The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-04
CONGRESS-.
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION.

IUNGRESS.
TnlRTY-FlRST CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION.
We last week alluded briefly to personal alter
cation between Senators Benton and Foote, grow
ing out Of motion made by the latter intended
to give precedence to the Territorial bills, over
the bill for the admission of California The
matter came up again the next morning, Mr.
Benton stgmstizing the report of The alteration,
so far ms the language Of the senator from MIS-.
sissippi was concerned, as grossly false. MIR.
Foote vindcated the report, remarking that he
had done no more than every Senator WAS in the
habit of dong-revised his own remarks. The
illusions of the gentlemen to each other were of
the most hostile character, and, as they had no
necessary connection with the business of Senate,
and no tendency to affect in any way its course
of proceedings, we shall omit any report of them.
Such scenes to US are always painful, and the
sober second thought of the actors in them, we
are sure, must condemn them Nor are they
alone to be blamed. Members ola legislative as
sembly, who will sit by, coOlly listening to per-
sonalities which they know must lead TO an utter
violation of decorum, without interposing to ar
rest them are just as responsible for the RESULT
as those engaged in the alteration, whose passion
for the time drives to excuses at which their own
sense of propriety revolts in the hour of refec-
ton
SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, March q, 1850.
Mr. Hale took occasion to explain a remark
made by him the other day, that it was MIR.
Buchanan who had said that the Democracy of
the North was the national ally of Slavery.
81 will y said be, do Mr.. Buchanan the justice to
say that the words quoted by the Senator from
New York Mr.. SEWARD do not appear. will
t re ss .s SENATE aug ,sas ss
justified the remark made, speaking as did at
the time from memory. 1t was speech on the rati
fcaton of the treaty with Great Britain settling
the northwest boundary
"All Christendom is leagued against the Ssutl
upon the question of domestic slavery. They
have no other allies TO sustain their constitutions
rights except the Democracy of the North. IL
my own State, we inscribe upon our party ban
ners, hostility to Abolition. IL is there one oil
the cardinal principles of the Democratic party,
Mr.. King Of Alabama said that the Senator
from New Hampshire, with the frankness that
ever characterizes him, had gone to certain ex-
tent, in confessing his error but not far jus
tice required After explaining that Mr. Blu
chanan meant that the Democracy Of the North
were the natural allies of the South in the pro-
lection of their constitutional rights to their prop
erty in slaves, he continued
Now, sir, the honorable Senator must admit,
after this explanation, that Mr. Buchanan did
not use the words which were attributed to Mr.
Jefferson by the Senator from New York, and
which he at the time applied to MIR Buchanan
Mr. Buchanan commended for what have said,
and for this only He was drawing distinction
between the two parties in relation TO this ques-
ton, and stated what was true; that there was a
much larger proportion of the Democracy Of the
North for the protection Of the constitutional
rights Of the South than Of the other party that
they were therefore the natural ally of the South
in sustaining their constitutional rights. think
the Senator from New Hampshire Is now bound
to say that Mr.. Buchanan did not 20 further than
this.
Mr.. Hale. A single word in reply, sir, and
have done. think the Senator from Alabama
hardly does me justice in calling upon me to say
more than have said have stated that have
found that Mr.. Buchanan did not use the precise
words attributed to him; that everything have
found TO sustain the remark which escaped from
me, and which made from memory only, is the
extract which have here produced. ! do not
undertake TO construe it, said then, and re-
peat now, that leave II to the Senate and to the
country to say how far it does sustain the remark
which made.
The subject was then dropped
Mr. Atchison Of Missouri presented the petit
ton Of Joseph Parks a Shawnee Indian, praying
indemnity for a slave who had fed from him to
Illinois, and after having been arrested there by
him, was seized by mob and carried of TO Can
D. L.. I.At
Affairs
Mr. Benton Mt his request was excused from
serving on the Committee on Foreign Relations
The Compromise resolutions Of Mr. Clay were
tb en- taken up, and Mr.. Chase restf>cd and nm
ished his remarks. Ills speech will be published
in the Era next week
The resolutions Of MIR Bell were taken u ,, and
made the special order for tomorrow, MIR Bald
win having the floor.
THURSDAY, MARCH 2s 1850.
Numerous petitions, from Maine, Rhode Island,
and Pennsyl vania, were severally presented by
Messrs IIamlin, Greene, and Cooper, against the
admission OF any slave State into the Union, for
the prohibition Of slavery in the Territories, for
the abolition Of slavery in the District Of Colum-
bia and for jury trial in the case Of alleged fu
gitives from labor Received and laid upon the
table.
The Committee on Printing reported q resolu-
ton to authorize the Secretary Of the Senate and
the Clerk Of the House to cause 10 much OF the
public printing to be done by such person or per-
sons as shall insure prompt and proper execu-
ton and delivery Of the same-provided that the
compensation shall not exceed the rates fixed by
the joint resolution OF 1919, deducting therefrom
20 per cent.
Mr.. Borland proposed an amendment, relieving
and discharging the present contractors, appoint
ing - and - by the two Houses, and
authorizing the Secretary Of the Senate and Clerk
Of the House, should not these printers do the
work by the time appointed, to employ additional
printers, charging the excess OF expense to the
former, &c, &c. The resolution and amendment
were laid upon the table.
Mr.. Benton gave notice Of bill to authorize
the construction of national highway from st
Louis to San Francisco; Mr.. Rusk, OF Q bill to
reduce the rates Of postage.
The resolution Of Mr.. Webster, to grant por-
tions Of the public lands to actual settlers, Was
taken up, and made the order Of the day for Mon
day fortnight
The following resolution, previously submitted
by Mr. Clay, was considered and Adopted
Resolued, That In future, when member Of
Congress dies, and has been buried In the vaca-
ton, the Senate will not feel itself called upon
to extend 20 .he memory Of the deceased the hon
ors add ceremonies which have been Of late years