The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-15


tor and through him the liberty OF the press and carry
ing out the principles of the old sediton and the law OF
contempts and punishment for breach OF privilege, and so
forth Nor do l. MIR. President, regard the position
which the editors of the Union hold 10 this body as
its printers as any way affecting this subject, or hav-
ing any bearing on the question. All the Senate can
properly do, with respect to their printers IS 10 re-
auire them to do their printing faithfully. What pro-
prety may require OF the printers IN Their course towards
the body which elected them TO such oliee It can DC
called an office of the Senate, different matter
This was motion TO dismiss them as printers, and
if such motion had been made, should not have iel
myself at liberty to vote for IT. even lhe assault mao
The action OF the Senate invoked by the resolution IN
no way interfered with impaired any rights or prlv.
eges the editors can have IN thelr cpaG as printers Oh
the Senate, The resolution If adopted rs, IN my OPINION
but the exercise by the Senate, as body OF the same
right that any citizen has TO exclude from his house. and
declining to hold intercourse within his own aomcll
with any person that he believes has hbeed SANDER
ed him. done him any gross injustice. Tins Is the sum
and substance of it nothing more and nothing else
troll of this chambers Will any contend that any
man may, under all circumstances insist upon his right
TO admission this floor or IN the reporters gallery,
without the permission of the Senate ask what right
has the editor reporters OF any newspaper to such ad-
mission superior TO that of any other citizen? From
whence is such alleged right derived ask senator's
plain and simple fact this: by your rules, or by the
courtesy of the Senate without express rule, (and have
not examined whether there Is such express rule
referring such editors, reporters or printers OF the
Senate not, for regard it mmateral, lnasmdch, II
such rule exists say the courtesy cannot be
withdrawn by its repeal in this mode by the Senae,) you
have allowed them such favor. The honorable gentle
then proceeded TO inquire into the character OF
the publication referred to- IN order to ascertain
rendered themselves amenable TO the Senate He said
Being satisfied sir to the right and duty OF the Senate
to acl as the resolutions OF my col league suggest-h
proper eXssthe remaining inquiry 49, is the pres
ent such case? | knew nothing OF the resolutions OF
my colleague till after they had been submitted l. was
not consulted with respect to them had not read the
he
offered That article one here, or elsewhere, that
have heard Of has defended 1t is gross wanon at
for clause in a b that they regarded violation Of the
constitution they had sworn to support they are held up
as fellow soldiers and compatios of Santa Anna and
fighting the battles of the MeXicans this floor The
editors of the Union are, by the acknowledged laws OF
the press responsible for the articles that appear in it,
whether purportng to be editorial or anonymous Espe-
the article If the venerable editor of the Union, in the
three days allowed him by the postponemento this ques
lion, with senators pnrposely to afford HIM such OPP
portunty, had retracted, explained or apologiZed oI
the publication, while should have voted for the first
part of the first resolution OF my colleague declaring the
article be libel should not have voted for his ex-
pulsion Ii he had stated that the publication OF the ar
cle was navertent, though hold an editor as respon-
sbe for all communications of this character that appear
in his columns, should have been disposed to have have
done. No pallation of this insult or offence has
been offered On the contrary, it is repeated; 1t Is
attempted to be justified; the bold stand is taken that il
true and additional insult added to primary outrage
ask senators if they have read the Union of the nex
night after the offensive articles were OF the
night before last and that of last nght The editorial first
noticing these resolutions anything but conciiang to
the whose feelings had been so deeply wounded
by the first attack He is sneered at as the youngest
of the youngest State in the uDl0n and IN othe
phrases which mistake intentionally dis
courteous; and So too, in the next paper "Vindicator
is allowed in the same strain TO refer TO him as nex,
perenced and innocent, and by not presumed
TO know much,' &c. and the first assault is justified
openly and boldly. In the last paper half column Of
editorial is devoted to my colleague written IN the same
one of the members of that party. And WI hat for' To
resent revenge what it deems encroachment its
right mpute to that senator treason without his
senting it We have heard great deal about union and
harmony and forbearance from this press very affecting
homes about suppressing private gries and dsappoin
of the spirit of Cancellation should have been allowed to
control this editor this subject He should have
Elected that he inflicted in his press the first wrong; and
while he asks the people of this country to eTcuse
Thing to the spirit Of Hbery he should, if he be-
eved he right have excused something 10 the hon
est excitement OF an honest man, accused of monsous
CRIME. SO far from any concession beng made TO
soothe the feelings OF those senators who had beer
thus asssaled the wrong. is persisted in the ar
attack was not inadyertent, but was premeditated
intentional the result Of determined course
Sir the whole course of the Union for many months has
been of the character My belief is that this
has contributed in small degree to the present deora
BILE distraction of the democratic party 1t has tended tc
ALLEVIATE from the administration some of the best and
nuncation-actuai dcnunciations of prominent members
of the party the coarsest and grosses TERMS have been
again and again in its columns. What manner OF
men is il supposed by those who control that press The
democratic party composed of Is it thought tina
senators and representatives or private citizens to BE-
course The honorable gentleman then went on tc
comment article which had appeared in the Rtch
mond Enquirer, signed "Questor,' in relation to The
French spoiaon bill, and conended great length tina
was gross libel on the Senate He then insisted tina
the President should have interered and censured thu
again. the course pursued in this chamber on these reso
utions, especially that of the honorable senator from
Tennessee the only democratic senator from the Pres
dents State who, according to the natural orde
of things, would be selected this floor his mouth
piece, expressing his views and opinions this subject
objects and purposes of this attack. The honorable
aor gave point and direction to the attack in mode
and manner that no one could mistakes and in referring
to the next presidential canvass, to the honorable senator
from South Carolina, and to a supposed 'baance OF
power party existing here, led by the honorable
coaescng with the wings liz their votes to affect the
next presidential election what could the senator from
Tennessee have meant but that the senator from South
Carolina and his friends seeking to advance his pros
poets for the next presidency at the of
ddae to be proposed as the candidate OF the administration
Mr. President has it to this that the simple fact
the friends OF any distinguished statesman of this
try prefernng him for the Presidency to member
an administration in power, sufficient justification fo
the administration press denouncng him and his friends
traitors if peradvenure they should differ with such an
administration on question OF constitutional idU2 MIR
President do not believe that the people OF this country
are devoted welded TO Mr.. Polk aad his admin.
istraon as to Justify such assaults, to countenance
opinion that subject do believe that, if Mr.. Polk
ventures to become candidate the next presidential