Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-03-05
/Ero,u mr. n \ Er. Past

1T Is natuTa! enough 10 suppose tndl WI iaiduHt,
our Senator in Congress, is III very Ill hGmor with
himself The following letter gives the story of an
overflow Of this unhappy temper OF mind III the Senate:
W.suIHGToS Tuesday Evening, Feb -, l-l0..
There was exciting, but certainly not very Dig
nicd display in the Senate to-day, occasoned by the
remarks Of Mr.. Tallmadge presenting the resolution
Of New York, in relation 10 The Independent treasury
bill He commented with severity upon whaS he term
ed the indecent haste Of the Senate III passing the bill
before he had obtained his seat, and expressed his re-
greet that Mr. Wright had not delayed acton until at
ter his arrival at the seat Of Government lie said il
was measure in regard to which he occupied pecu-
liar and trying position; that at the lime OF III passage,
the people Of New York had not been fairly represent
ed that they had several occasions recorded their
votes against il: and that his colleague who had been
Instrumental III hurrying IT through The Senate, was
the organ Of very small minority. II seemed 10 him,
he said AZ if the Administration had been apprchen-
size Of defeat and had sent ;hc bill 10 the orT House
as quick they could without iclibrraIlon or iarness.
Mr. ramad.r made other remarks rejecting upon The
macr:t; %! the Senate
Sr. Wrsh, replied in speech remarkable for is
moderation and courtesy. So far Mr.. I 5 remarks
we're personal nc said, they should receive answer,
for that was kind oil debate IN which he never al
lowed himself to engage. Nor did he consider himself
rcspons IDLE for what done in the Senate, 10 men
who were not members Of that body. He would,
however state 10 Justify himself, that the bill in ques
ton was passed not by his desire but by the votes of
other members of the Senate. He then defended the
action Of the Senate, showed that they had been ra-
thcr dilaory than precipitae, and concluded by ex-
pressing his readiness whenever the Legislature OF his
State should instruct him. to act IN obedience 10 his
well known and cherished principles
Mr.. Tappan here took the floor, and continued To de-
tnd the Senate from the ust and offensive charges
of Mr.. Tallmadgc. He gave history of the passage
Of the bill and proved that ample time had been given
TO all who desired 10 take part in their proceedings
He said that he regarded the observations OF the Sena
tor from New York impairment, and not founded IN
fact II too much to ask the Senate to adjourn IT'S
whole business, from week 10 week TO accommodate
the plans whims Of single mclnbcr-even II that
member were in peculiar and trying situation
Il have no doubt, SIR, said Mr.. 1appan, ''tha the
gentleman felt himself III peculiar and trying Situa
ton. | readily conceive case in which almost
any person would find peculiar and Trying sltua-
ton. Ii man should abandon all the professions
Of his lIfc--lf he should prove recreant TO Il shall
not say principles, tor | am persuaded that prn-
cipcs had little nothing TO do with the a!iar) but
to his opinions, long entertained and often expressed
if he should become traitor To his friends, an apoSiatc
to his party and throw himself, body and SOUL INTO The
hands of his enemies, doubt he would place himself
peculiar and trying situation. But this would give
him authority to mIsrcpresent the motives OF those
with whom he had previously acted. 1t would only
entitle hm 10 the profoundcst pity Of all men.
THIS hypothetical case of Mr.. Tappan seemed 10 have
the effect Of putting Mr.. Tallmadge quite in rage
He made long, rambling and irrelevant reJonder, IN
the of which the Vice President called HIM to
order for transgressng the usual courcses OF debate
The word traitor, which Mr.. Tappan had used, chung
to him like sticking plaster. He struggled most des-
pcracly to shake 1t off, but without effect Failing TO
convince either himself the Senate that he did not
deserve it, he sought refuge in trade abusive OF the
President, abusive of Mr.. Tappan, and abusive of all
the Presidents political friends, "irom the bull dog,
his language, 'who growlS around the capt
to- 10 the smaller puppies, Tray, Blanche and Sweet
heart scattered the nation. He complained that
he had been traduccd without mercy: that he had been
hunted like the Indians OF Florida, By hloodhounds, and
that the only for all THIS persecution that he
had been bold and manly enough 10 think and speak for
himself
He continued in this common place strain for about
half an hour, endeavoring TO show how very consist
ent had been his course, and how very tickle and
changcable was that of the whole Democratic party
For the most of the tme he spoke under great excite
mcnt evidently feeling under the castlga-
ton MIR. Tappan had gwen him, and conscious, no
doubt that all which had been said richly de-
served When he had closed, Mr.. Tappan made few
observations in reply, to the effect that he had only
supposed case which the Senator from New York had
taken upon himself 10 apply He was willing 10 let
The matter rest as il stood That gentleman GER
tainly the best Judge of what concerned himself and
he should make attempt TO aid him in quarrel be-
tween himself and his conscience. On motion OF Mr..
Wright the resolutions ordered to be laid the
table and printed The Senate then resumed the con-
sderaon of the morning business, and adjourned.