Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-20
CALIFORNIA AND THE COMPR OMISE-SE-
MAJORS BENTON AND FOOTE.
In SENATE, WEDNESDAY, April

per OF yesterday, the loloWlng amenoment, moved by
Mr. CLAY to the original motion adopted, yeas 90,
| nays %:
(" Prouided That the Senate does not deem it ne
cessary, and therefore Declines to express in advance
any opinion to give any Instructions either general
or specific, for the guidance Of the said committee"
THE words, "and therefore declines" inserted
at the suggestion of Mr.. MANeUM.1
Mr. BENTON then offered his nine amendments. which
we published yesterday. We submit the full report of
the remainder of the discussion:
Mr. BENTON said that these made fourteen PROPOSE
tons and he would see it the previous question can be
put in force in the Senate. He had previously said
that he considered Mr.. Clay's amendment in effect, the
previous question: He would call for the yeas and
nays each of them.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD raised point OF order. Were these
instructions in ORDER the Senate having decided that no
| instructions should be given to the committee.
| The VICE PRESIDENT ruled the amendment to be III
order.
Mr.. CLAY appealed from the decision of the Chair.
Mr., BENTON. Here, Mr. President, must recur to
the main point. Here is open attempt to enforce
the previous question: without any rule in the Senate to
authorize the previous question: and against the rules
of the Senate Iii admitted that the object off
amendment. 1t is admitted that il is previous ques-
ton in different form. and without the rule And yet
am be treated facous for resisting the enforce
ment of the previous question here to cut off all amend
ments when there is no rule to authorize it. deem 1t
my duty to resist such course long as pariamenta
ry law permits do it. If the Senate have decar-
ed that they will decline give Instructions have the
parliamentary right to offer them and when they
offered there is way to get rid OF them but by vote
upon them. That we all know. 1t cannot be decar-
ed Mr. President, that my amendments out OF order
because they conflict with rule which is to Sc
majors in the votes which they give upon my amendment
have the right to offer amendments. The rules are
The senator from Kentucky has offered resolve; and
that resolve does alter the rules Of the Senate The
rules OF the Senate cannot be altered except upon notice
and due consideration. They cannot be altered pend
ing question: sir in order to cut off debate, OF to pre-
vent measures being carried. Rules must be Known
Rules must be adopted beforehand. If they are to be
altered there must be not ce, and the process must be
gone through with in a regular manner. The rules OF
the Senate be overturned. The rules OF the Sc,
nate cannot be oblierated. They cannot be expunged
by vote adopted in the progress OF case when the
Senate will do thing contrary TO the existing rules
Sir, the motion made by the senator from Kentucky
and which has been adopted is motion to override the
rules OF the Senate to rampe the rules OF the Senate
under foot sir for the purpose OF sitting debate-or the
purpose OF cutting Oft amendments When we come to
these amendments, we will see whether not they
distractions, which have been made the root OF all the
agitation which has taken place in the United States.
Sir, intend by those amendments to cut the root OF
agitation to cut up the whole address Of Soathen
mean to show that there was no foundation tor any
such thing That to say, mean to make PROPOSE
ton upon which believe the votes will show that there
has been cry of "wof' when there was no wolf;
that the country has been alarmed without reason and
against reason that there was no design in the Con-
gress OF the United States to eucroach upon the rights
OF the South agrees the South to press them
upon the subject propose, sir to give the Senate
opportunity of showing that all this alarm has been
without foundation. propose to give to the country,
to the people of the United States the highest declara
ton upon EARTH that they have been disturbed about
thing When come to that question, we will see
whether they distractions not 1t these ABB
structons then the country has been alarmed about alb
stractions That is the way 1t will terminate In the
meantime, Mr.. President, propose my amendments,
and ask have separate vote OF yeas and nays upon
each of the fourteen.
MIR. FoorE obtained the floor, but gave way to
Mr. BUTLER. / wish to say to the senator from
Missouri now and for ALL that, if he supposes the
southern people to be satisfied with votes upon ru
sms what all the country ought to regard as trusms,
he is Mistaken he supposes that votes othat kind
are be OF the dangerous and aggressive
agitaons OF the North, he is mistaken. Sir, the gene
must see plainly as do, that there is danger;
that has progressed and that this but feeble pal LA
tive to meeit-to offer to resolution, as under
stand him. to say that Congress hasno right to interfere
with slavery the States and to suppose that this TO
satisfy the whole country that the South has been in no
danger and that all the agitation the Southern Address,
and everything connected with it, is TO be cut up by the
roots inform the senator thaa declaration Of that
kind with whatever intentions it may be made, will
reach much further perhaps than he supposes. We may
differ the extent of the danger we may fairly dit
fer the extent of the danger But sir, these are
not to be the safety Such general propositions
as these will not soohe the South, assure him.
Mr.. FooTE. Mr.. President
The VICE PRESIDENT stated the question upon the ap
peal taken by the senator from Kentucky
Mr.. FooTE One remark and the Senate will bear
witness to the fact that have endeavored to AVOID dis
cussion and controversy upon the question. believe
that the time has when patriots should unite in the
true spirit OF traternal Cancellation and compromise Tor
the settlement OF these questons that they should feel
il to be their duty endeavor quiet excitement and to
save the republic from those dangers which We all OF us.
know have envroned us for the last six or eight months
repeat that did not here this morning expect
ing to say single word and certainly should not
wish to be heard responding to anything that might
emanae from certain quarter after what mas occurred
here but for what conceive to be direct attack upon
me and others with whom am proud to stand in asso-
citation.
Sir, we know the history Of the Southern address;
and the world knows it, 1t is glorious history. 1t is
connected with patriots, to be recoeced, ever to
be held veneraton, and OF the proudest respect when
their calumniators-no matter who they may be-wil
be objects OF universal oathng and contempt Who Is
the author, sir OF the Southern address! lie is known
the world The ilustrious senator from South Ca
rolna, over whose decease nation now mourns; over
whose untimely death every good man. IN all ChrlSlan
countries the present day. is full OF lamentaon ne
is the author of that addressthe acknowledged author
that address, the sole author that address, an address
charged here oday, in the hearing OF the trends the
deceased satesman charged in the hearing those
cated with him in that holy workcharged IN the pre-
sence of those who proud OF an opportunity OF at
tachng their signatures to that address, and who aided
in the circulation Of it throughout this broad nationn
our hearing sir that address is pronounced, with great
apparent deberation as address fraught with mis-
chief as an address to supply food for agitation and ex
element; address which involved our institutions
danger, from which they ought to be rescued by the
efforts OF others hostile to the purposes OF that adj
Dress and who did not participate in its preparaton-
And sir those who subscribed that address, those who
sanctioned it, are charged with being agitaors By
whom--by whom-by whom is this charge brought!-
With whom does such accusation as this orignae!--
wont be personal. After the lesson have received,
mean to be--n parliamentary sense-perecty deco
rous in all things But by whom is it that this extraor
binary declaration is hurled against all those indvi-
duals who signed that addressl By gentleman known
to be the Oldest member Of the Senate; by gentle
man who, on a late -
Here the senator from Missouri tMr Benton) left hia
seat and advanced towards Mr. Foote, who proceeded
TO the centre of the chamber and drew pistol Seve
raj senators Immediately surrounded both parties, and
great confusion ensued, some minutes eapsing before
senators resumed their seats.l
Order having been partially restored,
Mr. DICKINSON said: What is the question before the
Senate2
The VICE PRESIDENT. The question is upon the ap.
peal.