The Madisonian., 1840-02-18
THE GLOBES NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
MESSRS. BENTON AND CALHOUN.

THE GLOBES REPRESENTATIONS.
MESSRS. BENTON AND CALHOUN.
The Editor Of the Government organ, Ia
an article noticing the discussion which took
place in the Senate, on Friday last, on the
motion to print the purely er-Parie testimony
which Mr.. Benton has gathered from persons
of his own selection, in reference TO the salt
duties, again misrepresents the proceedings.
The pervcrsion, in this instance, is so absurd
and ludicrous, that il can only do mischief to
the Globe itself, by illustrating ito entire un-
scrupulousness.
MR. JoHN G. CALHOUN opposed the mo-
ton to print the testimony, far more sirenu-
ously than any other member; and his oppo-
sition called forth an attack upon him from
the Missouri Senator. The official editor
takesn notice OF Mr.. CALHouN's opposition,
nor Of the pleasant interlude which occurred
between him and Mr.. Benton but hauls
Messrs. Preston and Clay, over tho coals;-
when, in truth, Mr. PREsToN avowed him
sell to be an facor Of repeal OF the salt tax.
The official says, that Messrs. CLAY and
PREsToN, "were ably and thoroughly an
swered by Messrs. ALLEN, BENTON, and
WRIGHT" Was the mention of Mr. CAL
HouNs name omitted, because he was not
thoroughly and ably answered."
"A letter in the Baltimore Patriot, gives
more detailed account of the scene between
Messrs. Benton and Calhoun, than we pub
lished on Saturday, and we therefore subjoin
an extract.
Mr. CuuouN rose, and said, before he gave his
vote on the motion 10 print he wished 10 know whe-'
ther the Committee Finance intended this session
to report bill TO repeal The salt daiesl
Mr.. WRloHT answered that the committee had not
yet determined on their course
Mr.. CALHoUs. Is the publication Of these pa
pers designed TO have any bearing on that billP'
Mr.. WRiGnr answered in the affirmative, and MIR.
BENToN mumbed something which was not dis
tinctly heard but was understood 10 be an emphatic
declaration TO the same effect.
Mr. CALHOUN, Cooking at Mr.. WRGnr) =" Can
you spare the dutyW
Mr. WRidHr said something In low tone. Mr..
CALuouNs shril voice rung through the chamber in
slantly-" Will the Chairman of The Finance Com
mii,ee SPEAK out? | cannot hear"
Mr. WRiGHT, (now in strong tone) No sir; no
portion OF the accrung revenue can be spared; and
if cut down, the deficiency must be supplied in some
other way. But still that consideration would not
impel me 10 withhold any useful information from
The public"
Mr. CALHOUN II is enough. | cannot vote for
the printing of these documents, not for single
COPY. and for the simple reason that cannot vote
for the bill in favor of which they are designed TO
operate Let US consider what we are doing This
salt duty cannot be spared. The Government is in
need OF IL and be il remembered that the deficit OF
this year will be the deficit Of the next.
But what spectacle will we exhibit to the coun-
try. Cut down the salt duty, and then raise money
to spend on the Cumberland road, or some other
purpose Of the kind spending money TO print and
circulate publication to iorsall the opinion of The
people, and create an impression in favor of cutting
off source Of revenue at time when the country
is without sufficient revenue.
This was the first strong outburst of Mr.. CALHOUN
against darling project OF the Missouri Senators
and it naturally excited great deal Of attention and
interest both in the Senate and in the galleries
Blu, Mr. CALHOUN did not stop there. He told the
committee and Mr.. BENTON that if the salt tax was
to be repealed the icholc Tariff must be reviewed 1t
was no, for fair them take step and go the
whole course and he gave warning if the bill for
the repeal was reported, he should consider ii sig
nal for general action on the Tariff and. he would
instantly present a resolution to instruct them take
up and consider the whole Tariff system. Any other
course would be unjust and partial and iniquitous
What equality was there in taking off the
duties on salt and retaining them hemp iron lcad
and other articesl
Mr. CALHoUNGwent still step farther, (whether
inspired by disgust for BENToNs agraranism, or
only by jealousy of a rival, | cannot say,-buD he
reprobaled in strong terms the interference by the
Senate with matters purely local. and exclusively
under State regulation. The question which had,
been brought up today belonged = the State alone
to supervise and determine.
While the Carolina Senator was speaking the
cloud rose the brow OF Benton, and his scowl
grew darker and darker. He started to his feet the
moment his antagonist sat down, and without the
himsiest aifectaton even of Disgusting his hatred,
he upbraded Mr. Calhoun in round terms for the part
he had taken in regard to the compromise act
This was, of course, and unequivocally, mere
plosion of personal wrath-for what had it TO do
with the business before the Senate--wth the salt
documents? He reminded the Nulliier that the pco-
pie had declared themselves against the Tariff by
eecting I'm anti Tariff President and filling Con-
gress with majority OF ami Tariff Representatives.
Then he said, the whole system would have been
broken down forever-but how was the ant-Tarif
bill of the Administration metz
A combination of two opposite parties array ed
themselves against 1.-THE North and The South pole
conJoined and produced the compromise act, which
was in fact, Tariff, 10 be fastened on The coun-
try ill it expired by its own limitation
Blu, the best of the was the contest between
these two aspirans 10 the Presidency for the honor
of reviving the cry Of TARIFF TARFrlr Mr.
CALuouNs menace OF his intention TO have the whole
system reviewed, if the Salt tax was repealed was
quite transcribed by .BENToN's boast, that he had
awakened the country the subject at the last ses-
sion and his declaration that he intended to bring