The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-12

washington
bth 9th sth and fth instant with power 70 examine wit
ness, and send ior persons and papers.
Mr.. JARNAGlN remarked that Il had been sug-
gestsd that five members instead Of three should con-
slltute the committee He was willing that it should
be amended.
Mr., MANGUM said; have somewhat reluc-
family yielded my own judgment 10 that Of others IN
reference 10 this proceeding. believe have held
personal intercourse with almost every senator de-
nominated as wing in this body, and upon my
own part and theirs, take occasion differing from
the honorable senator from Tennessee) TO announce
In advance that no such meeting, OF any meeting,
either with without the British minister has la
ken place in reference TO this matter, or any matter
Immediately or remotely pertaining thereto mean
the resolution offered by the senator from Georgia.
further take occasion to ssy In advance, so far as
| am individually coneerned-so far as believe OF
the others-and feel authorized TO speak for every
Whig senator in this body-there is not a scintia
of foundation for any direct charge or insinuation
contained in that paper My own impression on
this subj ect has been constanlly-ull yielded, as
said TO the Judgment Of others-that II The char
acter Of this Senae before the country 10 not strong
enough 10 stand up against charges and insnua-
tons not specifically made, and evidence not ndi-
Gated, by any newspaper however elevated or how
low its character in the country II is time that
the Senate were disbanded. III there be any indl-
yidual in this body whose character Is so weak-so
himsy-so little entitled TO public confidence, that
upon general charges Of the description contained in
this pa per- he would feel il necessary 10 invoke
committee for their investigation, why, then, ac-
eording to my instincts and first impulses, think
he had better at once leave the position which he
occupies. have, however, yielded 10 this proceed
ing. yield, because | understand from a source
which regard as entitled TO the highest credenes
that the persons connected with this print, or al
least one Of them, has said that these allegations
rested upon information derived from membee OF
Congress. lfit be a member of another branch Of
this Capitol, have nothing TO say on the subject
lfit be any senator upon this foor-but, sir, that
regard impossible, for feel perfectly assured that
there is not member this floor who behaves
such thing; and will not, | cannot believe that
there is a senator this floor who believes what
his understanding repes, and his honesty spuns
II, however, the reference be made TO a senator,
regard that as an additional calumny. lift referred
to member Of the other House, and by any poit-
cal application or connexon with any section the
different parties here, and he had got friend to ird-
cate that II was necessary TO examine this matter
should have at once yielded, and insisted on an az
animation the most and searching that cot Id
possibly be instituted As it is, however, this no.
ton having been made, | shall vote for it most
cheerully and with great pleasure. think il is a
measure due much more TO the foreign funcuonary
whose name has been mixed up with this calumny
than II is due to ourselves. Whilst he is here con-
ductlng himself a gentleman, and violating
none Of the decorums OF his position, a common
sense Of the courteous hospitality due to the repre-
sentative of great people, should lead US to pro-
tect and defend his reputation with as much aoIic-
tude as our own. think in this our repuu-
ton needs no yindicaton. The charges will find no
echo IN the bosom Of single intelligent and yrtuous
man throughout the wide expanse of this Union.
These charges involve, at fell swoop, not only
the entire wing party Of this body-of whom do
not speak-but also necessarily involves very near.
La half Of H. Il
benches; and not only that but by imputaton OF
inevitable necessity must involve as in some way
connected with this nrigue-ifit be made success
full in It's results-the President Of the United
States-the Chief Magistrate of their own choice.
Sir, what could be effected by any intrigue ema-
mating from the whig benches alone What could
the wing members Of themselves dor Indeed. what
could they do if they had accessions from the on
posite seats Of the great democratic party of the
country unless in the Chief Magistrate of the Union
the consPrators found cooperation and assistance
shall, therefore, vote for the resolution.
MIR. SPElGHT said: 1t has been very properlv
remarked by the honorable senator from North
Carolina, who has just resumed his seat, that not
only is the whole wing portion Of the Senate-with
one or two implicated in this charge,
but nlso portion of the democratic party; and of
the latter have every reason to believe that am one
Of the individuals against whom this poisoned shaft
Of calumny has been aimed. | feel il due therefore
o.
nihed their confidence in me by sending me here
that should rise in my place and most phatically
deny that have any knowledge of any intrigue
either amongst honorable senators or Tue upposte
party or those with whom have the honor to be DO
litically associated have attended no caucus with
the single exception Of at the beginning of the
session, when you, sir, refused the privilege OF
appointing the committees of this body. As a mat
ter Of course and of necessity assembled toeeth-
er on that occasion for consultation relative to the
proPrety OF the course TO be pursued. But in ref.
erence to this transaction | say here in nv place
that although have been summoned, have NOT
obeyed the call, and have attended any caucus
whatever In reference to this matter The first init
nation had of the amendment offered by the hon.
orsbe senator from Georgia, was, believe. from
my friend from South Carolina and never heard
it till it was read, when made up nv mind tina,
with the view of concating all parties, and securing
as large majority as possible or this great cues.
ton and anxious at the same time to follow the ex.
ample Of the other house, would vote for thai
amendment with some slight modification. That Il
was the result of any caucus, believe to be wholly
anfounded; and here in my place, soemnly repeat
that have attended no caucus on this subject, en-
tered into any consultation regarding it, with apv
individual, more than that which has taken place
on occasion of my casual meeting with honorable
senator's IN this hall. deem it also nv duty to re-
mark that, from the beginning, Tbave not regarded
this ss party question have not regarded h al
queSuoh Oh WHICH wings should be arrayed against
democrats, or democrats against wings have re-
garded it as great American question, bv which
all party lines were broken DOWNFALL party feelings
and influences swallowed up. Accordingly. when
have met my whig friends in This room have CON.
versed with them freely this great question. with an
unaffected and earnest desire that all difference, ~
opinion might be removed, so that when the honr
Of action comes, and we are called upon to vote we
may be able to present an undivided front Rnt
that have entered into any intrigue with the view
of thwerting or influencing in any way the course
Of the administration, ia utterly false. need not
say that am the personal, as well as the political,
friend Of the PRESIDENT and on all questions, unless
my conscience compels me to differ from him
shall yield him my sincere support. That con-
slider it my duty to do and take this occasion. in
conclusion, to say, that although have been held ND
to the world as an enemy ofthe Executive mean
that have been classed with faction of the demo.
cratic party who are represented as united with the
wings for the purpose Of driving him from his pur-
tmay turn out in the sequel of the business
that am more his friend than some Of those now
pointed to as his exclusive friends
Mr.. CALHOUN was understood to saw that in
the absence of the senator from Georgia [Mr. Col
eUiTT,] he deemed it his duty to say that he had
In z.