Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-04-19

of saving him from arrest Tor high crimes
committed in other counties as highly injudi-
cious.
Another Shameful Scene I'm the U. 8. Senate.
On Wednesday the Senate proceeded to the
consideration of Mr.. Foote'S motion to refer
Mr.. Bells resolutions on Slavery to Select
Committee of Thirteen-the pending question
being upon Mr.. Benton's instructions to the
Committee declaring that Congress has no pow
er over slavery in the States or the internal
slave trade, and that Congress ought not to abol-
ish slavery in the District of Columbia, or in
the forts, arsenals or dock yards of the United
States.
Mr.. Benton's motion, as well as subsequent
one being voted down, he proposed series of
amendments covering fourteen different points,
which were opposed by Mr.. Clay.
Mr. Foote then rose and made some remarks,
during which he spoke of John G.. Calhoun as
being the author of the Southern Slavery Ad-
dress, and then INDUCED in some remarks aimed
at Mr.. Benton.
Mr.. Benton rose, much agitated, and throwing
his chair from him, proceeded by the narrow
passage outside of the bar, owards MIR. Foote's
seat which is on the outside row of seats, near
the main entrance to the Senate.
Mr. Dodge Of Iowa, and Mr. Dodge Of Wis
consin, and others, apprehendng collision be-
tween Mr.. Benton and Mr. Foote, endeavored
to detan the former from removing from his
seat Overcoming all resistance. he continued
towards MIR. Foote, Who, leaving his place,
stepped down the main aisle, and took position
IN the arena just in front of the Sergeant-at-
Arms seat, at the right of the Vice President,
at the same time drawing pistol from his
bosom and cooking it.
The scene which ensued is indescrbablc
Loud calls for the Sergeant were
made and cries of - orderln resounded from
all sides of the chamber
Many persons rushed from the galleries. and
out of the chamber, in apprehension of gen.
erai melee.
among whom was Mr.. Dickinson, who securing
the pistol, locked il up in his desk.
Mr.. Benton IN the meantime was struggling in
the hands Of his friends who were endeavoring
to prevent him from reaching Mr.. Foote.
While thus pinioned as it were. and yet almost
unsuccessfully resisting the efforts of those who
held him, Mr. Benton boldly denounced Mr..
Foote assassin, who had thus dared to
bring pistol in the Senate to murder him. He
said Il have no arms-examlne me-l carry
nothing of the kind-stand out of his way, and
let the scoundrel and assassin fire :"
In utterng this sentence, Mr.. Benton threw
off from either side those who had held him
tore open his vest, and invited the fire Of his
tagonst.
Mr.. Foote, in the meantime, was restrained
from advancing toward Mr.. Benton.
The Vice President after repeated and vigor-
Gus efforts, succeeded IN restoring compare
tive state of quiet
Mr.. Benton and Mr.. Foote having resumed
their respective seats.
o,,1, a han
ceed in order
Mr.. Benton Gin a very loud tone and much
excited,) demanded that the Ser ate shall take
cognizance Of the fact that pistol had been
Brought here to assassinate him.
MIR. Foote explained, he had no intention to
attack any body. His whole course had been
that of the defensive. He had been informed
that an attack upon him had been intimated.
Supposng, when the Senator from Missouri ad-
yanced towards him, that he WAS armed and de-
signed TO attack him, he had himself advanced
TO the centre of the chamber, in order TO be in
a position where he could meet Nj. Benton, in
the main aisle, upon equal terms.
Mr.. Benton protested against an intimaton
that he had carried arms He never did
The Vice President requested Mr.. Foote to
take his seat until il could be ascertaned what
course was proper for the Chair to pursue.
Various propositions were then made as TO the
course 10 be pursued
Mr.. Clay expressed the hope that Mr.. Benton
and Mr. Foote would go before Magistrate, or
else in the presence of the Senate, pledge them
selves not to commit breach of the peace, in
the further prosecution of this affair.
Mr.. Benton--l have done nothing to authorize
a charge of intention to commit a breach of
the peace, and will rot in jail before | give a
promise by which | admit such thing-(eyen
by implcaton) ! carry arms, and it is ly-
ing and co~ardly TO insinuate anything of the
kind against me.
Mr.. Clay said his suggestions had no reference
TO the past, but to the future.
MIR. Foote said he was a constitution loving
and lawabiding man. He only wore arms when
he had reason TO believe he was in danger OF
being attacked. He preferred another methoo
of settling difficulties, and had always ieit me
door inside, open, in order to avoid the necessity
/ for any other mode of settlement than referred
! to He declared that he had no design OF pro-
/ ceeding further in the immediate controversy
/ which had occurred, but intmated that as a
man of honor, he felt bound to take the pro-
/ ceedings elsewhere.
Mr. Benton greeted the last remark with
! contemptuous laugh-loud enough to be heard
/ throughout the chamber.
/ After some further debate, a motion 10 ap-
! point committee, was agreed to- and before
any further action, the Senate adjourned,
! 1t would be no more than right-no more than
justice to both these braggadocios, were the
Senate first to expel Foote, and then send Ben
ton after him. Both have of late dsgraced the
body of which they are members
| Wm. J. Beatty, son of the Hon. VIM. Beatty,
OF Butler, died in California on the lst February.