The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-21

alton OF the greatest beneiacio OF the age in which
his countrymen from vice that perhaps, has destroyed
more OF its victims than the most insidous pestilence
Sir, IN comforting honor upon distinguished philan-
thropsf what may be his opinions the subject OF sa-
very neither know nor do inquire have no seAsi.
biy sir that be excited by such small matters as
the expression OF any sentiments as mere individual
opinion suppose that nobody can misconceiye my
general sentiments in connexon with the subject of sla
very; but sir this institution, whether for veal for wo.
may defy such weak assaults II is based upon iounda
ton that may defy danger from such cause and scorn
justification Sir DO not suffer that consideration 70
am willing to make this precedent il there has been
no such precedent hitherto 1 know Of none but am
willing to make one, as an homage to individual who
have already said the greatest beneiactor Of man
have never laid my eyes upon this distinguished man.
but revere his character and would extend 70 him
every testimonial OF courtesy; and If had the means,
there is no benefit which an honorable man could BE-
stow, or an honorable man receive, which would not
do hope that we shall not allow this discussion to run
on into matters wholly disconnected with IL and upon
which there will be future occasions perhaps many
entire body. am willing to extend this privilege to
this distinguished gentleman, from considerations OF strict
personal courtesy and fitting .estim0nal i, Of that
| Mr.. BUTLER. Mr. Presides., I was somewhat sur
prsed, sir, when heard this resolution offered ap
e ne az r ~ an eo As
ference drawn, from the vote that shall give upon this
OCCASION Of upon the reverend gentleman whose
name is before the Senate, for strongly inclined to
believe that he is not fully understood BY the gentle
men on either side who have spoken on the subject
happened to be in Columbia when message was
received by very distinguished genteman-a friend
of mine-who has taken leading part in the temper
ance movement in South Carolina and in many of the
southern States. That gentleman had just received
letter from Judge Lumpkin, of Georgia, who had in
some measure, discouraged Father Mathew from visit
ing tina, State but who wished e confer with my friend
Il In mt ink was ractlv from sgen
himself but his inference was that Father Mathew
intended to keep aloof, far possible, from being
and that he wished to confne himself exclusively the
cause Of temperance, which he had long and SO faith
fully served In doing that, he had dcultpar play;
and in endeavorng to do H. it may be that he has given
occasion for being misunderstood at both ends Of the
Union The inference OF my friend was that SO far from
os bea e he
accordance with the spirit OF our nsttutions-the idea
that the people Of the whole country entitled TO the
equal enjoyment of the territories which belong TO all
However, in this sir, may not be correctly representing
the sentiments Of the reverend geneman-I speak only
Of the impression that was left upon the mind of my
friend.
But sir shall vote to lay the resolution on the table
for different reason II is extraordinary resolution
do not remember any precedent for it as having occur
red during the period that have been here And, sir
Father Mathew had been introduced into this hall by the
invitation OF any member OF the Senate will not say
dspguihsd member but By any member Of the
any quarter and there would have been no occasion
for establishing this precedent
Mr. President il is well known that the precedent Of
to day is the prescription OF to morrow and If you pass
resolution OF this kind you w in spite OF the ayowal
Of gentlemen have mingled with poh'!cs and perhaps
mems neutrality-suspicious. to the politics of this section or
Of that section.
Father Mathews name might be used by those who
hosse to do SO for purposes perhaps, very far remote
from those which he would choose to entertain II is on
OF this that do not choose designate him. by
the passage Of this resolution, as an extraordinary man.
be N L a
not choose TO put him upon the historical page with
Lafayee and, as the pecedens OF the Senate can make
prepared to cheaper the privileges and honors OF this
Senate chamber
Phese are my views, and for these reasons I forbear
wholly, MIR President to enter upon the discussion OF
some topics which have been freely INDUCED here.
look upon them, also, with too profound interest TO
make them the subject Of declamaiory remark on col
lateral questions OF this sort know that these issues
will come and when they do come, wish them 10 come
in the gravest and most imposing FORM for the debera
Mr. DICKINSON. An honorable senator has thought
proper to introduce resolution, giving TO this distn
gushed stranger and great moral refomeI the privileges Of
this floor He believed to have accomplished great good
both in the Old World and the New, in advancing the
temperance reformation; TO which mission OF good
will and field of labor here he has been siudious
induced the introduction OF the resolution, and are the
reasons and the only reasons, why shall vote Tor IT.
The other Questions which have been introduced here
said, they will be upon enough, and be sufl
GENTLY embarrassing when necessarily and directly pre-
sented and TO such time LEI them stand postponed.
Mr. BADGER. l agree, MI. President with the re
marks which have been made BY my honorable colleague
Mr MANGUMl that this resolution should not have been
introduced but do not agree that ipasmuch il has
been introduced when ought not TO have been, that
fact should furnish for voting in favor Of it,
wish, sir, TO state the reasons why vote as intend
TO do, without complcatng the question with collateral
question either OF temperance abolition The Senate
my judgment, ought not TO adopt this resolution In
the first place, is resolution without precedent,
far as know and far as am able TO hear from gen.
tlemen around me, who have been for a much longer
time members Of and acquainted with the precedens OF
this body. say, sir, II Is resolution without prece.
General Lafayette can be considered forming pre-
cedent for a case like this.
He stands upon such grounds OF pre- eminence dis
tngush him necessarily from any and from every man
not citizen OF the United States, TO whom honors could
be proposed by the people Of the United States II them
the establishment OF precedent And now, Mr. Pres
dent, let us look little ahead and the consequences
10 be produced by establishing this precedent,
In refusing TO adopt this resolutonin laying this res
oluon on the table, as intend to propose doing, upon
the grounds which have suggested-we pass no judg
the resolution refers But il this resolution be adopted
what is TO be the consequence This session, the next
session, and so far can see, for imabe, In.
terminable period OF time, 10 have successive
resolutions presented to this body for granting special priv
leges and favos distinguished individuals We must
pass them all reject them ALL pass judgment upon
the merits OF the individuals whose names are submitted
10 By rejecting and adopting others, every time
that is rejected il is declaration OF this Senate
against the fitness OF the individual TO be admitted 10 the
honors conferred proper occasions BY this body wei
all ha tha member