Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-04-23
4 Disrraceful Scene

A Disgraceful Scene
Occurred in the United States Senate fast
Wednesday afternoon. The day had Qeeh
spent, principally in the discussion Of Inc
motion of Mr.. Foote to refer MeSsrs.
Clay and Benton's resolutions on the Cal
ifornia, &C., question, TO select commit
Tee of thirteen. Messrs- Clay and Ben
ton were the chief speakers of the day,
and both had been very animated: Mr..
Benton in the latter part ofthe debate COM
mented severely on the Southern address.
and the course of many Southern men as
hayng been productive Of unnecessary
agitation. Mr.. Butler of S. &. and MIR.
Foote Of Miss. replied, the latter by instl-
tuting comparisons between the authors
and abetors of the Southern address and
its adversaries, intensely unlavorabIe TO
the latter He was proceeding 10 indi,
vidualize Mr.. Benton, when that Senator
left his seat and walked eNcitedly towards
Mr.. Foote, whereupon the latter retreated
into the aisle in the rear of the Alce-Pres-
ldent's chair, and drew pistol, Zone ac-
count says a reuolUer,) which, however,
he did not discharge. Upon this Mr..
Benton continued his approach to Mr..
Foote, but when within some feet Of him
was stopped by Senators Mr.. Foote was
also surrounded. Mr.. Benton attempted
to take off his coat Uor some purpose not
yet clearly explainetD and shouted aloud
. let the assassin fire, he knows am UNI
armed, &c"
Subsequently both parties made eXPla-
nations, Mr.. Foote deaying that I've came
armed for the purpose Of provoking
quarrel, and Mr.. Benton resisting any I'M
putation upon him for having committed
or intended a breach of the peace. A
COMMITTEE Of seven, on motion of MIR.
Dodge of Wisconsin, was nextday appoin-
ted by the chair to investigate and report
on the case.
AS it will be probably expected OF us
to give our opinion Of this fracas in com
mon with the generality Of the press, VIC
shall do so, in our usual style of lndePen-
dent impartialiy. There is little doubt
that both the actors in this proceeding were
wrong. But there is difference. foote
was wrong in the spirit of his course and
conduct. Benton was wrong in his manner
of dealing with it.
In his structures upon the agtationlsts
who have been so incontinently campaign
ING il this winter in Washington and the
South. we believe Senator Benton substan-
tally right, and we thank him in the name
Of all that is dear in love OF Country Tor
the tenacious sturdness he has displayed.
But he is too dogmatic, too brusque and
ipAexible, and whilst valuing al lis full
estimate the duty and the beauty OF a
straightforward course OF action III htmseif'
he is not sufficiently regardtul OF what Is
due TO other minds, and is apt too sudden
ly TO arraign and condemn their motives
1t is Just here that such characters as his
sterling in themselves, require the temper
ing influences Of discipline: we hope then
that the scenes of Wednesday afternoon
might be turned to the high advantage OF
teaching him disciplinary lesson.
AS for Mr.. Foote, we have not been
able entirely to forget his deleclable dldoes
along the earlier part of the Session, III his
improved demeanor for the past 1 or
weeks. For this change we thank cir
cumstances and not Mr.. FoOle. Over
bearingness, arrogance, unqucncha6le gar
rulity, were indications that pointed TO his
ample participation in a quality but too
observable in many OF our "chlyalrlc
politicians, who quite turn their back up
on the salutary admonition "uot to think
more highly of themselves than they
ought to think.
! Mr.. Foote has been too perSeculIngIy
personal towards the Senator from Mis-
souri,, no, so much, as we believe, from
private conviction or anynatural hostility
as from wish to approve himself 10 the
aff1liac cd gentry that have been trying II
on" upon the DisuniOn string SO charm
ingly, for some months past As for Mr.
Eo,o,. JaCenco oC Mr.. Calhoun now, IL