Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-26

/, sachuseJts made at Alexandria, in the pre-.
g ence Of many thousands Of Southern gentleme,
and they were entirely satisfied. His opinions We
there avowed openly, and he told the assembly this
they should hear OF them again; and those yer
: same sentiments, Up. tisftis rer6is, echoe
amongst the mountains OF New Hampshire, wer
. reverberated along the indented shores Of Massa
chuse'ts, proclaimed the banks Of the II nd
son, ard again put forth in the clearest and mos
decisive language from the Capitol at Richmond
Asa patriot and Southern man, MIR. II. had hear,
them with great pleasure. Whether they were IN,
result OF any change in sentiment whether they
were the product of any new light, Mr.. =. neither
asked nor cared, but hailed them with delight a,
proceeding from such man. Whether or old
II they were MIR. Webster's sentiments now, as he
could not doubt they were, he sure the Senitor
from Georgia must rsjoice with HIM, both that they
were entertained and had been thus expressed.
MIR. RlNES obtained the floor, but yieldedit a,
/ the earnest request OF
! Mr.. CUTHBERT, who said that he had charged
these sentiments, of which he complained, openly
on this floor, upon the Senator from Massachusetts
some years ago, when the position Of that gentle
man was not SO important 1t had become,
and the Senator from Virginia had at that time
joined HIM IN pressing for an explanation from the
Senator from Massachusetts.
| Mr.. RlNES said he should like to know hat
was the purpose ofthe Senator from Georsi, in thus
pressing this subject Of inquiry What his
objectl
Mr. CUTHBERT said he would explain. He
then repeated the declaration that, when pressing
the charge OF these oplnons on the Senator from
Massachusetts, the Senator from Virginia had unite
with him, and had expressed to the Senator from
Massachusetts, his strong disapprobalon of those
] opinions.
I MIR RIVES said that the gentleman from Geor-
| ga was certainly mistaken. Mr. r. had perfect
recollection Of the leading circums'a nces and did
not joint the gentleman from Georgia on that occa
SION, In charging the Senator from Massachusetts
with having promulgated the obnoxious opinion
that 1t was competent for Congress 10 prohibit The
az q nv from
Tor sale. be had had no Informs ton on the sub
lect. All he had heard from the gentleman
from Georgia himself. That Senator had assert
ed that the Senator f,om Massachusetts had IN
some document adopted by public meeting in
Boston, advanced such sentiments, and this was all
that Mr. Il. knew about 1t. When that gentleman
charged the fact MIR Webster, and pressed for an
explanation, MIR X. had been anxious TO hear what
reply would be made but did dot joint the Senator
IN making the charge.
MIR CUTHBERr. | did not allege that the Sen.
ator from Virginia made the charge on his own
knowledge, but say, and will ever repeat, that
the Senator from Virginia did, with earneslness and
with great ability, press that charge on the Sena-
tor from Massachusetts, who, in his reply, avow-
ed the doctrine, and maintained and defended il on
the constitutional power Of congress to regulate
commerce between the States. | repeat, that
the Senator from Virginia did enter into that de-
bate, although admit that he obtained the facts
from me.
MIR RlVES. had risen to perform an act Of JUS
tce to the Senator from Massachusetts and to my
self, when yielded the floor to the gentleman from
Georgia. And what is the result OF the statement he
has ma de7 Does 1t sustain his asser ion that
pressed theSenator from Massachusetts for an an
swer TO his inquiry
MIR CUTHBERT, interposnc. bee the SEN
ator-l beg the Senate TO do me Justice. What |
said was, that the gentleman from Virginia did press
on the Senator from Massachusetts, the incorrect
ness OF those opinions, supposng him to entertain
them.
