The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-03-17
From the Charleston Mercury.
Scene in the Senate.

From the Charleston Mercury
Scene in the Senate.
We copy from the Washington cores
pondence of the Boston Courier, graphic
sketch of a debate in the Senate. The
Courier is decided Whig paper, but is just
to its political opponents, and states their ar
guments with fairness. Its correspondent
partakes of the same spirit, and we have
had frequent ocsasion to mark his libcrality
of sentiment, as well as the general ability
of his letters.
The Hero of San Jacinto addressed the
Senate for upwards of two hours this morn
ing; and it must be admitted that he spoke
with no inconsiderable force and ability.
Some parts of his speech were irrelevant,
diffuse and pointless. But he has happy
flow of language and a pleasant manner !;
and his spirit seems to be of far less ruth
less and rcvengeful nature, than that of some
of the war gentlemen who have addressed
the Senate. His doctrine is, in the conduct
of the Mexican war, "Stril1e home." "We
can conquer Mexico" He undertook to
show, from documents issued from the office
houn was at its head, that the Senator from
then Secretary of State. He likewise as
sailed Mr.. Calhoun's plan of defensive
war, and said the line indicated by him could
not be defended by ten, thousand men.
He closed his remarks in quite happy
manner, by drawing an example from Scrip
ture, and holding it up to illustrate the posi-
ton he assumed for the conduct Of the war.
He desired to strengthen the hands of the
President, even as the arms of Moses were
held up in the combat between the children
of Israel and the Malekitcs. 1t would see m
that they do have Bibles in Texas.
When General Houston sat down, Mr..
Calhoun rose. Senators hoclcd to their
seats, and profound stiffness pervadcd the
chamber. You could have heard pin drop.
Every eye was fixed OH the speaker, and
every face said listen! He triumphantly
despatched the first allegation, by calling
Mr.. Houston to read the whole document
from which he quoted.
The document itself was the Senator's
vindication. He then put, q stopper upon
the general assertion, that ten thousand
men would be required to defend the line
he (Mr. Calhoun proposed to adopt, by ask
ing him how many men Texas had had on
that part Of the line where he, proposed to
establish forts, during which time Mexico
had scarcely ever crossed it, and never with
force of. q thousand men. ~
The General was forced to reply, that the
people had to be their own defenders, and
when the enemy came, they shouldered
their muskets and drove back.
But now came the scene. Mr.. Benton,
Gen. Cass, and others, came to the aid of
the Senator from Texas. A further. collie
guy ensued. Books were brought a flm-
bling of documents commenced, General
Houston stepped outside the bar, and on his
return, said something about Texas having
q force of $500 men. Mr.. Calhoun said
he proposed force of 1000 men to defend
{ q line across which Mexico had not attcmp-
Z ted to pass in eight years. with force of
g 1000 men. But, said Mr.. Calhoun, rising
TO his full height, and looking round upon
the administration Senators who thronged
about him, with a majesty of demeanor
which ain assured consciousness, of power
can only give, said he g / knoao the grOuzd 1
stand upon. IAoue Indicated the course of
the adaninistration., IL I must be JfoLLoaoed.
Gentlemen must comefo IT. Memorable de-
cinration4 Never was any thing more ekc-
# #5tric. Mr. Benton looked daggers. Gen.
nsss ss ss q sf h; re- &C..
Eass' phleg cou1te tenance said only,
55ssl may bs sos' senatnnaA Allen paced up
sdt1i down thef fisle ia aroptsef the Presidents
chair with his hands behind him, r:,arently
aitlsthe avess ard most abstracted ilis6s.
Otlieii ton ID ssiiknf asto osiiiish.
mem, sAt thes onfidencs and dhess of fhe
ION. syss eniy broken