The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-16
CITY OF WASHINGTON FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST le. 1850

the whole history Of this government in opposition to
which members OF either branch were entitled, upon
principles OF courtesy, il courtesy only il 10 prevail
here 10 enter their names and their reasons upon the re-
cord.
Why, sir | remember the bill for the declaration of
the Mexican should rather say, the recognition
OF the Mexican war, which that memorable preamble
was inserted, whereas exists by the act of Mexico,
&c. That bill was passed with little or no debate but
al the very moment OF its passage IN the other branch OF
Congress- drew up protest against that preamble u Is
still extant not indeed in Every choice Italian" but in
such chrography as was able al the moment TO CON-
mand Il was signed by more than myself II was
signed by an honorable friend from Connecticut. [Mr
SAITH now menber oil this body, and by an honora-
bic member from Ohio, MIR VhToN.l but we found
~ II any n pcs s oo hs
| record, and we therefore forbore the attempt
Now, sir Tor myself, do not desire 10 add fuel to this
fame, which seems almost ready 10 consume the country
desire to do nothing and to say nothing to add to the
irritation which exists the other side OF this chamber,
and in certain quarters OF the Union am willing even 10
acknowledge, and do acknowledge that there are con-
sideraiions aud circumstances connected with the adis
sion OF California which calculated to excite and rr
late gentlemen from the southern States. would spare
their feelings But at the time would adhere now
and always to those wholesome precedens, and may
aid TO those established principles, which Lave hereto
fore governed in these Legislative bodies. say, those
established principles, s-or can hardly help regarding
| this question OF principle. The constitution calls
upon us--o do what To keep Journal Of our proceed
ings, In order that the people may be able to see what
measures have passed. and who are responsible for those
measures. ls This paper any part Of our proceedings
The constitution does not secure 70 member ihe pIly
ege of entering his the record does IT. IN
express terms, prohibit him from doing But Is there
not something of implication TO be derived from this
express injunction OF the constitution. that we should
keep a journal OF our proceedngss For of what use
will be to keep such Journal the record OF our pro-
ceedngs is to be numbered and complicated and smoh
cred by such succession OF protests as will nevita
bly, succeed each other upon this and upon other ques
tons, il precedent shall now be estabishedl Where
will the praclce stop Sir il the question were merely
to receive this paper, and treat respectfully as we treat
petitions and memorials, il would crafty me TO unite IN
asserting to such But with the greatest posi-
Bile respect for the senators who have signed IL cannot
vote tor its reception, ii the question OF reception in
wolves also the question oil entering II upon The journal
MIR. BUTLER. take il that the instance referred to
by the Chair in which the effort was made to
secure the privilege 10 SENATOR or number OF senators,
TO place protest upon tue record That seemed to be
The import OF The Case referred TO by the Chair, II under
stood IT, do not know, sir, that would have voted
Tor that Nor do think that there much danger
gentlemen think from the precedent do not know that
the Senate OF the United States and the House OF Repre-
senlalives very different, lar as regards their
orr anization from State legislatures, and IL has never
been thought unsafe precedent State legislatures Tor
a certain number OF gentlemen with the permission OF
the body to spread protest upon the Journal know
that in my State there have been instances, on very
grave occasions, when members chose to give emphatic
representation OF the convictions OF their own minds as
solemn mode OF showing the opinions which they enter
tain upon certain measures and with view 10 let them
have their eteco 80 10 the public and 70 posterity
understand that there pfecedents in nearly State
in this Union in which il has been granted, not as
privilege and right as in the House of Lords
The senator IRON Massachu usetts Mr. WINfHRoPl al
luded to the House OF Representatives, though We
attempting TO assimate ourselves to the House
OF Lords in asking the poor privilege OF letting the rea
sons of the minority go upon the records The gentle
man need not aude 10 the House of Lords with such
emphasis We do not gtend under this motion 10 claim
any of the lordy privileges OF that body Sir this was
associaing terms with movement OF this kind without
really meeting the question We have not asked for the
privilege and would not vote Tor the privilege But
can see less harm in republican government where
members entertain opinions which they wish 10 put upon
the record permitting them 10 do so, than any other
form OF government whatever for. whether goes upon
the record NOT will go TO the public through the
public newspapers, and will have its effect just much
ii il went IRON your record We ask you TO place 1t
where pos,ery may read hat they may the solemn
convictions upon our minds OF the character and
Quences OF the which has passed this body II
Is poor courtesy have asked, slight boon aod, my
word for it, northern brethren do not understand the
of mind al the South upon the subject We have
asked that in this form we may speak TO the country and
do hat preserve the institutions OF
Try What effect il will have, God knows-l suppose It
will have upon this bodyif II is refused II is
merely courtesy, and not ordly privilege, ask
it-not peer, in order that we may assmilae
selves the House OF Peers in Great Britain ask you
give what every State legislature in the Union gives,
Tor the time being. and in couriesyhe right TO spread
protest upon the journal.
Mr.. DAVIS, OF Mississippi. Mr.. President, have
heard but lew objections offered. One is the probable
inconvenience those who offer that argument seem 10
have lower opinion OF senators than that which enter
tain do suppose any senator would ever offer here
protest unless The gravity OF the question should Justify
IT. II any member shoold be wanting in discretion as
10 make such proposition, ne WOum ohy cover nnse
with dicule. II i the magnitude OF the occasion winch
usifes the offer OF the protest. and IN my opinon, tins
the greatest which has occurred IN the history oil our
government 80 lar as regards lbe consequences key 10
| ensue.
rbe next argument which has been offered against il
was that Il might infame the public mind And those
gentlemen who offer tins argument, by way oi keeping
the public mind entirely quiet, get up and make speeches
against H. that not only the protest. but the speeches
they make upon u. will 10 TO the public tell the sen.
lieID.n, when ney make argument against allowing
southern 10 place upon the journal oil the
Senate the for the acts they have performed,
under instructions from their State legislatures and their
Constituents, they taking step much more likely 10
nhame the minds OF the South than the publication of that
protest in every Journal which the Senate may publish
II that protest bad been received quietly had been cour.
teousiy received, instead OF exciting the public mind, II
would have served to allay excement tor at least II
4 would have shown decent respect for the opinions o
others, which do not think has been manifested IN the
progress OF this discussion Therefore, 0y the opposition
upon this occasion they have served TO increase the
element which they attempt or at least say they wish,
The PRESIDENT. The Chair will take occasion tc
state that according 10 the manner IN which the Journa
s kept the reception Of the paper would not probably
spread upon the Journal The ordinary mode would Dc
merely 10 state that such paper bad been received with
giving at length The Chair, therefore, IN order
insure correct understanding OF the question, will pu
the question, frs whether II shall be received and
second, whether il shall 20 upon the Journal This IL
case, none like il having ever occurred before.
II Mr.. HAMLIN. desire TO inquire Of the Chair il
after the paper is received under the present ruling oil the
Chair and subsequent motion shall be made to dispose
OF that paper, the paper would not upon that notion
upon the journal Suppose the motion to receive pre-
vails wish TO know II motion may not be made which
will put II OF necessity upon the journal, however II u