Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-04-23
TILE SCENE In TILE SENATE.

l, is due 10 Senator Footc 10 explain somewhat in def,
| the circumstances preliminary TO the explosion in Tho Sem
On Wednesday, which all must regret. We therefore av.
ourselves Of the summary in the Times ofevents previous
| Wednesday, with which we in the main ngrcc. The Tim,
before it had read the full debate and history Of the matter
said:
At this distance, VIC cannot well determine upon which q
the two Senators censure should fall more heavily. M
Foote was unluestionably in the wrong, in using o!icnsir,
language, If he did s0) in the first instance. The force
his apology for afterwards drawing a pistol must depend o
,ircly upon the cause afforded him by Mr.. Bcnton's mann
of approaching him, for believing that the latter intended
personal assault. We are not prepared 10 say tina; a we
and sickly man, no matter whcro the place, is bound 10
low n powerful antagonist to fall upon him, without usino
weapon Of defence which he may have upon his person.
there is no doubt that MI. Benton did leave his seat, az
walking along the lobby, approach MIR. Foote, whilst add.
sin. the President, for tho purpose Of making a personal :.
tack, there, on the sacred floor of the Senate Chamber, III.
there can be no dispute that he is chiefly 10 blame, and I
serves n punishment, not short of expulsion from the bod
II will be remembered that, in the violent fray of worc
which took place between the same Senators, on the 10Th
March, MIR. Benton complained of his being restrained J.
tho prophecies of the Senate Chamber. from giving immc'
ute chasiiscncnt TO his antagonist. We rcpublish Il sil
passage in lat memorable debate.
M lsTros. pronounce it row,rli!y TO give insult wners'.
SEVERAL SENATOR'S Order, order.
Mr. FooTE. have done with the subject here
Mr. BENTON. la Senator 10 he backguarlcd here in The diachm:
Of his'lnty and The cnIrri go rnPun,shedl IL lansuase to he US.
tls crn OF oyster cellar, aud Tor the use Of which he would be nm
out Of .ny tavern BY i deesn' landlord
iC WIN h'iiT.'I i"' sS"af' - N"H.'
Mr. lieSros.. II such things are 70 20 on, ad ne ~ TO persist Il. ~
blackguarlrm here, IN a place where The c,dfel cannot he arplit
the public sentiment shall make him behave with The propristy luz
the Senate.
The next day, Wednesday, the 9th of March, MIR. Benn
renewed the. controversy by aniinadycrting upon The pu.
lishcd report Of the remarks made by MIR. Foote on Tu.
day, and, after rcs0rting 10 almost every cplthet convcyiL
the charge Of ~falschood, he intimated quite distinctly, in II
following sentences, a purpose, which he seems 10 have 4.
ted unon, on "Wednesday last;
".Iis Senatorial priyilegrsn Sir. clarnn III Senatorial privilege
claim no privilege of attacking any person on THE floor, iclaim !.
privilege OF insulting anyin,y here. nave never done II IN The TN
is years Ihaye been here; have never begun 10 lnsui, any one. ht
il il is l"sun with me, although | may bear with insults a long nm
yrt, when loncc take notice al IT, there shall be an end one way nr Il
other. Aud IT the Senate does not know that II Is a Senate; Ittils :
nate does not protect Itself from scenes which would disgrace the y
rirst broihci: If this Senate permits Language Ia be used here win.
cannot liz used IN the Elthic-t hruiie! III he FIVE Points. or liz tuc e..
hun. al Inc c;%y-Ilihcy permit -aeh language 10 b. u:-l hr!s, aid =
he us here with respect Ia me, mean iom this tiiGe !orh 81 prot
g.sii. c".t what II may"
This was doubtless meant TO be regarded as a declaratiG:
iha! ii MIR. Foote again ventured 10 asSail the Senator iro'
Missouri, the offence would be resented upon the spot.
was an ayowal for which there should have been no toler
lion il The public mind. For whatever may be the ,inlu
tifablencss of one Senator's using Insulting language I
wards another, the deliberate Irpose of resenling il on Z,
floor Of the Senate chamber cannot be excused.
We now come to the next scene of the drama, viz: e
Wednesday last. The debate shows that Benton was in
furious passion and bent On the most faclious purposes. =
extract from the I'LL debate. in the Union. NJ. Cayh
taken an appel from Nj. Fiilmore's decision, that Mr.. 3
toms fourteen instructions were in order, although RE s
ate had Just decided that the committee of thirteen sh,
nc, be ~,r.mnelied hy instructions:
Nj Benton. Here Mr.. President, | must rccur 10 !.
main point. i!'fc is an open attempt TO enforce the +:
yious question, without any rule in tho Senate 10 author.
the previous Question, and against the rules of the Sera'
IL is admitted that the object is 10 cut off amendment:
IL is admitted that il is n previous question in a Jiherc.
form, and without the rule. And vet | am 10 be treated 2
factlous for resisting the enforcement OF the previous Cue: