The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-24
CONGRESSIONAL.
DESCRIBED DEBATE.
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1850.


cALIFoENIA-TERRIToRIAL GOVERNMENTS.
The Senate having under consideration the order OF the
day, to-wit the bill 70 admit California State into
the Union 10 establish territorial governments for Utah
and New Mexico and making proposals TO Texas for the
establishment OF her western and northern boundaries
Mr. FOOrE said: regret very much, Mr. President
that feel compelled in defence to occupy again
the attention OF this body, delerring as certainly do
profoundly, to other gentlemen OF the Senate, far
better qualified Than MYSELF 10 eucdate the great ques
ons now under consideration but, sir all must that
could not remain silent without ncurrng less
OF discredt and being subjected to serious msconslruc
on both as 10 my acts and motives could not fail
respond 70 part, at least, OF what has fallen from the
lips OF the honorable senator from Alabama, Mr.. Gle
MENs,l without feeling myself 10 be wholly unworthy OF
occupying place in this august legislative assembly
But Mr. President, beg 70 assure the Senate and the
country that entertain such an exalted estimate Of the
great objects Tor which we are now struggling, that have
resolved under no circumstances whatever to be drawn
into controversy merely o apesonal character whilst this
duced BY any which can be administered TO
turn aside from the consideration OF those grave
which should engage whole attention. for the purpose
OF participating in such idle triviaes as have in
way other lately found their way into this debate
No unkld feelings have been awakened in my bosom
upon the present occasion BY the honorable senator from
Alabama, nor have at any time cherished feelings to-
wards him which could induce me to seek that sort Of
heated and almost dscourieous dispniaon for which il
would seem that the honorable gentleman has shown
such decided proclivily. The path Of senatorial
duty lies plainly before aversing the platform OF the
constitutions midway between uraism in the North and
and calmly without devang either to the right or 10 the
left and without falteng before any obstacles which the
ingenuity Of honorable gentlemen may conjure into ex-
sence which the spirit Of vain and fruess contro-
versy may contrive for my annOyment The relations oil
friendship heretofore existing between the honorable SEN
ator from Alabama and my SELL and which he has been
kind enough TO recognise as still existing, will not be
broken up temporarily suspended by any act OF
mine; nor will it be my fault If alter this debate we
shall not be better friends than before; though
deem il my duty TO defend myself, with such ability as
possess against the assainent which has been pacsed
upon meto my character far as possible from
the charge o gross and ridiculous Inconsistency which
has been pefered and 10 make good also OF those
positions heretofore assumed by me, and which have
been ercey assailed by the senator from Alabama
shall seek to refrain entirely from the employment Of
those terms OF invective OF which have had re-
maIkable specimen supplied to this morning. shall
denounce man as traitor to the South because he
chances 10 differ with me as to the general character OF
the before shall |, by innuendo,
endeavor to throw the odum OF tred0teyy to the rights
and interests of the South upon any southern senator
who may conclude not to vote for the BILL after shall
have undergone such amendment as il may be supposed
by It's friends to need Nor shall even charge the inu
ence OF bad motives upon those gentlemen il any such
there should be, who may be found hereafter operating
with the adversares OF the South in laying the bill upon
the table, or in amending so as TO bring about its defeat
in indirect mode. No, sir repeat, shall call no
traitor for doing any OF these things and regret that
the honorable gentleman from Alabama has thought
proper to employ language towards myself which would
seem to imply belief that my own conduct deserved so
harsh an epiihet
recly or indirectly. was speaking OF myself
Mr. FOOTE. l am very glad 10 hear the disclaimer.
From the manner in which the honorable senator ex
upon his words than that which affixed to them. The
honorable senator from Alabama, in speaking oil certain
eiler-wnler having SO far oyeyalued my poor standing
as public man TO give credit for having acquired
national reputation said that 1t was quite easy to es
iabsh the sort Of national reputation thus attributed, by
the aid Of certain letter WRITER'S one chose TO prope
traitor TO the interests of the South. These posi-
bly, not the precise words employed by the honorable
senator; but understood him TO say much this in
substance
Mr. CLEMENS. was speaking Of myself. and said
that | could do it,
Mr. FOOTE | am glad TO hear the explanation, for
must say that at the time il was uttered supposed It was
Mr. CLEMENS. Not at all.
Mr.. FOOTE. | am rejoiced to hear that such is the
fact; though think my friend from Alabama will find
that he was not altogether circumspect in his phrase
oogy as he generally is But his present disclaimer OF
all unkind meaning is perfectly satisfactory. The hon.
orable senator from Alabama has supplied with
example OF oraorcal self-epetition which, TO at
least not little striking He has read, In our hear
ing quite copiousy from harangue OF his, some time
since delivered in this chamber, and which at the time OF
its delivery awakened much attention both here and else
where Whether the honorable gentleman may not have
been actuaed as much by desire 10 rescue so bril-.
liant specimen Of rhetoric from oblivion as BY wish to
edy upon the points under discussion, shall not
undertake 10 decide do not object 10 this reappearance
among OF the speech Of my honorable friend, nor do
regard its being delivered second time as at all in
=
he is moi without high authority in SUPPORT OF what
he has done in the mattersince all know that De-
mosthenes delivered one OF his Onthac orations second
tme by different name, after intervening period oil
some ten fifteen years distinguished orator oil our own
country, amember OF this body, 10 known to have de-
vered some twelve fifteen pages Of speech on popular
education IN New England, twice also and the Dumer-
Gus admirers of this genuemans rare intellectual powers
will accordingly find the matter printed twice in the
three volumes Of bis speeches as portion Of two dis.
nct oraons My honorable friend from Alabama, then.
may well defend himself against the charge OF having
been al all indecaey egolisbcal on this occasion IN
reading 80 copiously from his own recently. delivered
Speech by falling back for authority upon the high ex
ampes which have Just cited Really, though, feel
authorized TO complain that my honorable friend was not
satisfied with being allowed 10 reproduce his speech again
among u.s. but that he has hold me RESPONSE
Die Tor all the views contained in it, Now, as ! make a
special preparation OF any kind think that i will be
regarded quite sufficient by all libera-mnded men 70
hold me responsible for all my ostorical indiscre
uons releasing from any responsibility account of
lhe slns either OF omission commission IN this line,
which may chance 10 be committed by others
Ihe honorable senator, by way OF making out case
OF rank inconsistency against me, aveTed that mad
sanctioned his speech read and then declared that ne
mad no doubt that would now pronounce Il altogether
reasonable In both these points, as il to the
senator is labong under some delusion: In the hrst
place, have certainly not the least recollection of al
proving The views contained in the honorable genuemans
speech at ALL though IL ia certain that felt grathed, as
one OF his early friends that be had made brilliant an
exhibition in our body. Nor do now recoect that
ever read the speech, or any part OF ~ IN my lhe.
certainly heard IT, and pleased with II, 20 far as
was able to catch Its meaning. In the second place.
am oy no means prepared 10 denounce that portion o.
The ma