Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-07-01
DEBATE IN THE SENATE THURSDAY.

The debate in the Senate Thursday on MIR. Soule 8
amendment to the compromise bill, was highly excl
ting and interesting and proracted to late house
We copy the following sketch OF the positions OF
the distinguished speakers who participated IN the de-
bate, from the Southern Press ofFriday:
Mr. Webster led off in one OF his arguments in reply
10 the positions assumed by Mr.. Soule. The pricpal
points to which he directed his attention, were
relating to the boundary, the eminent domain, and the
improperly of the subdvdng the State OF California
In the course of his speech he laid much stress on the
inutv of insisting the division OF California because
only 5000 square miles OF available territory would be
secured by running the line proposed by Mr. Soule'
Mr. Foote followed with a personal explanation as
TO his own position giving his Own views in DETAIL and
quoting largely from Mr. Cahoun's speeches. to sustain
him in the position assumed He expressed his inen,
ton of voting for the Missouri Compromise line il
it was pressed but declared his preference tor the
Adjustment" ,
Mr.. Barwe the new Senator from South CARROLL
ma was called up by Mr.. Foots exposition OF the
views of his predecessor aud defined his position and
that of the South with equal zeal and eloquence. MI
Barnwell is a very impressive and dignhed speaker
clear and concise in his statements OF facts, logical
in his reasoning and decided in the expression OF
his opinions He took strong Sou them ground, but
expressed his willingness for the sake of concord to
accept the Missouri Compromise bill
Mr. Foote again responded, respecting his construc-
ton OF Mr. Calhouns views, and reading addluonal
extracts calling upon the Senators from South Carroll.
to confirm or retue them Mr. Butler made br,et
reply, clearly drawing the distinction properly to be
made between Mr.. Calhouns position, and that as
sumed by the Senator from Mississippi under shelter OF
his authority In the course of his remarks having been
interrupted by Mr.. Foote, he made very good ht re-
ferring to "a paentheticai eplsOdewhch neither
retards nor advances story
Mr.. Davis of Mississippi, also responded to his col
league with great force and ervor reterang his nten-
ton OF resisting the adjustment, and insisting upon the
Missouri line He was very decided and earnest IN the
expression of his views and most happy 10 ms treat
meut Of the whole subject He took issue directly with
his colleague and insisted that the sentiment OF their
constituents in harmony with his course tie also
made the significant avowa that had been IN the pow
er of the Southern opponents OF the COMPROMISE 10
have crushed it at any time they peasedhat they still
possessed that power and that it fingered on only by
Their sufferance While the discussion was pending,
the laeness of the hour induced the Senators to ad-
ourn to dinner spite Of the opposition OF several Sc
majors, who were DESTROYS OF having vote on the
amendment.
On Friday, the vote was taken on Mr.. SoULEs
amendment, when it rejected by the following vote
--teight members from slave-hoding States, whose
names are in italics, voting against it, -
AYEs-Messrs Atchison, Barnwell Berren, Butler,
Clemens, Davis of Miss, Dawson, Downs, Foote,
Houston, Hunter, King Mason, Morton, Rusk' sebas-
tian, Soule, Turney and Yulee-l9.
NoEs.aMessGs Badger, Baldwin, Bel, Benton
Bright, Cass, Chase, Clarke, Clay, Cooper, Corwln,
Davis OF Mass, Dayton, Dickinson, Dodge OF Wlscon-
sin, Douglas Fech Greene, Hale, Hamn, Jones' Nh
Ter, Norris Pearce, Phelps, Pratt, Seward, Smelds'
Smith, Sturgeon, Underwood, Upham, WdIes w alKer,
Webster and Whhcomb36.
This vote settles the question to the Missouri line
May entertain the hope that those members who
proposed this measure, will that they have become
convinced of the utter hopelessness of obtaining the
Missouri line rally to the support of some practicable
measure which will remove the distractions and the
anxeties of the people! Will not the two Senators
from Virginia, in view of the importance OF the crisis
consult the wishes OF the people of this State, and lend
their aid to some such plan! We agree with the Al
exandria Gazette, "that very large majority in the
State of both parties though they would wish 10 see the
Compromise measure amended in several particulars,
and have objections of its details, ANXIOUS
have this vexed question settled that they would go
for the scheme and adopt it, for want of better
But said the Senators from this State will not vote
for the Compromise bill, in any event. If they have
better plan, let them present it if not, we hold it to
be their duty to vote for that measure which shall be
most acceptable to majority OF their constituents