The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-28
viso; and that he stands in the House the Repre-
sentative, not Of his constituents, but Of General
Taylor.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS LAST MONDAY.

SENATE PROCEEDINGS LAST MONDAY.
The Senate proceedings last Monday were
somewhat interesting After the usual morning
business, Mr. Miller resumed his speech, and
closed it,
The resolutions Of Mr.. Clay were then post
poned till Wednesday, Mr.. Rusk indicating his
intention to address the Senate.
On motion of Mr.. Foote, his resolution in
relation to Territorial Governments was taken
up, and he moved to refer it to committee of
thirteen members, to consist of six Southern and
six Northern MEMBERS to be chosen by ballot.
who then should proceed to elect the thirteenth
member.
On this motion quite an exciting debate arose
in the course of which the project was sustained
by Messrs Foote, Clemens, Berrien, aud Badger
and opposed by MIR Dayton of New jersey. MIR
Butler also opposed it, but in manner so omin-
Gus as to arouse the anxieties of nervous mem
bers, if there were any in the Chamber
In support of the motion, Mr.. Foote addressed
the Senate repeatedly, and in language which, we
think, he ought to have been called upon to ex-
plain. Here is a specimen:
GAS stated before, the resolution is 80 drawn
DIP not to interfere in the least degree with the
resolutions offered by other Senator'S or with the
course of debate. do not expect-and am sure
that my friend from South Carolina will hardly
expect-that this subject shall be acted upon by
the committee 50 soon as the next four days but
they could make report by Saturday, trust
for, SO help me Heove If nothing IS done ns meek,
there nil occur circumstances mich, IN my opinion,
must mepuably take place, the nature of mich mil
NOT more than alude TO- wheh Mill render all eompro
mi Sc unpracticabe Ihare good reasons for Dha say
knoo facts TO whieh Ihaue alluded. Ihape CONFER
sed NTH members of both Houses of Congress, and
state upon my honor that entertain not The least doubt
that Unless me do somahag this meek this whoe sub,
ject Mill edve our jurisdiction and forever. am no
alarmist bit am IN tie habit Of taking more freely
than my friend from South Carolina. kaow that 1
am in possession of facts IN this case. have con-
versed with many of the wsest men in both
branches of Congress-with many of the sagest
and most patriotic men in this Republic"
Now, here was plain intimaticn by the Sena-
tor from Mississippi, that he knew facts which
authorized him to say that, unless the whole
question Of slavery settled this week, Il mould
pass oreper beyond the Jurisdiction Of Congress; that
is Nth this meek ends The tinls for deraiiOn and
legislation and nth neat meek Mill Begin the time for
pialea mahOdS unknown 10 the Constitution
0psht such language as this to be uttered in
deliberative assembly, nit does not contain a
threat of the Intervention of physical force, then
words have no meaning. The dark hints thrown
out by the Senator point to plot, conspiracy,
to set aside the Congress of the United States
to overthrow by violence the present state Of
things The people of the country will take
notice of this matter. Mr.. Foote ought to be
called upon to explain, in clear language, what he
has darkly intimated; and he is not the man TO
shrink from any responsibility.
Mr.. Butler, even by opposing the motion
labored apparently to multiply evil portents.
"Mr Butler | think that the Sneate will
bear me witness that | have not been disposed to
treat this matter lightly have long since found
that, as | am approaching crisis upon this sub
ject, become more solemn in all my deliberations
| of the matter Nor do | wish the debate to be
protracted, with view to indulge in any inhsm-
matory declarations. | think that such a course
would be unfavorable to a fair understanding and
deliberate settlement of this question | have
long since come to that conclusion. When the
crisis was at distance could indulge in the spirit
of the time; but that time is now past. sm not
one who believes that long, protracted speeches
have any effect upon the subject. | look to
conservative body to make fair effort for the
final J. ustment Of these questions. five are to
continue together, let us continue personally on
! good terms and if this great calamity which has
been ntimated to us should come to pass, wish
to take leave of all in good feeling have made
up my mind, thoroughly made up my mind and
when | have done So do not think it is worth
while to declaim on the matter shall yield to no
compromise that does not recognise the equality
of the States"
Well, this was dramatic, to say the least.
Colonel Davis of Mississippi advocated the
motion.
"Ths committee, being organized as it is pro-
posed, cln never agree upon anything unanimous
ly which will not be accepted. 1t is not at least
to be supposed possible that they should do So
and he who holds the balance of power in that
committee may fairly be expected to be impartial
I nil go further, sir. am milling TO go far North
ard far East IN selecting man in whom nil repose
that confidence, to consider the rights of the South
und,r the Constitution, fairly considered, because
| believe that there IS man IN that section Of the
country 'rho mill stand by The Constitution and wko
is ADORE all sectional feeling"
The allusion may have been to Mr. Webster,
who, the letterwriters say, as in faUor Of compO-
mise, milling 10 divdeths Territories baween Freedom
and Slavery, by the extension Of the Missouri Com
promise line 10 the Pacific! We give therumor for
what it is WORTH merely adding that in this crisis
we are prepared for almost any revolution in men
or affairs however monstrous and astounding, but
we do not believe Mr. Webster will 60 quite so
far as this
Mr. Dayton asked, why not end the discussion,
sum up the matter, and then give it to the jury
Mr.. Foote, Gnterposing) IL is this very agi'a-
ton which will dissolve the Union.
"Mr Dayton. Upon that matter, there is only
difference opinion of between the Senator ana
myself do not understand that this species OF
agitation and talking win destroy the Union. 1t
Is not to be SO easily done. ! have greater conf
dence in the ligament which binds us together IL
will never be talked away.
"Mr Clemens, (interposing) VIII the Senator
allow me to say that think he is mistaken? |
think it is being talked away every day. think
the ligament which binds the Union together
to-day is being loosencd every day, md it Is
for that reason that am ready that this COM
mittee should at once act upon the matter five
90 on talking as we have done for three weeks
here it will not be in the power of man to save
| this Union.
"Mr Dayton That is but difference of opinion
between certain men on that side Of the Chamber
and certain men upon this We differ in that
respect
The Senate at last adjourned, without coming
to any decision upon the subject
Whatever the disposition of Senators from The
free States to assent to Mr.. Foote'S motion, we
see not how, as men respecting themselves, re-
gardful of the freedom of debate, and resol'ed'o
maintain the rights of their body, they can thipA
of entertaining it at all, for a long time to come
Yield to menace now, and there will be no stop 10
| tho Of; nfim mi