Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-08-17

The consequences likely to ensue The next argument offer
cd against this protest that might name the public mind
and those gentlemen who offer this argument by way OF
keeping peace and quiet up and make speeches against
is not only the protest which offered to the Senate but
the speeches which they have delivered which will go TO the
public, and would tell those gentlemen that when they make
an argument against allowing Southern representatives, the
right 10 place upon the journals Of the Senate act which
they have performed under the instructions OF their Legsa
lures and the known will Of their constituents they taking
step much more likely to nfame the mind OF the South than
the publication Of that protest in every journal the Senator
can name.
Sir, that protest had been received quietly, courteousy
receved instead OF exciting would rather have served to
aay excitement would have been at least to show that
decent respect for the opinions of others which do not
think has been manifested in the progress OF this question
Therefore, whatever opposition they have made and IN any
debate they have introduced this question: they have served
to increase the excitement which they attempt say
they wish to alay
The PRESIDENT. The Chair will take occasion to
state that according TO the in which the journal
kept the reception Of the paper would not probably spread
on the journal The ordinary mode is simply to state that
sncn paper was received without giving the paper length
ne OBJECTS oil the oesans to have on the Journal and
in order 10 ensure that object the Chair will be the plea
sure OF the Senate put the question whether shall 60 on the
journal The Chair only wishes to accommodate the Senate
SEyERAL SEsAToRs. Agreed agreed.
Mr.. BENTON. did not hear the paper read do not
know word Of lis contents do not know who has signed
IT. and am glad do do not whether there are ve,
or en or twenty names appended to it, One Senator told
me this morning that he had signed it. but do not even
know the names the Others am utterly opposed to this
thing certainly innovation upon the proceedings Of
this body Il will certainly be the first time, if il done,
that has been done will not undertake to say that it Is
the rst time that has been proposed but what will
say ~ that do not recoec of its having been proposed
before. Our Government has been working sixty
but there no example in oil that time of protest having
been placed upon the record of this body Our Government
was framed upon that Of Great Britain. We have copied
from what deemed good and suitable purpose,
and left that which did not deem suitable form
of government In Great Britain the lords have right to
protest. Every one may protest for HIMSELF and there are
cases OF single lord entering bis protest upon the journal
Our Government has been in operation sixty and
the American Senate has initiated that example They
have not begun that work Of protesting by entering the
journal their protests against the acts of the body The
sution Of the United States certainly provides for the rights
of the minority, for it gives ample constitutional right 70
minority as small oneh of the whole number present Of
having their real protest entered upon the ounaher vote
nay, that is the real protestant that is absolute right
secured not to bare minority, but to minority small
onefh part OF those who present. It is secured to them
then by constitutional enactment II is secured to them by
the privilege Of debate. Our constitution gives the ees
privilege OF debate to its members No be called in
question outside of this body for what he says within it,
They have also, besides this right to enter their
the JOURNAL where il is TO stand absolute right to give all
the they choose give against any They
only allowed speak their reasons but they have the
absolute right publish their and that absolute right
publish their has been further promoted and secured
them by provision this body for regular reporters and
by giving them not only commodous places different parts
Of chamber but upon the floor ITSELF between the MEM
be and the presiding officer and the debates which thus
taken down, and the thus given, have made pro-
vision to have published in the most authentic form. We
have provided for their publication in daily papers, giving
the right the member revise what has been in order
that may go correctly before the country And besides
that, We have provision for pepetuatng these revised
Debates the shape Of register which stands for the his
ofo nf
said here. This is the provision which has been made
partly by the constitution and partly by the act Of the body
ITSELF for preserving all that said for and against the
sures under debate; and. in my opinion it is precisely
enough-t is precisely enough And the fact that sixty
years have elapsed since this Government created and
instance Of this kind has occurred heretofore is proof
that by fathers and those who framed the constitution,
such thing contemplated and have least waited
until they dead and gone before attempted do it.
Now, sir sno necessary argue the Inconvenience
which may result from the introduction of this practice
What is necessary to show the opinions of members is
provided for by the constitutional right of saying Faye
and the have taken have the debates pub
lished Nothing needed and gentleman need fear
that bis opinion any will correctly before the
country But, sir where is to be the limit to this nconye
nience you begin it. Is there to be limit to the number
of those who may protest The constitution has limited
those who may protest. and who have the absolute right
protesting in the shape Of nay to oneh Of the members
present. If you begin with this business what number
will you limit the right of protesting Will you limit to
one nn, or oneentn, or 0nesxteIn! 1nerc ID no limit
to il You must 60 down to single member. You must
give full liberty, they do in the British House Of Lords IA
single Lord may enter his protest. single Senator may
enter his protest single must have the right and if
may may every body, and you may have just
many protests entered your journal there members
dissenting from the Nor do see that you
limit to those merely who have dissented Others must
have the privilege Of stating the grounds which they have
dssented to the and arguments which thing
may have been done in which they themselves may have
concurred. You have limit to the number One
may do it, and every may do il for himself Then sir,
as 10 the length and magnitude Of the document to be put
the record The member himself the Judge of what he
will put on and Of what length shall be- He presents his
own side Of the question. That is ALL And in presenting
his own side Of The question be Of course puts disadvan
taee on the record those who stand upon the other SIDE
Grant him all fairness grant him disposition to do right
and to state what is right he has still the advantage OF
placing upon the record his opinions, and those OF the
other side are placed it. But, Mr. President, what
questions shall arise upon the papers be admedf those
papers should be disputed-f of the members on the
opposite side gets up and dsagees to what is asserted what
are then to take place this floor Can you alter
the protest If it the privilege Of the member to his
protest. must bis protest and not the protest Of other
sons which il would be if other persons might alter it.
Mr. President, look upon this innovation of the
most serious kind the consequences to result from which no
man can at this time foresee. Looking upon in this most
serious point vew the yeas and nays have not been
called for by Others shall call for them in order enter my
protest in the shape Of "nay against innovation like this
50 novel; and which apprehend will be found fruitful in
Inconvenience and evil in the future.
The yeas and nays ordered.
After further debate the consideration Of the subject
was postponed till tomorrow.
THURSDAY, AUGUST Is, 1850.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the motion Of the