Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-01-28
THE LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN.
LyNCHHURG. JANUARY Is. 1850.
MIR. DICKINSON'S SPEECH.

1
| To do full justice to Mr.. Dicl<inson's speech we
/ should publish the whole of the very interesting
and exciting Incidental debate, which took place
/ in the Senate on Thursday, the 18th inst.-bnt
IFS great length dcprves ms of this pleasure. II
will be read, however without the context with
admiration fol the bold and manly stand he takes
in defence of the rights OF the South. We do
not know that any Northern man has ever gone
farther even when he was a candidate for South
crn suiliages-which Mr.. Dickinson is not.
We must give brief account of the de-
bate which elected this speech. The newly
elected Senator from Alabama, Mr. Clemens, is
a very young man, barely eligible in point of age.
IIeis of ardent temperament and has unquestion-
ably talents of no ordinary character. He is per-
haps better fitted for the House of Representa-
lives than for the graver branch of the Legisla-
ure-thongh when the wire edge is little Ia
ken off, he will doubtless make an excellent SEN
ator Some days ago,M Clemens offered les
olulnn, almost identical with that offered in the
House by Mr.. Venablc, and adopted by that
body.-and since complied with by the President
calling for information as 10 the action of the
President in regard TO California For reasons,
entirely distinct from opposition to the resolution,
as he avows, Mr.. Douglass took occasion to move
that II be- for the present, laid on the table 10 be
taken up at another time. This motion was car
red by av vote nearly sectional Mr.. Clemens
caught al this and, in conversation with Mr.
Douglass, said he would use it to show that,
when resolution was offered calling for informa
ton, which might show that the question of slave
ry had been improperly interlered with by the
President, the North unanimously went against
IT, lie admitted that he did not want further ac-
ton. lie had gained point 10 agitatc upon, in
the sectional vote by which his resolution was
laid upon the table Mr. Douglas, himself, on the
Eth instant, moved to take up the resolution
Mr.. Clemens and others opposed its passage, as
unnecessary, they having understood that mes
sage from the President. communicating the in
formation called for by Mr. Nenable's resolution
had been transmitted 10 the House and that it
was unnecessary TO impose the labor of copying
the document upon the Department. In the course
of his remarks Mr.. Douglass related the private
conversation with Mr.. Clemens, at which that
gentleman took fire and was personally severe
upon the Senator from Illinois. Gen. Shields in
terposed and was snubbed by the excited Mr.
Clemens, who waved warmer and warmer and,
rising from personalities to general accusation
avoWcd his dlstruSt of the whole of the Northern
Democracy ON ;he subject OF slavery, and de-
clared that he had more confidence in the Wings
of the North than in the ''naural allies He
coolly read out of the party all the Northern Dem
ocratS. This produced quite nuttering. MesSrs
Footc and Jefferson Davis gently admonished Mr.
Clemens OF his imprudence, denied the Justice of
his charge and pointed TO many individuals ofthe
Northern Democracy who had always been true
TO the South. The rebuke was administered
adroltly and in the most friendly spirit and TO do
justice to Mr.. Clemens, we must say received by
him in becoming manner. The charge was
not retracted, however but the injury likely to re-
suit from its being made was, in a measure, OBJ
waited by the lnterposition of Southern Democrats
of more tact and prudence. Mr. Clemens must
be rash man when MeSSrs. Foote and Davis be-
comes his Mentors. Mr.. Douglass and General
Shields successfully, in a very forbearing man.
per set forth the in ustice of the treatment they
had received, and, in a softened mood, Mr.. Glenn
ems made suitable acknowledg and super
fetal harmony at last was restored to the Democ.
racy. II was in the course of debate like this
that MIR. Dickinson made the speech, which we
publish to-day The debate was not exactly
senatorial in lis character, but can pardon that
in consideration of the manly attitude taken bv
Mr.. Dickinson. Mr.. Clemens does not cut We
ry creditabe figure. But we hope he will profit
by the lesson, and learn 10 be less ambitious OF
making speeches. He has fine talents and is deS-
tined for career of distinction and usefulness
but he must really talk less, or lose, with the re.
spect OF the public, all influence in the Senate