Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-06-16

but the contrary. lie should I've opposed TO hxiI
the hour OF meeting ut 10 o'clock. He ngrec
:. however, entirely with the hon. Senator that Il
present session ought to be confined, rsidly, to Il
important subjects for which Congress had be,
convened; but, owing to the rapidly with viii,
the Senate 60, on with its business, they might c.
cn"te, without any extra haste, on keeping {
10 ahead Of the other House, which for ausht
n could perceive, was likely to debate abolition for
week or two longer. He thought no man could con
II plain oiany want of pdtv in the manner in whiC
they had repealed the sub.Treasury law; he beiey
d cd that operation had been completed in day an
hall, or two days. II gentlemen persisted in ha,
ing all the voting one side of the Senate and
s the speaking on the other, he thought they migt
. hope 10 get home again IN two or three weeks.
!, Mr. KING argued 10 show that there was no ne
f ceSsity OF adopting the resolution. He went into
technical discussion OF the order OF business, cor
E tending that majority of the Senate could Away
dispose OF what was before 1t very much rs the
pleased. The change would preclude any call o
the Departments unless 10y general consent. VIII
tie up members in this wayl Nobody on his sid
OF the House wished to see the session prolonsct
all concurred, he was sure in desiring an early pc
rod OF adjournment MIR Il. never had concutre
IN any attempt TO defeat measures by mere delay
yet he insisted that It the duty of the maorit'
IN every public body 10 allow the minority a ful
and lair opportunity of discussing every measure
proposed; to deny this was species of Legislative
tyranny, IN which gentlemen were too apt TO "fee
power and forget right" lie could assure the hon
Senator from Kentucky that he would gain nothing
by course of this kind; it would only excite
spirit which it was desirable ON every account tC
keep down, but which would very naturally bt
reused by making men feel that they are under ru c.
which empowered the majority to cut out from the
mass OF business any subject they might choose to
select, and push It on, regardless of the rights and
wishes of their opponents. He trusted the honora-
bic Senator would not insist on pressing his notion
but that, n spirit OF liberay, and as a matter OF
right, he would at least allow space and opportunity
for the usual calls on the Departments.
Mr. CALHOUN observed that the principal
means toy which a minority could guard its rights
was the observance OF the rules of order. lie sub
mltted TO gentlemen whether /; fair thus 10 cut
OFT their opponents from an opportunity Of bringing
out the expression OF their opinions every impor
tant sublect-yet that would be the whole effect Of
the proposed resolution. II the Senator woGld with
draw his resolution, Mr. e. would himself move TO
alter the hour of meeting 10 o'clock but he must
express his hope that the Senator would not depart
from that generous liberal, ard courteous habit OF
proceeding which was the real honor OF the Senate.
Very rarely was such thing witnessed as tie al
tempt TO ihwart measure by the mere consumption
o! time, or by resort 10 the iCchncalitv of rules.
Seldom had II been attempted 10 stop debate 10y sit.
ting out the question, and never in the case &C
the sub-Ireasury, had he known the Senate TO re.
fuse the consumption OF three or four days in the
discussion OF measures OF great and vital importance
Other gentlemen might not take the same view OF
this thing with Mr. c, but he considered that the
contest nj Tins session was 10 &c contest Of the
those OF the old Republican party, and It's result
would decide which TO have the performance
in this country. For his own part he honestly be-
lIcved that upon that result the salvation of the
country hung suspended. II gentlemen desired to
shorten debate by observing an unbroken silence
let them 90 so but let them at lea afford the oihlr
side some opportunity TO speak. He saw no rea-
son for this resolution that could be credltabc TO
those who urged 1t. This House moved rapidly,
the other slowly; and a. to setting them examples,
NtaN 4 F.a,- f,1lr r
II they did, 1t would DC vain, because they could
not follow them.
