The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-03

the Senate, Tor The purpose OF consuitauoh inns nc
did not deem necessary He had been called upon 10
arrange this difficult affair, and appears not to have been
expected TO confer with aRy other person. 1t would
appear that he did not go specially in pursuit oil MI
Webser's amendment; accident placed IT in his hands;
he found" it, Happily for the Godlike's reputation as
statesman, Mr. Seward could discover no serious
deficiencies in his amendment fortunately for his literary
fame, MIR. Seward has declared him capable of writing
English prose least "tersely" if not with polished
elegance. Let no man hereafter doubt Mr. Websters
skill a draughtsman of legislative formula Mr..
Seward has declared him to be quite respectable in this
line What was Mr.. Stewards next grand movement
He shall have liberty to speak for himself:
81 took Mr.. WebseI's amendment" says he, sand bav.
ing shown it 10 Mr. Ewing, who left the whole subject
my Judgment visited many members Of the House
Repre- sen latives, and urged the adoption of it,"
Observe gentle reader, the "whoe subject" slavery in
cluded of course, is left to Mr. Stewards judgment
Generous confidence truly! More generous than wise,
we opne And now what did he do when thus exor-
bitanily trusted Listen 10 him:
''Mr Vinton chairman OF the Committee of Ways and
Means, informed that the committee would report
the amendment, with slight notifications TO which
did not object "
Had he objected of course the notifications proposed
must have been dispensed with, for what wing would
have dared resist the mandate of this supposed special
nuncio from the President eect The remainder of this
extraordinary card is, if possible still richer Thus does
it proceed;
spent residue of the day urging the adoption of the
amendment of the Committee of Ways and Means upon
the members OF the House.
How much the country is indebted to him for his her
cuean exertions! How will poserity applaud the won
drous success which crowned his patriotic labors But
his persevering zeal had not yet exhausted itself. His
tolls were only half accomplished He had managed
this nsdious amendment through the House. Could
he ,smugge it through the Senate? The night was
passing away; the hour of midnight had arrived. He
might find honorable senators slumbeng at their posts
he night find thin Senate-though, of course, he well
knew that his own cherished allies were in waiting, N
obedience previous monton, and ready to cooperate
with him in this insidous attempt to keep all the
laws of Mexico in force in California He mgh find
honorable senators weary struggle further against
the free soil principle, willing to allow it TO pass in
order to the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill
from defeat. The experiment worth trying at any
rate. The experiment essayed but, thanks to the
vigilance and energy of the democratic members of the
Senate, this amendment was after all, defeated; but not
until after of the ercest struggles that ever took
place in any deliberative assembly in the world
"When (says Mr. Seward) it Uhe amendmenD had
been adopted there, lin the House) returned the SEN
chamber and exered myself to procure the Of
the Senate to the amendment, and insisted that differ
eat provision should pass
This would be really amusing, 1t not that it is SC
well calculated to provoke Indignation and disgust Mr.
Seward is not yet sworn in as senator; the accom-
pshed Dix and the Roman like Dickinson alone emit
tied represent the State of New York in the national
Senate and yet here is Mr. Seward, whose voice could
not by possibility be heard in the Senate chamber until
the 4th of March should arrive actually engaged in urg
ing solemnly upon the grave members OF that body
the most offensive proposed in Congress- anC
even going far insist that provision but this
which he had so adroitly managed through the House
should be allowed to receive the sanction Of the Senate
Such instance of egregious presumpon--we must cal
spade spade-as this, have heard of before
Such oficous and indecent intcrmeddng with the legis
atve business of Congress has scarcely before beer
witnessed that august theatre. Scarcely since the
serpent foand in Eden, asqua the of Eve,
has subtle deception been adopted. Well nigh
Gen Foote excaim, as he did, whilst this vile amend
ment was before the Senate, {" The Senate is called
upon after midnight, to sanction the designs, the un
principed designs, OF those who would lead us into
work of damna,ion so profound, that should perpe-
trate it. all the waters of the ocean would not wash
garments clean again"
81 continued my efforts" says Mr.. Seward, "unt the
Senate decided disagree The amendment of tie Com
mitee of Ways and Means of the House"
He concludes thus:
alt well known tina, the whole design of government
Tor California failed by reason OF that disagreement"
| And now we ask, what sensible man, supposng
| Mr. Stewards whole statement to be true, will here
after doubt by whose efforts that the amend
ment of Mr. Walker defeated and California
left without a government and laws suited to her
condition, and indispensable to the present safety and
future happiness OF fellow-czens in that dis
tant region' To MIR. Seward and his allies in the
two houses of Congress is it owing that this vexed
question is kept open Tor future agitation and domestic
strife This is the state of things know most favor
tions But how is it with General Taylor? Is he
thankful to Mr.. Seward for his patriotic services in
this AFFAIR." Is Mr. Clayton grateful to him for defeat
ing this plan of compromise, which would most
probably have been part of the law of the land but
for Mr. Stewards superservceabe industry What must
the whole South think of General Taylors dscre-
ton in calling this abolitonst carry through
Congress such amendment this of Mr.. Seward
by fraudfu appliances and midnight management
What especially, will Virginia think of MIR. Stewards
responsibility thus assumed by politician who is Justly so
peculiarly odious to all her patriotic sons
We shall weary readers with further comments
upon this fruitful topic present. but we take leave in
IN ale