The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-27

love TO the people of California, but because there
are certain Senators here from that State 10 whom
the Senator is DESTROYS of giving seats this floor
He is the friend OF California because she has sent
certain Senators here by whom the Senator
poets to be propped up and sustained in measure
and in controversy in which he feels at this time
considerable anxiety.
The Senator is incorrect when he says the Cali
iornia bill was reported first by the committee
When he states that it was, he misrepresents the
history ofyesterday's proceedings. There was no
priority given 70 il by the committee But the Cal
ifornia bin, its passage is not In the least jeopar
dized by the present motion. II is that this bill,
which there is great deal pending, shall be taken
up and debated by the Senate This bill is not in a
shape that Is satisfactory 10 all. Ii has to be con-
sidered, discussed, and perhaps amended.
He thought that if the California bill was taken
up hrst, and her admission forced through Con-
gress in advance of the other measured, it would
be productive of great injury TO the hopes and ex
pectations Of the friends Of happy and peaceful
settlement Of the present difficulties which disturb
and agitate the whole nation. The passage now
OF bill to admit California would obstruct the
passage of other measures which il proposed to
consider with it, and adopt all as general mea-
sure of Cancellation and compromise. Who, then,
would oppose the motion that this territorial ques
ton, which is the most difficult of ALL should be fully
considered first, and, if possible, placed in such
position it could be easily disposed of by Con-
gress, particularly when California would suffer
injury! What friend of his country, what patriot
would oppose it, The Senator from Missouri OPP
poses it,
There was no doubt now about the admission of
California. Every one admitted that she would be
admitted into the Union and that, too, at this
sion. This, then, being well ascertained fact,
he proposed, by his motion, that the territorial BILL
in reference to which there was more doubt, be
taken up first for consideration. This territorial
bill, of which there was 80 much doubt Of its pas
sage, and the adoption Of which is essential to
the peace of the country and even the salvation of
the Union, he proposed to take up and mature, and
then with the California bill pass it as general
measure OF compromise and peace. From this
what injury can result to California? He had no
hostility to California; he knew no one who was
hostile to California. He did not know, however,
but what he would have to be little hostile to her.
if the measure of her admission not discussed
little more gently and courteously than had been
exhibited by of her self-styled friends this
morning. The admission of California should not
take place till the other measures settled,
and then it will be more acceptable to large por
ton of this country.
The Senator is for taking up the California bill
first. am for considering the territorial bill first
He is for dividing the questions and keeping the
admission Of California as distinct and separate
question. wish to keep them all together, and
settle them at one time, and as one common mea-
sure for the restoration of peace and harmony and
quiet to the country. He is for keeping alive dis
cord and strife. Who is the factionist and dis
unionist?
He (Mr. F.) in favor of settling this terrific
rial question before the California bill passed.
for if that could be done, the California bill could
receive the votes of many of her friends who would
otherwise be willing to support her. By his mo-
ton the California bill would receive the votes of
all her friends, and her admission would be made
acceptable to the whole country. Who, then, was
the true friend of California?
MIR. BENTON said that when he said the friends
of California, he meant by the term ''friends of
California those who are in favor of admitting her
State into the Union at once, without remand
ing herto the territorial condition, and without dis
solving this Union on account of her admission
State.
This was, he believed, the American Senate. He
bel hat nd aft la tba
motives and character of Senators were by the
rules of the body, forbidden. Personalities and at
acks upon motives were, he believed, forbidden by
the rules and law OF decorum. He believed they
were forbidden by the laws of the Senate and the
rules of decorum. This what he believed. He
would now tell what he knetc. He knew that the
attacks upon his motives and character, made here
o-day, and before to-day, were false and cowardly.
This was what he KNEW.
MIR. FOOTE said that he somewhat sur
prised at the lecture upon the laws of the Senate
and the rules Of decorum, just administered by the
Senator. The Senator was rather inconsistent,
though, in the matter. He should have applied
little of it TO himself. The Senator claims to be
well versed in the rules of order he claims to be
the ssoldest SENATOR; he claims to be Pater Senat,
and such had thoughts it proper TO condemn per-
sonalities yet at the same time exercised the priv
lege Of INDUCING in them. The Senator was in.
consistent in laying down the rules, and in being
the first 10 violate them. If the Senator OPP
posed TO personalities, why did he commence them?
Why did he get up here this morning tempestu-
ously, and make the grossest attacks upon the mo-
tives which governed the motion Just made? Why
get up, and in the most tempestuous manner de-
clare that the enemies of California endeavor-
ing to defeat her? Why deal in such an innuendo,
such suspicion upon the motives of othersl Why
did he deal out personalities egotistcal TO himself,
and discourteous to others?
Why did the Senator, if opposed to the of
personalities proclaim that the friends Of Califor-
MIA were in the field, that he to be the Napo-
leon of the war; that his voicethe voice of Jupiter
Tonans-was thenceforth TO be heard in the battle,
If he did not mean TO insinuate that there were
those here who were plotting TO defeat the admis-
sion Of California; II the Senator did not to
insinuate that the motives which prompted this
motion 10 defeat the admission Of California
why did he thunder away on the motion at alp
When he (Mr. - made the motion, he did not
know the Senator in the chamber; he did no
even look towards the Senator, he eve
aware that the Senate at the time was graced by
the presence Of his majestic person. He made the
motion because he thought il the best course for
the Senate 10 adopt.
He had desire TO continue the controversy
with the Senator. He on good terms with
every bodyj he had enmity against any one.
And even to the Senator he would not apply the
term "cowardly," as the Senator had done TO him.
He was not, however, unwilling, upon this point, TO
enter upon the examination Of their early history
In 30 doing he would not, as the Senator had done
make charge that he could not prove and sub
stantiate by the past, for which be would not
hold himself responsible. The Senator had called
him cowardly. Could the Senator sustain IN
II
hear the recital Of facts which should suffuse the
checks Of every honorable man with crimson Of
the deepest hue. Did the Senator dare 10 allude 20
the stains upon his own escutcheon when he stip-
matized others' Did the Senator remember when
that discreditable transaction disclosed to him.
the shaking Of the limbs, the blanching of the
checks, and the trembling of his whole frame un-
der the deep sense of humiliation, which he, and
| the Senator and every one knew would not bear
an examination, When the Senator shall clear
himself Of this Disgrace when he shall have re-
moved this stain upon his character and announce
his readiness 10 meet responsibility a man Of
honor then the Senator might expect 20 hear more
from him. But until then, he could notice nothing
from him, for at present the Senator from Missouri
was sheltered by his established cowardice.
Mr.. BENTON said that he held IL 10 be most COW
ardly TO give insults in place where they cannot
be chastiscd
The VICE PRESIDENT said that all this was out
Of order.
| DIR. BENTON continued. He said he held il to
be cowardly TO use language Of insult in the Senate
where II could not be resented Il was cowardly 10
speak Of him in the Senate in the language Of black,
| guardism and vulgarity, when he could not chas.
tise the blackguard. Had IL then come 10 this that
a TO be insultcd and black guarded from
day day in his presence and in his absence? Had
il then como 10 this that language could be used in