Mr. CLAY observed, in reply, tina, he wanted 70
other or better evidence than the present discussion
was uhOrdins OF the disposition OF their opponents TO
protract debate. This was a perfectly simple cues.
ton; all could understand it. The resolution was
confined exclusively to this present called session
A It aimed at was on Its face, and that was that
II the Senate should discuss one OF the important
measures which were to occupy its attention during
one day, without bringing the discussion 10 a close
they should not, on the next day. be compelled TO
wait tl the hour Of one O'Clock before they resumed
its discussion as the unfinished business. As 10 the
argument that, without this rule, the unfinished bu-
sIness might be taken up, provided there was no.
lining sc on the table, what did Il amount tot II
gentlemen wished to delay the discussion could they
not readily contrlve always to keep some other bu.
sIness in readiness on the table-some Arbuckle
case, or some useless call for information that was
TO lead 70 n1thng2
And TO the reflections which had been cast out
IN regard 10 the CELEBRITY with which the sub-Trea-
sury law had been repealed, did gentlemen really
expect, alter the expression OF public opinion which
had taken place iEom one end OF this land to the
Other that they were 10 stand here Te or six DAYS
on stretch discussing that which the People had
| already decided To what good emo? Would H.
change the opinion ri single mani Would Il do
any hing but consume the public timel Take as
an example, the speech Of tie honorable Senator
from New York, (MT wrigkl,) a gentleman ever
distinguished not only by his decorum in debate, but
by a courtesy and even kindness TO his opponents
which was honorable 10 his character; vet what
was his speech when any gentleman examined il
Closely The honorable Senator commenced by
taking II Tor granted, IN anticipation, that the subst
tute for the SubTreasury was TO be Bank ofihe L.
States, and then he proceeded occupy three hours
IN speaking upon subject not before the Senate.
And Tor what purpOsei To what endl Mr. G..
could nave answered with ease every argument he
brought forward, but he did not choose 10 do it.
The country expected them To act-ihe country fell
the country suitcred-Ihe country was a.on zed
Oy tins everlasting consumption Of time without &C
| uon. On THIS question Of Il bunk Mr.. e. was vii
/ Ing 10 hear the Senator from South Carolina lust
as long he might choose TO speak TO that question
/ provided always, that he should not undertake 10
! speak against Tune. lie hoped that, as the resou-
| ton was tempOTy IN its app cat ION, mere provision
Tor tie EXISTING session, not working any liberation
IN the rules OF order, that Senator would at once con-
sent 70 let II he adopted. What was the practice
m the Brush Parliament They would very often
SIT all night 10 finish measure, although on a lew
i very extraordinary occasions the debate was nro
tractcd for sevcra, days. But here we continue Ia
talk from day To day, flom week TO week from
month 70 month, ~he nothing was done. Mr. G.
was very ready 10 sit and hear, but really provided
he could resume az the end Of the sesiOn he could
almost consent tint his faculty Of speech should b,
suspended daring its continuance. lie trusted the
resolution would be adopted, and when they got on
one OF The great and absorbing subjects which de.
manded their action, they would follow Il out till II
was settled one way or the other.
/ Mr. CALHOUN said that 40 man on that floor
could be more anxious 10 be at home aud attending
to his business than lac was but he did claim IN be.
nan OF the minority, tia they should he heard. IL
denied that the People demanded from ticm &C ION
/. alone. They demanded that they should act wise w.
They were rcmb ngIy alive 10 the fate Of the Con,
sttution. II might suit the views ofpolHcisns and
. spectators that Congress should come 10 speedy
Efion, especially on one SUBJECT But what Opp0r-
tunIty was allowed for dciberailon and dlscussjonl
In the case OF the Sub-Tfeasury they had had bot
one day or day and a BALI and the gentleman now
IA Ks OF allowing them but i've or SIX on other mea.
sures Of equal impjrtince. The grc,t rucstion al
the session was not the repeal Of the SuJ-Trcast-v
las, but what was to be adopted as a substitute C1r
/ H. The attempt thus % cut Oft debate was a thing
/ unprecedented 90 the Senate. He should resist n.
/ ANXIOUS as he was 20 be at home, he would re-
man here q whole year rather than not be heard
tie moved 10 ny the resolution on the fable bui
consented 10 Withdraw the motion at the reques, OF
Mr. ALLEN, who commenced by observing that
lhe uhJcct Of Ibis resolution obviously was 10 hurry
tbs session 70 conclusion. They had seen. and
from source wbirh, IN tblt Senate was not 10 be
tonuavened IN the Least, long list setting forth the
"IJc.l winch 10 was the design uf tho majority IN
I q IUrfrrU ito l.aI.. =