Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-02-25
Interesting Episode in the Senate.

was under discussion ON FRIDAY ~ the Senate, an
episode occurred Of very exciting character, the
report Of which presents some rich points
Mr. TuRNRv Of Tennessee, in defending Father
Richie took occ aston TO administer rebuke to
Mr. CALHOUN, charging him as the head Of third
party in the Senate with having brought upon the
administration all the calamilies it had suffered -
This he did in terms sufficiently pointed, though
without calling Mr. CALHOUN by name Being call.
ed upon for more explicit statement OF what he
meant, Mr. I. said there was in the Senate a small
party OF men, among whom there was al least one
espiranl for the Presidency, he who could carry his
friends one way or the other upon every great
question. He did not know that the party was or.
ganised bat its head was.
Mr. CALHOUN 1--WE follow the report Of The
Herald) denied that he an aspirant TO the Pres
idcncy. He had never been an aspirant He
would not turn upon bis heel for the Presidency
The charge of the Senator was libel upon him
Ar G. was glad the Senator had called attention TO
his course He had seen these insinuations, and
had heard them, but had regarded them as nothing
He was not to be drawn from his conscientious
convictions Of duty They could not drive him
into u support of this war, because he saw then
what we now oil see, and the end is moi yet. The
Presidency is a respectable office, bat he would
Their be an independent Senator, acting for the good
of the country, thaa TO be President OF the United
States, especially Il he were TO be elected as our
Presidents had been for several years past-indeed,
he might say for many years. 4
Mr. TuRNEy REQUIRED to the question Of annexa-
tion and said that as the annexation the cause
Of the war, aud as Mr. CALHOUN did more for the
annexation than any other man, he did more than
any other man 10 bring the war. The Senator
opposed the bill for the Lieutenant General. l do
not say that he did it with reference to the presi-
dency but / give him the fact. His motive may
have been very good one--I do not pretend TO
know his motive but the responsibility Of the
measures OF the present session should rest with
those who have the power, on whichever side they
90, to pass or reject them. Now, | am informed,
the gentleman from South Carolina (for | see j, in
the newspapers) n,ends to vote against this bill Of
three millions.
Mr. I. was understood 10 refer TO the couespon-
dence Of the Charleston Mercury for proof Of the
fact. He disclaimed any libel Of the Senator
lie was also opposed TO the caucus question. i
But he had not Ebeed the Senalor Mr. 4. went
on TO say that Mr. CALHOUN, in 1896, belonged 10
the Wing party-ihat he had opposed the indepen-
deace Of Texas-that he came back to the Demo-
Gratis in 1897 and that il might be shown, il dis
posed to do 50, that upon every important measure
of the Government the Senator from South Caro-
lima had been an advocate Of both sides fIhe ques-
ton. | know, said Mr. TURSEY, Of no measure in
this country in which he has not taken both sides
The gentleman has right TO his opinion but he
ought not to say we libel him, when he has been
found upon both sides of every question. He says
he is not an aspirant for the Presidency; il not,
am not the only man that IS mistaken--the whole
people are mistaken--thc whole public judgment
in wrong-I libel nobody. have plain, blum,
manner of getting along. If he is not an asprani,
predict that his friends intend making him so.-
Whatever he may say, predict that they will run
him ANYHOW. And were he sound upon political
principles, would go for him the anti-caucus
candidate But would never support a man who
interposes obstacles TO the prosecution Of this war;
and by his course indicates his opposition That
objection would be nsurmountable. In future
will sgRpoI. ne MAJ e9ffee For the remain
der of my days shall be governed by principle.
An overwhelming explosion OF Laughter followed
this declaration, Senators and spectators laughing
outright, Mr. Buffers had had an octave higher
than any OF the resi-.
Mr. CALHOUN said he was glad Of this opporun-
Nv, land he really appeared SOY He said that
whatever his friends might do. he would not accent
the Presidency unless it was the voluntary offer Of
the American people, and then it would be from a
sense Of d1iy and not from any aspirations for the
Office | have, said he. FAR higher ambition it is
10 do my duty without reference to parties. Wheh-
er my life will make good this assertion. leave il
10 time 10 decide but speak with conviction Of
lis truth The Senator has only specified one case
Lieut. General I am not alone in that act. There
is not measure, perhaps against which the Amer
lean people are more unanimous.
Mr. e. with some farther remarks on this point,
returned 10 the question ofthe Texas annexation.
and he would go into this waiter now TO some de-
tail, OF the Senate would agree. (Cries OF go ON
YES, yes, go on y He objected TO this undertaking
at first, because the Administration was weak Ma
TYLER's--h had, perhaps, no friends in the Senate
and but two or three in the other House. lie OBJ
jecied TO coming into the State Department then
but his nominations had been UNANIMOUSLY confirm.
ell before his remonsrance had arrived. The
Administration was weak, and that was strong
reason against attempting the Annexation at thai
time. But he had learned that there ras con
spiraey betlCeen the Worlds Convention at London
aud tie A6OiitOnisfs of England, By ,Ohich fata
5toy Das proposed 10 be giren to Siarery. and i
was TO be struck through Texas England sscer
tanned that Texas was about 10 be annexed 10 this
Union, aud be had had information Of letter from
the Worlds Convention 10 Lord ABERDEEN, ia
which twas suggested that fatal blOr might b.
inflicted apoR sSidcery in the United States, in ar
acknowledgements aud support Of the independence
Of Texas, on condition that she would agree to the
abolition of Slavery. There aoas M time therefore
to be lost. II toas case Of necessity. Hence III
Tyler treaty. As TO that treaty gaming The Ric
Grande as boundary. il did no such thing Il lief
the question all open.
Mr. TusNEy said he had understood that the Rio
Grande had been assigned as the boundary.
Mr. CaLHouN said that this. like all the res, o
the Senator'S Understandings, was anisunderstand
ing. The Rio Grande was not fixed as the bonn
Diary il was lefi open to be settled upon liberia
principles, aud a correspondence had been opened
with the Mexican Government upon that very sub
e AZ fbn oh n