New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-02-26
Col. Bonton'- speech-Mr. CaIhoun's Reply.
Prom our own Correspondent
VI II

NAstiiNGroSi wednesday Feb -.
Col. BEsroS made bitter malignant, and per.
sonal attack upon Mr. CALHOUN tO-day-to which
the Southeruer listened or seemed to listen. with
the most supercilious noucha'arcs
Mr. BFSToN made Mr.. CALHoUS tie sole cause
OF var He undertook TO prove that u was the
treaty aade by Mr. CALHOUN for the annexation Of
Texas thai the original fountain Of all the erils
We now labor under The Wings have always
eontenaed, what the most Conscientious Demo.
Gratis are now willing Il allow. that Annexation
was the cause the primary ,auss. the only cause
Of war with Mexico Bat It wa the ANNEXATION Of
Texas-a measure for the accomplishment of which
Mr. BOSTON was equally culpabe a. the other
abe,tors Of the scheme-and not the reject4 treaty.
Of Mr. CALHouS. that brought on the war hvas
our invasion Of Mexican territory that induced t.,
existence Of hostilities
Mr. BESroS undertook also to show that Mr.
CaLHouss course hsd tended to strengthen Abo-
litionism bat the Aboitionists themselves would
prefer the manly frank ayowed hostility OF Mr.
ClLHouS to the time serving policy Of Mr. BESroS
and his associates the latter formerly distinguish
ed themselves by unmeasured deuunciation Of any
sttemp, to promote free discussion on this subject
I
professions Of regard for equal liberty.
Mr. BENToS spoke low. very low. 10 is his at.
fsctaiion 10 speak in subdued terms. that he may
attract in close proximity other members of the
Senate. He was not audible on the opposite side
OF the Senate.
There is method in this attack upon Mr.. Cal
HoUS Mr.. BENTON leads no iorlOrn hope. The
main body Of the army accompanies him Heis in
/ fact Lieutenant General Of the regular army of
/ Democrats in this civil war The trophies which
he wins in the contest may not be glorious as he
I hoped to win IN bis proposed Lieut. Generalshp
/ but the struggle may be as much TO his taste and
more commensurate with his abilities
/ Mr. CALHOUN may be driven to the position Of an
/ armed neutrality He csnnor coalesce with the
I Wings and the Democrats will not coalesce with
/ him He has maintained himself in such position
before, and with marked ability.
Several Senators are DESTROYS OF speaking TO the
/ bill . among others Gen. GREENE Of II. l. / hope
the occasion will be offered to him. He has a sound
ANALYTICAL mind and will make an excellent speech
/ Saturday is the day selected By the general con
sent Of the Senate for vote on the bill previous
l 10 which. 10 is expected Mr. DAVIS of Mass vii
move as an amendment the WILWcr Proviso, and
make a speech thereon.
Ii is the intention | am told. Of the AdmInistra
/ ton 10 attempt the substitution Of the Missouri
Compromise line tor the Proyiso which might pass
the Senate but probably would not the House.
/ Mr. CALHOUN replied 10 Mr. BENTON in calm and
/ temperate language He defended himself from
the charges made by Mr. b. with dignity aud with
ability. Tie again accused the Administration Of
| laundering into this war. It's first mistake pre-
/ coded the march of Gen. TAYLOR upon the Rio
Grande II was the ENHANCEMENT of the Mexican
with the Oregon question that was the real cause
/ the catsQ cgusGus Of the war. The Administra
tion ecpita,ed itself into two foreign dificultc
at once; and. he might have added. without ability
b manage either. The settlement Of the Oregcr
question has exposed the Administration TO mucl
rdicule. lbs management Of our relations Will
Mexico has exposed, and viii expose. the country
/ 20 great disgrace, misery and loss. Never before
did such a weak Administration inflict so much evil
upon a country cursed with It's power Of direction
! From what | learn fear Col WEBB viii not be
appointed Brigader General OF the United States
| Volunteers. | fear he will be disappointed a
Democratic member from our State told me last
night that Mr. Senator CLARK was % have the
place-that neither the President nor NJ MARCY
had ever entertained the slightest intention OF ap
pointing Col WEBB II such be the case, am
afraid that the Colonel has been imposed upon
In the HOUSE, the principal fact accomplished was
| the establishment Of certain Post Routes and the
increase Of the compensation Of Postmasters whose
salaries. under the operation Of the new law, had
diminished % almost invisibility.