Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-09
A SCENE IN THE SENATE.


49, --'-N--S'i' "iu ~ ~ oaLotte.
WASHINGTON, JAM g.
Those who anticipated an interesting scene on the in
PRODUCTION of the Missouri resolutions nstructino the
Senators from that State on the question of slavery
were greatly disappointed at the unexpected direction
which the distinguished gentleman who was expected
Inquire on the occasion gave to the debate. Tie cham
Der was crowded with members from the House. and the
galleries thronged at an early hour to witness the
After the usual routine of business had been
disposed Of Mr.. Atchson presented the resolutions to
which public interest had been attracted An immediate
sensation was visible throughout the audience and when
Mr Benton rose the impression which public rumor had
made was at once confirmed by the appearance of the
principal actor. He produced speech prepared with
care, and read it with delberaton. His manner, so
usually lmpulslve and often vehement was subdued his
tones were mild, and there seemed studied effort to
present contrast to himself There were points in the
speech referring to the dangers of dissolution which
seemed Tor the moment to rouse the sumberng lion and
TO invoke his indignation against those who now threaten
such an extremity, as their remedy for alleged agpres-
SONS But the inclination checked almost as soon
as the passion appeared and he pursued his purpose with
composure and calmness. He maintained that the re-
solutions did represent the true sentiments ofthe
pie OF Missouri, who were ready TO abide by any laws
winch Congress might pass. The General Assembly
made mistake, and many OF those who participated in
TINS proceeding had since them expressed their dssatis-
faction at the instructions But it question which
would soon be submitted to the people, who were best
qualfled to decide and it would then be seen whether
mistake had been made not He then proceeded 10
review the manner in which the Union was formed and
to draw the distinction between the old Confederation
OF States and the Union it exists To illustrate
these points, he cited largely from the Federalist, and
closed by reeratng his position regard to the passage
OF the resolutions. Mr. Atchson replied by asserting
his convection that the people would sustain every ex-
preston contained in the resolutions Thus closed the
scene
Mr. Calhoun was an earnest and attentive listener to
the debate, and gave every indication of surprise when
1t was brought to close. He like others, had been
induced to expect an onslaught and he came fully pre-
pared to meet the encounter. His friends manifested
much eXultaton, and by their manner as we'll as Nv
their declarations &c ara claimed victory, through the
exhibited more than ordinary feeling, and seemed to
participate in the prevailing sentiment of those who ex-
tended their congratulations. Mr. Benton may have
been influenced by deeper considerations than appear
upon the surface, in pursuing this course. In appealing
to the sound intelligence and sober reflection of thinking
and discreet men, he may have gained an advantage,
the effects OF which are not now distinctly visible He
rarely acts without calculation and in tanning his fret
full spirit for this OCCASION he had motive Of sufficient
moment to induce the apparent sacrifice of personal
PRIDE AS as the discussion terminated the cham
Der was almost nstantaneousy deserted with general
expression Of dissatisfaction because the morbid pas
sion for excitement had not been gratied and Senators
had declined to show themselves gladators for pub
lie amusement.