Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-02-20

cred they themselves, meanwhile pronouncing their
contradiction. Sir obliged TO speak freely this sub
ject Now the question is, what to do Gentlemen
say you lake away this privilege, you will make the editor
popular. Be il SO; that is consideration Of
1t is 10 do duty, be il what will do not admire
these questions of expectancy do not hold to inqurng
how it going operate public opinion if we do this
do that DO that which is right and take the
quences Now, we have an important duty to perform
the representatives of the sovereign States bound
70 protect responsibility and standng because upon that
responsibility depends influence upon the affairs Of the
nation Now, ask if individual nsulled in this out
ageous manner, would he leave his door open for the
trance Of him who had insulted him No, sir. He would
very Justly refuse him admission. But you do take this
course you publish to the world that editor may
what he pleases of YOU and you will not it. put
to gentlemen, would you in your case And If
not would you act upon less high principles regard the
representatives of the sovereign States than you would in
gard to yourselves Individually Sir have hesitation in
this matter am prepared to give my vote firmly, strongly
shall not trouble the Senate amy further in regard to it,
Mr. CASS desired to say few words only. In the first
place, in respect to the proposition He thought the whole
which had been pursued in relation to this matter
clearly showed that if the Senate had pronounced udg
ment the first day of the discussion by the adoption the
resolutions they would have inflicted punishment
cent party 1t had afterwards been clearly asceaned that
the reporters guiess Of any fault There could be
reason therefore, for their exclusion He speaking
in regard to the second resolution.
He did undertake defend the article published the
Unon He thought in exceedingly bad taste but,
when ne said this he must further say that in regard the
reputation of the Senate, the property of the country
II among its most valuable properly from the very nature
Of the functions which they called to perform. The
fuence of the body from the very character of services
must be very great And here citizen of the United
States allowed the privilege of entering this chamber. He
could be excluded, matter of course, well from this
chamber as from their library, any other place which
they had control But they going do this with
out motive He submitted that it was worth while
pursue this subject 1t altogether useless controversy
Mr. BRIGHT proposed to draw comparison between the
language which had been used by the Senator from Florida
Mr WEsrcorT) this morning, applied to the President Of
the United States, the Heads of Departments and the
Houses Of Congress- and that which had been termed the libel
lous article published in the Union.
Mr.. WEBSTER. If the Senator will allow me, will sug-
gest in the utmost spirit of Kindness that he will be quite
Of order in making any such comparison he proposes
make for is well known rule of the Senate that
Der always privileged say what he peaes and that
comparison dsrespecul to him can be made make this
| suggestion in all Kindness. f
Mr. BRIGHT said that he accepted the suggestion in the
spirit in which made, and he would relieve the
Senator from any fear of the violation Of order by saying that
he would not respass upon any rule Of the Senate he
did, he hoped the Senator would call him to order The
editor of the Union charged he UNDERSTOOD with pub
fishing libel which libel charged certain members Of the
Senate with being associated with foreign enemy. He
understood the Senator from Florida this morning say that
he believed that the people of the United States knew
the fraud and corruption which existed the part of the Pre-
sden the Senate and the House of Representatives Of the
United States they would rise in their strength and throw them
all into the Potomac.
Mr.. WESTCOTT and said the Senator from Indiana
had got what he said all wrong He said such things
he had imputed to him. And Mr. W., having it, he said,
| in writing before him, repeated what he did say
Mr.. BRIGHT proceeded. He admits it, then and
ask, Mr. PRESIDENT whether does greater
libel not only this body but the House Of Representatives
and the Executive, than the alleged libel in the Union "
Yet that is the declaration of Senator protesting to belong
TO the Democratic party Sir ask him for his proof.
wi he
party to which he processes belong floating in this
corruption Can he answer Can he point to fact
which susains his allegation He is silent Sir his silence
believe that that allegation just worth about
much his declaration that the present Chief Magistrate
if before the people, could carry single township.
take for granted that his speech is all of piecea leas
that portion Of it which refers the party which he pro
sses to belong and the present standing of the Executive
/ the nation.
The Reporter has omitted what course of proceed
ing followed the debate. We know, however, that the Sc
cond resolutions which proposed exclude the Reporters
the Union, withdrawn and that the first resolution
which excludes the Editors of the Union from the privilege
Of the floor Of the Senate for having uttered libel upon thu
character Of that body passed by the following
YEAS.-Messrs. Archer, Badger, Berrien, Butler Cal
honu, Cilley, Thomas Clayton John NJ Clayton Corwin
Crttenden Davis Dayton Evans Greene Huntington, Jar
pagn, johnson, of Louisiana, Mangum, Miller, Morehead
pearcc. Simmons, Uphsm Webster Wescott, Woodbridge
Yulee-27.
NAYS-Messrs. Allen, Ashley, Atchison Atherton Bag
by, Breese Bright Cameron Cass Chalmers Dickinson
Sonle, Sturgeon, Turney-91.
message received from the President Of the UniteG
States which read and referred The Senate adjourned
4