disclaim most emphatic
ally any design to injure the States, or to re-
Duke or insult them.
With regard to a gross error in the report,
ia stating the amount of the debt of Louis
lana. Mr.. Grundy virtually admitted that he
had taken the report of a New York Com
ptroller (Mr. Flagg) for his authority.
In a brief but pungent rejoinder, Mr.. Crit
tenden reinforced his former objections TO
the report. The States of this Union are
held up in il invidiously, as being in debt to
the amount of two hundred millions of dol.
lars; and lest any Of the evils Of such a state
Of Indebtedness should escape the notice o.
the world, they are commented on with all
the prodigality of language and illustration.
and when the committee are asked for the
grounds for their statement, they can show
none!
But the chairman tells the Senate of a
calculation that has glanced family on his