Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-07-19
LONG OR SHORT sPEECHEs-Temp.,, in ,
Tea pot


On glancing over the sketch of the debate in tho
Senate Of .ast week, our attention was attracted
by sundry very glitter words and violen,
speeches, uterspersed throughout the debate. VIVA,
can the matter bel was the first inquiry. VIVA,
could have so much convulsed grave Senators with
rage, and made them throw aside their dignity and
gracel Like the war Of Troy, it all sprun, from
very trIdng cause. But small matters, j. is said
will discompose great men much easier and sooner
than weghty matters.
1t appears, that MIR Clay had proposed. that the
10 Bill be taken up for immediate action in order
that the pressing wants Of the Treasury might be
supplied. lie was met at the Threshold with VIC.
lent opposition and premonitores of the earth
quake were distinctly perceptible. lie forthwith
animadycrtcd upon the unusual, the unprecedented
opposition, and adverted to the three weeks which
had been consumed IN long speeches, and tine dispo-
s,Ilon manifested 10 continue the same game, and
intimated that the one hour rule of the House,
which had been found to operate most benefeally
there, in cOnnexion with the Previou. Question.
might be ProhtabIy introduced into the Senate
That It was the duty Of the majority, who were re-
sponsIbe 10 The country, to take care that the pub
lie business was not delayed or defeated This was
the sigma for tie grand out. break. Such commo-
ten has not been or heard Of since the las,
great tempest IN the ea.pot Mr. John Crisis Cal.
hOun, who has fallen even in the rear Of Benton. in
public estimation, and is every day more and more
a subject Of reproach TO those, who once respected
him, literally exploded. lie ranied and raved in
the most approved Ben,oniin style, about "the des
potic exercise o. the power Of the majority" -"de-
stroynS the liberties Of the people, in gnggns their
Representative" He would submit to no gag-
MT he-Ile would CNplode-he would blow up
lie would pu.. down the Capitol, aud play the very
d. Mr.. King, of A.abama-(old Miss Nancyl
followed on tue same high key. To threaten the
Senate with the gag was most abominube. He,
"peacsIUe man as ho was would rcss, the attempt
even unto Death" The whole Senate trembIed at
this terrible announcement. B1mbasieg Benton
beloved. ole would consider an attemp, to
rule the Senate, by the despotism Of the gag,
as bad as introducing band Of soldiers INTO it
70 force measures through, by pitching opposing
Senator'S out Of the windows. lie would consider
his political life extinct, f such measure was car
RED. The moment a whip was introduced into
this chamber, he would consider his legislative life
ex.ingusuld." THIS touched the memorable wings
IN tender place. and To spare his invaluable life,
they were halfway inclined 10 forego their cruel
purpose.
Bot Mr. Cay-hlrd hearted man, having less
compassion FOR the great hulk Of boslialiy before
him than Tor the people, would not rcent-would
not be utnIditei, aud would not he diverted from
his purpose In a few unanswcrable remarks, h,
maintained the wisdom and usefulness Of the one
hour Rule, AID took issue with the rampant heros.
nm nrTF .|rlr ,yI.
erll dis lst among the people. lie said
III be did not adopt tho same means which ha,
proved 50 beneficial ~ the other House. he wOuIC
have somcihlng equally efficient To offer. lie h1t
no doubt Of the cheerful adoption Of such a mCasur,
when % should come before the Senate. Here al
| ready three weeks and half had been spent IN A.
mCudmrnt alter amendment 10 this ki.l, being dis
cussed and debated no full length as II the who.,
bill was on i'5 final passage. Yetifa proposition d
urged 10 conhng debate q the merits or dement's oil
each amendment, there is nm outcry made abou
uDudgIng the liberty u speech. We'll, now, ht
knew The people too, md he knew they were moi
going 70 complain about the abrdgment Of lon,
speeches ~ Congress. They want their business
% be donc-.they want action, and not much col
about o. The people will Je very glad 70 find thel
can g't the measures they uro 50 impatient for
|c'ruel through without the useless delay Of wait
ing for long speeches 20 be delivered. lie rccol
Irct'd once meeting with Of the most intel zen
and tpIy sensible men % had ever been h8 200,
fortune N Dc uruIlIntedrwith, and he was strucl
with remukID.c slyIng Of he; Il was, that h
e'nsiiered u utterly impossible Tor any man, he On
nj clrs what bis genius was 10 speak sensibIy o
p'clIHy on any topic for more than quarter Of al
hour What then, be- (Mr ChyD would siy, va
Tue use Of such speeches as are here mld.l Their
J were two hundred and forty members In tho Othe
House. d each was 10 consume an hour, who
I would session terminate and yet the rcstrictio
J would be complained o. The greatest grevanc
complained Of by che people with regard 10 Con
gress i' the delay Of public business by Ion
Z spccchesp
, This Is the true eround.-Tbs People will NJ
pIaud tho sentiments, and they will sustain the pa
, " who introduce the reform Of short speeches f
long ones. Let the one hour rule be adopted in n
Senate, as in the House, One hour is long enouo
for any man TO speak upon any sui Jet at the pu
D lie expense. II he would hold forth NJ great
length, let him do so at his own proper cos, AZ
(, charges. And even this limitation to an hour
susceptible Of farther abrdgemenl, II the san
d fictitious spirit continues to animate the MINOR,
= II they will porss, in speaking sgsnst time, Al
: merely for the purpose Of delaying and deie,tr
] legislation, they should, without moments hs