Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-20


Of all the agitation that has taken place in the United States
Sir, intend by these amendments TO cut at the root of all
that agitation, and cut the whole address OF the South
members by which the country thrown into flame.
mean show that there foundation for any such
thing that is, to offer proposition upon which
the will show that there has been cry Of "wolf"
when there wo that the country has been alarmed
without reason and against that there design
in the Congress the United States encoach upon the
rights Of the South, TO agrees upon the Souih TO
Cypress them upon the subject Of their institutions pro-
pose sir to give the Senate an opportunity OF showing that
all this alarm has been without foundation and further
propose give the people of the United States the highest
declaration that be given upon earth that they have been
disturbed about nothng and when come to that part of
the question: will whether they distractions
and If these distractions then the country has been alarm
ed about abstractions. In the time, Mr. President
propose my amendments and ask that separate vote may
be taken upon each of the fourteen.
| Mr.. FOOTE. Mr.. President think-
Mr.. BUTLER. Will the Senator from Mississippi allow
me to say word
Mr.. FOOTE. Certainly; yield with great pleasure to
the honorable Senator from South Carolina.
Mr.. BUTLER. Iwish to say to the Senator from Mis-
souri, that il he supposes that the Southern people TO be
satisfied with votes upon ruisms, which all the country
should regard such, he is mistaken He is equally mis-
takeD he supposes votes of that kind 10 be safety
valves for the dangerous and agaons Of the
North Sir the Senator must plainly as do, that
there is this thing has progressed such lengths
that will be but feeble palliative to quiet it. to offer
resolution which merely declares that Congress has right
to interfere with slavery in the Staes that the South and
the whole county in DANGER and that all the agitation is
caused by the Southern address, He is mistaken he sup
poses that this thing which may reach further than he sup
poses to be cut up by the roots by votes of this kind
may probably differ the extent of the danger but this
is be the saety-valve by which is to be avoided.
Gentlemen will satisfy the South, them, by
! any such declarations.
Mr. FOOTE. The Senate will bear witness to the fact
that have endeavored avoid discussion and controversy
on this question have believed, and yet believe that the
time has cone when all true patriots should unite in the
Of these quesons and that they should feel their
bounden and mpeous duty TO do all in their power to quiet
excitement and the republic from that danger which all
of do know has envloned for the last six eight
months repeat that did not come here this morning in
the expectation of saying word; and especially would not
be heard referring any thing emanatng from certain
quarter after what has occurred here, but for what con-
ceive to be direct attack upon myself and others with whom
am proud to stand associated. We all know the history
OF the Southern Address, and the world knows its history
1t is the history of the action of band Of patriots worthy Of
the highest laudaton and who viii be held in veneraon
when their caumniators, matter who they may be viii
be objects Of general oathng and contempt Who the
author Of the Southern Address He is known TO the
world. The late illusrous Senator from South Caro-
lima, whose decease q nation now mourns, and over
whose untimely death every good man in all chris
an countries, at the present time, now amentng-he
is the author, and the sole author of that Address.
In presence here to-day the hearing of the friends Of
that distinguished associated with him in that holy
work. that address is denounced with great appearance of
deberaton, aught with mischief and having supplied
Inc agitation excitement which involved
institutions in dangers from which they had to be rescued by
the efforts Of others hostile to the propositions Of that address,
and who did not participate in its preparation. Those who
associated with and sanctioned that address, charged
with being agtaors. And by whom With whom does such
an accusation this originate shall not be personal after
the lesson have already received here intend be- in
parliamentary perfectly ecorous in all things But by
whom is this extraordinary denunciaon hurled against al
those individuals who subscribed this address BY gentle
man long denomnaed the Oldest member of the Senate
the father Of the Senate by gentleman who, on late oc
cason-' H.. g.. ....'. ....
" Here Mr.. FooTE, who occupies seat the QUITE
circle font of the Vice Presidents chair reeated back
wards down the aisle, towards the chair of the Vice Pres!
! dent, with pistol in his hand Mr.. BENToS moment be
FORE having suddenly risen from his scat and advanced b.
aise outside the bar towards him. following him into III
aisle down which the Senator from Mississippi had reteaed
In almost every Senator his feet and call
orders" demands for the Sergeant alarms request
Senators would take their seats from the Chair and or
individual Senator'S repeatedly made. MIR. BENTo
was followed and arrested by Mr. DopGE, Of Wisconsin,
in the confusion and excitement which prevailed, he wa
heard excam. from time to time :" have pistols
Let him fire ~ :" Stand out of the way !" ~ have
pistols J" 81 dsdan to car4g arms " "Stand out OF tn
way, and let the assassin fire." While making these ex
Carnations, Mr. BESToS brought back to his scat but
breaking away from Mr. DODGE, of Wisconsin, who sough
orciby detain him. he advanced again towards Mr. FooTE
who stood the Vice Presidents chair the rehthan
side, surrounded by number of Senators and others no
members of the Senate Mr. DICKINSON took the pisto
from the hand of Mr. FooTE and locked in his desk
his seat
The VICE PRESIDENT directed that Senator'S and
spectators should be seated and order partially restored
Mr.. DICKINSON. Mr.. President, what is the question
before the Senate .:
The VICE PRESIDENT The question is on the ap
peal from the decision of the Chair.
Mr.. DICKINSON. should like to hear the question
again stated as do not remember precisely what It was
There still much coofuson prevailing at this time il
the Senate.
Mr.. CLAY I hope that order will be preserved.
Mr.. BENTON. We are not going to get of in this way
A pistol has been brought here to assassinate TIL
scoundrel had think armed for carr
nothing Of the kind, sir. F..
Mr. FOOTE. brought it here to defend myself.
:, Mr.. BENTON. Nothing of the kind, sir. 1t is a!s
imputaon. carry nothing Of the kind, and assassin ha
right to draw pistol on me.
/ SEVERAL SENATORS. Order, Order" LIST
Mr.. BENTON. II is pretext Of the assassin
Will the Senate take notice of shall be forced to taxi
notice Of it, by going and getting weapon myself Apso
has been brought here and drawn upon by assassin
/ The VICE PRESIDENT. Senators will be seated.
/ Mr.. FOOTE. Mr.. President
The VICE PRESIDENT. Senators will be peased to sus
pend their remarks until order is restored Senators
quested to be seated.
Mr.. CLAY. Mr.. President .'. 81.
i The VICE PRESIDENT. Business canno. proceed un-
| til order is restored l.
Mr.. HALE. hope order will be kept in the galleries.
i The VICE PRESIDENT. There is too much noise IN
the galleries. Quiet and order must be restored
i Mr.. FOOTE. May proceed in order !!
II Mr. BENTON. demand that the Senate shall take I'M
mediate cognzance of the fact of this pistol having been
brought here assasnae under the ylanous petext
that armedhe petext Of every assassin who under