MIR RIvES. Then the whole Question. rs he.
tween the Senator from Georgia ard myself is i'm
material have not so minute q recollection of all
the circumstances as 10 be able recall every indi
yidua thing which passed; bot, fortunately for the
Senator from Georgia and yself we did not speak
TO empty benches. There must have been others
who heard and who remember what passed. | re-
collect having participated in very interesting de-
bate, to which the Senator from Massachusetts and
other members OF this body were parties, differ
ent topics connected with Southern rights On this
occasion, remember II was alleged by the Senator
from Georgia that the Senator from Massachusetts
had advanced the doctrine that il was compe;ent
for Congress 10 prohibit the transportation of slaves
from one Stale TO another for sale and that he an
Pesled TO him to say whether he had or not; but he
do not recollect whether the Senator from Massa.
chusetts had admitted or denied having done So
Mr. CUIHBERT. No, no; he did not deny IL
Mr. RlVES. Let not the Senator from Georpis
involve me when he comes forward 10 make charses
against gentleman who Is here present TO de-
fend himself; but, If he advances a charge and its
truth Is denied, then the burden of proof certainly
lies on him
mir CUTHBERT. lean prove il. and will
Mr. RlVES. protest against the sen,leman,s
drawing me IN to support his accusation in mailer
OF which have no knowledge. Now do feel il 10
oe due TO the eminent public man who has lust dis
solved his connexlon with this body and who ma
been arrasned for his opinions by The Senator from
Georgia Ia manner which, to say the least is rather
Iltimcd and unprecedenled 10 state what have he,
Tue declarations OF his opinions these same uues.
uon'' within my own hearing, at very recent pc
NOD. With that Distinguished gentleman I have
uttered, and still differ, some important aues-
TONS OF public policy. But these differences have
never prevented me from feeling that his presence
mere was one OF the proudes orn menfs Of thisHall
and that has withdrawal from IL will leave an mel
le:tual void which generations must mass ayV,,, -;
the ordinary course o. Providence 10 men he fore W.
shall see It filed with his like again His talents
and ms repuis ION are the common property of hrs
country; and for one have ever looked mo-, IT,
! W.T. pride as an American citiz IN. If nv bonora
Die inendiro Georgia-
| IMr CUTHBERT. / hope the Senator will
drop the expression 'fnendr1
MIR. RlVES. Most happily If he saws 80. If
the Senator from GeorgiI, then, had looked as in.
qusHlVely INTO the evidence of the opinions of the
| senator from Massachusetts, on this important and
delicate topic, which has been given TO the void
during tue last four FIVE months rs he seems 10
have done into those supposed 10 have been ,,,e ed
6y him tweniy-odd years ago in a town-meeiins of
] DoSto"' ht houiG nave seen what he has SAID mn.
der circumstances Of the mos, solemn and in,nosir
character At the city OF Richmond, in the month
OF October last on the sacred porico ofthe C,nitoI
OF virginia, before an assembllge OF ten thous,nd
OF her irsemen beneath tbs light Of an O.tobsr
! sun-in the face Of Heaven-he declared. in tbs
most solemn manner, under all the responsbili,ie,
OF his character aud station that Il was his vii
settled and unchlngclble opinion that there il M
power, direct or indirect in Congress or the Gene
raj Government, to interfere, IN any manner ,,baI
eUsT, IN the Hghesi degree ioifh the sJj,ef Of sar,
| ~ or The tnsiiu'iORs Of The South < dsciar,tio,
so broad, 30 complete, 50 unequivocal so en-.
/ phaue, proceeding from snch n man IN surb
presence, could not but make a profound in,n,..-
SION. These memorable words are on record-
Ihey were taken down AZ The time, and they have
been gwen u the world under the revision of the
Senator from Massachusetts himself Here ,bsn
- the authentic and recorded evidence Of tbs d.f
/ berae aud inal opinions Of thu distinguished Gen
teman on the whole Of this delicate subject. aod I,
Is but an act Of common justice that he should ~
tired and Judged by them. Let the Sen,tor frono
Georga prosecute his inquiries by referring 10 tb.ss
recent and authentic proof. Of the sentir,e, ~ ~
d'iingn'hed cltlz Of Massachusetts: and n tbev
should in to SATISFY him. he will have this furtbs,
Sonsoiaton that, though that gentleman is removed
from thl' theatre u his public ldbors he will moi he
beyond the reach Of any legtimite injuries IN tb,t
h'ghu post OF duty and responsibiltv bis ae.e,-
SION 70 winch has been hailed, ~ the Senate, ron,
heniueky (mr Clty) has iust remarked bv lie
genera voice OF the country. He will be baSpv.
aouOt not TO answer any inquiries which nav he
conveyed 70 him, IN Courteous and proper terms.