Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-11
JUDGE DANIELS NOMINATION..

The Injunction of secrecy having been removed
from the proceedings on this nomination, we ieel our
srlees not only at liberty, but in duty hounn 10 htc
somc of The extraordinary reports which are IN crcua-
ton about IT, and which, doubt, VIII become lui'y
known 70 the public. Ii seems That all manner VI 1t
tempts were made ny the Fcdrrasts TO deeat The no.
mina.ion Of Mr. Daniel, on Tuesday evening me
m films made by Opposition members to stave of the
n,n;nat;on MI the next day. showed that their whole
effars were directed 10 delay, to keep u oil 70 the
last day when the nomination could be defeated
altogether by the easy process OF spehhns III, mo-
night for there being previous question IN tue Se-
nate, there is no way to terminate deoae pil ny iy
inp The subject on the table, which, in this case would
be death To the nomination The Democratic Sena'
tors unanimously resisted the delay. Those Denocra.
tic Senator'S most favor Of the new arrangement nf
lie udical circuits declared that if there was any at
renpt TO delay the passage Of the bill for the purpose
Of preventing Mr. Van Buren, filling the vacancy, they
would vote at for confirming the nomination OF
udpp Daniel and they acted accordingly. Those Sena-
tors orr having supported the judiciary bill, when
they found il could not be passed. joined their Demo-
cratic friends in bringing on the nomination OF Mr.
Daniel Il was ordered to be brought on The question
wos ordered to be taken At that instant, the Federal
Senators headed by Mr.. Clay, of Kentucky, (and
through him. announced their determination 10 secede
from the Senate and actually seeded IN body, with
the exception Of two (hlr. Preston and Mr. Smith, OF
lndiana;l all the rest seeded with Mr. Clay leaving
the Senate without quorum, and thus doing all IN
their power TO dissolve the Government. Report
SAYS land choose 10 repeat II al once, when there
are fifty Senators in the city who can either affirm
or deny ii,) that excessive violence OF temper and
sprech was exhibited by several Federal Senators,
acally Messrs Clay and Snuthard and that the former
on leaving the Senate chamber at the head of the
ders had the unparalleled ernntery, besides proclaim
ing his determination TO CO. sneerIngy and contempt
uousy address the President Of the Senate and bid
him good night, If he had been taking leave OF pr
vate ge neman at his house Thus treating the American
Senate mere private body of individuals Some
Democratic Senators heng absent, the Senate left
without quorum, and could do no act. Under the
Constitution, minority can only do one oftwo things,
either adjourn, send for the absentees, and compel
their attendance. adjournment was the death Of the
nominations send for the absences the duty and
the right Of the minority. The Sergeant Arms was
sent for them The seceders refused obey him. and
remained at their lodgings. Finally, at the hour of
midnight, bare quorum formed, without n sin gle
one OF the seceders having returned The nomination
was then confirmed, the Injunction nf secrecy then
taken off, and all the proceedings of the night made
public. Among these proceedings, We find resou
ton offered by Mr. Benton, to open the Senate DOORS
and lei the American people Chose Of them who
presently behold the condition Of the American Senate
The resolution was III these words:
"Rcsoircd, That the rule Of the Senate which re-
ouires the galleries To be cleared while acting on Exc
cutve business, shall be, and the same hereby is sIs
PENDED, while acting the nomination Of Peter "
Daniel 10 be Associate Justice Of the Supreme
Court Of the United States, in the place of Philip p.
Barbour, licensed.
The want of quorum prevented the resolution
from being acted upon, but it was clear that many
in favor OF IT, and deemed II the true way TO prevent
the DISCRIMINATION Of the Senate in future, well
expose the present anarchical attempt TO dissolve the
body.
From this sample, the public may Judge what is to
he the condition of the American Senate hereafter
when the i'll power who have done such deeds
as we have here but family sketched-Giobc.
FICTION Or pRI \rEg tn THE