The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-13


has prevailed for the last three days in this city The
Senate ehamberhas been the great OF attraction,
and the denouement OF the drama has been exhibited in
the vote OF this evening, WHICH expes the editors
OF the Union from their Privileged seats. All the
democratic senators have voted against the infamous
resolution, except those whose names inserted
below. They have united with the federal party
in the Senate in the miserable frivolous attempt to
attach moral degradation upon the character OF the edi-
tors of this paper The bond is sealed, the coalition
complete between these four and the regularly organ
lied opposition 10 the present administration and the great
democratic party OF the Union In VAN has this admins
traton struggled and succeeded in carrying out the great
and fundamental principles OF the democracy 1t has done
more towards reforming the abuses of the government
and putting the shp upon the republican tack" than
any other President who has had the power to perfect
these reforms, since the days of Thomas Jefferson We
boldly and earessy pronounce the fact in the face of
the verdi In vain have we strven utmost for
nearly the two last years, and devoted every energy of
mind and body, in cooperating with friends of
the administration in achieving these important pur-
poses And now, because the leader of little clique
processing to belong to the democratic party has become
soured and dissatisfied he and they have united with the
fedealiss to strike at us and through us strike AT
the administration and to effect that object they have
rushed on strike down the liberty of the press con-
secrated is by all the strongest principles of the de
mocracy and embamed in the memory of every republ
can by the protests OF Jefferson and of Madison against
the prosecution of VIM. Duane, and still more remarka
bly, against the prosecuting spirit of the seaition law of
old black -cockade federalism.
Tell us not that it was this particular communication of
h.. Il Al
our devoted head "Vindicator" might have spoken in
more courty phrase but he spoke with an honest zeal
for the honor of his country eopardzed he believed
it to be- by the opposition in the Senate, Consisting Of
the Federal party and the small balance party of that
boiy) "Vndicator" might have employed more courtly
and polished phrasebut he virtually spoke the truth as to
the consequences OF their He believed the defeat of
the ten regiment bill calculated TO weaken the sup
plies of the nation in the against Mexico and there
fore he spoke of Mercan uietory and for speak
ing the truth to the virtual consequences of the VOTE
he denounced that vote and gave the petext the
mics OF the Mexican to strike at uso strike at the
admnisration-and, by so doing, to strike down the
liberty Of the press.
The federal press persecues the President without any
moderation 1t abuses him in the most vruent manner
1t heaps charge upon charge like Peion upon Ossa upon
his devoted head There is punishment for them.
They are free from all responsibility. And yet the
tors must punish every free press which publishes any
communication criticizing their What gives them
higher claim than the President of the United Stass'
We defy them all and appeal from ambitious leaders
and their supple followers to the people themselves.
They will not desert the cause. What becomes of is
of little account We are but atoms in powerful
,f No
no commiseraton upon ourselves. We defy any coali-
ton between the federal party and the mongre party OF
the Senate to degrade us to nure the administration,
or to stab the great constitutional principle of free press
and free discussion For one, repeat nail our
Aa to the mast and under that glorious flag pre-
pared to stand or to fall.
The strong and indignant sentiment OF the democratic
party flowed in upon this evening We have not time
date upon the subject but content ourselves with
laying before readers as a specimen of the rising
spirit OF the party, the following extract of note address
ed TO us by one OF the abes and most distinguished
publicans of this city
81 cannot withhold my word Of appreciation and en-
enlargement your controversy with the Senate In the
first place, you did than your duty in letting that
BODY know that il amenable through the press TO the
people for its conduct You will remember advised you
to this weeks and suggested to you that at the
head of strong democratic journal OF this country you
welded a greater power than any member or Clique
upon that floor Perhaps il was prudent for you to
wait until public opinion in regard to the course OF
Congress- had fully developed itself IN the country
That time has certainly arrived; and was reolced
the spirit of the people reflected IN the columns OF
the Union. And the attempt to muzzle You WILL be re-
gared everywhere attempt to stlfe the free voice
of the press So far you have nobly vindicaed It, Your
articles have been lofty dignifed, and patrioc-ust
such as the and the occasion demanded; And
only triumph in this controversy with the Senate but
the inexperienced gentlemen who have permitted them
selves be used the instruments OF Others Will have
to endure the modification of ignomnious defeat in
public opinion"
We have time only, this late hour in the night, TO
subjon few more remarks which grew out Of the
of this memorable day We inform the country then, that
at late hour this afternoon the Senate of the United
States perpetraed gross outrage upon the liberty OF the
press, bv the adoption OF the following resolutions:
Resoiped That the editors OF the Uniona newspaper
published in the city of Wasngionhaving, in publca-
lion contained number of that paper dated the 9th OF
February, issued aDd uttered public libel upon The char
Of this body they be excluded nom the privilege oil
admission to the floor OF the Senate
Ii is our purpose, without delay, to express at some
length our views upon the whole character OF this pro-
ceeding upon the purposes which it designed TO
complsh the pretences alleged to justify it, and the
combination of agencies out of which it grew. We
shall deem it our duty to hold the doors of this deed to
the whole of their just responsibility before the people
We shall spare effort to present TO the country all the
facts and all the considerations upon which sound
judgment in this case depends.
We shall begin the discussion of this subject in our
next publication, when our reporters will lay full