The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-21
N CONGRESS- OF THE U. STATES.
Thirsy-Ftrst Congress First session.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1s49.
SENATE.
The Journal having been read

PRIVILEGE THE FLOOR. tH
The VICE PRESIDENT stated that the first business
before the Senate was the consideration Of the following
esoluon submitted yesterday by the senator from Wis
eonsin, and laid over under the rule: 4stt
R,oip,d That the Rev Theobald Mathew be permitted
to within the bar Of the Senate during the period Of bis
The question being stated upon the resolution,
Mi. CLEMENS rose and said: objected yesterday,
SIR to the adoption Of that resolution, and II would have
been better perhaps to have explained TO the Senate
the reasons which governed my conduct But was then
engaged upon other matters and now take the oppor-
laity TO explain what should then have said OBJECT
TO the passage OF this resolution, because the individual
10 whom il refers has been charged with denouncing one
portion of this conederacy lutte better than band Of
awless pirates, object 70 il, because ne has been
charged with addressing appeal to the people Of this
country, calling upon them to carry on warfare against
Inc institutions Of the South and when he was ad-
dressed respecting the matter BY the chief temperance
or at least refused TO permit that answer to go befo the
public Under these circumstances, do not feel sir,
bat so far my action may 60, could permit resolu-
do not sir, believe slavery to be sin and if it is
SIM it is with which foreigner has no business to
interfere. II listen to the annadversions OF the people
Of sister States with good temper surely is all that can
be asked Of sha therefore, vote against the eso-
luton now, as objected 10 il yesterday. was in his
power to Iepyto ne charges, but be refused e 90 90
Mr. CLAY. Mr. President, confess that have
heard with great regret this opposition made to the adop-
ton Of that resolution 1t is very small affair; COM
pment which cannot be very highly appreciated in some
aspects, 10 Inc reverend person VINO naHeu
that resolution But, sir in the little affairs Of human
life whether social national. have found that cour.
eses kindness, and small attentions are often received
with grateful feelings than those OF more sub
santia character We often appreciate more the pcay
unes than do the double eagles. IN the currency OF
social and human life.
this resolution but it has been offered understand
that according to the usage of the Senate any member
may introduce into the lobby any distinguished person
whom he thinks proper 10 introduce had understood
that ha fha rula Darha ri
it may, think sir, that that resolution is an homage
to humanity, to philanthropy, to virue that IT is mer,
tied tribute who has achieved great social
revoluiion-a revolution in which there has been
boodshed o desoaton inflicted. tears OF widows and
orphans extracted; and Of the greatest which has
n ~ sn o Ss q s
may be- and put il in all seriousness, in spirit OF the
perfect Kindness to the honorable member from Ala
bama whether this pushing the subject q slavery IN It's
collateral and remote branches upon all possible occa
that may arise during our deliberations IN this body
is not impolitic, unwse, and injurious to the stability OF
the very institution which have no doubt the honorable
Sin, I have seen something in the papers upon this
subject of Father Mathews having expressed some
opinions years ago. in Ireland upon the h subject o. sa a.
this country and got nearer and more accurate under
standing of the state of things be refused to lend him
self to the cause Of northern aboonsts and IN conse
quence of that REFUSAL incurred their severest anmad
versions But whether that had occurred or not IN ref
eence other and other motives, submit 1t to
dent. right, just, and proper TO refuse compliment
which, venture 10 say, The hearts OF all mankind ac-
cord TO this distinguished foreigner; compliment no
less due to him o5 h, great services = ,ss saa'e Of hu
Mr.. SEWARD. think, sir, that men often disagree
in regard 10 the merit OF the living but seldom differ IN
regard TO the merits OF the dead This Capitol lis halls
its chambers, and its grounds filed with satuary
memorials OF the lusrous beneiactors OF mankind, oil
other nations well Of own; and these memo
rails are looked upon with pleasure and satisfaction by
all the living But there is painful reflection that oc-
to when raise these monuments 10 the dead.
They convey encouragement TO the benefactor IN
the prosecution OF his philanthrop enterprises They
convey him sympathy In the suerngs which he en-
dures The resolution before the Senate presents very
different occasonan occasion in which we can, without
danger Of error, recognise public beneiactor-a oene
factor OF mankind; and in which the homage which Is
offered is unalloyed by the painful reflection that marble
cannot hear and cannot feel.
need no argument TO be addressed TO me. sir, to con-
that Is unnecessary 10 eG.abiish any connex-
ion between this illustous benefactor OF the human
and country, IN order TO enle him TO the
compliment which II Is proposed to offer him, because
regard the interests Of the American nation as the inter-
ess OF humanity; and whoever, in any part OF the globe,
has relieved The condition Of any portion OF the human
race, look upon entitled 10 the appreciation and The
gratitude OF the American nation.
have aid that there was no danger OF error.
lion, race, interesting from conslng
by Thousand ties-fnds its virtues increased, and the
condition OF its people ameloated, by the labors Of The
obald Mathew Where among the living do we. fad a
man whose works OF benevolence have 30 sendidy and
goriously followed himi
Mr. President should join in this homage-n this act
OF reverence an act OF 10 virtue alone, II
no other reason was offered; but must say with all ffee
DOM and trust that the freedom will be conceded 10 me as
ooncede il others, that since u Is objected that thus
act OF respect shall not be allowed because oil the paicu-
lar opinions OF the person who Is the subject OF H. IN re-
gard 10 slavery must be allowed say, with all respect
that hope the American Senate will give evidence. by the
unanmy with which they pass this resolution, OF this
COMMONWEALTH is almost unanimous, believe amongst
us-that IL slavery be an error, II II be crime II y be
sn we deplore It's existence among Ne and deny the re-
sponsiby OF lis introduction here's and, therefore, that
shall not withhold from .irtue the need which y It's
due because happens be combined IN the person OF one
who exhibits not more devotion TO virtue mas 10 tue
Mr. DAVIS Of Mississippi I arm glad 10 see the sena.
from New York put the question upon something Ike
distinct grounds-to advocate II upon the ground oil the
opinions OF this individual in relation TO slavery YES
SIR 4 am glad 10 hear that now ayowed. We have seen
this country BY discussion for years past WIN ITS
,urb the fraternity Of the United States There was
time sir, when there an American feeling IN tins
country and every man who worthy to be descended
from the sires OF the revolution. turned with oathing
and scorn from the foreign emssary who came here TO
distract our nation Its the degenerate and unworthy sons
take up with foreign preudlces and foreign interference
Sir this is no contest 10 the merits OF him who leads IN
the great cause of temperance THIS is no reflection upon
the great labor he has performed, the beDebcent charae
Ter OF which reaches the heart OF every man we APP
prove all he has done in the cause OF temperance Inc
question is, whether the Uaed oa.es SENATE, SUI
ing upon it, floor those who represent sayeholdng
constituency are TO for extraordinary compliment 70
one known as the ally Of 0Connei and IN whose ex.
pressed opinions he openly conceded II, as the senator
IRON Kentucky says there has been change IN hls SEN
tmens he has refused TO avow thai change, ai'hougn