The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-28
TIE SOUTHERN PRESS.
CRY OF WASHINGTON.
FRIDAY, JuNE.as. 1880.

/ FRIDAY, JUNE29. 1850.
a. The debate in the Senate yesterda,
was highly exciting and interesting, ane
protracted till late hour, when an adjourn.
nent was moved and carried previous to .
vote having been taken on the pending
amendment.
Mr.. Webster led off in one Of bis able ar
ments in reply to the positions assumed BY
Mr.. Soule. The principal points to which
he directed his attention, were those relating
to the boundary, the eminent domain, and
the improperly Of subdividing the State Of
California. In the course Of his speech he
laid much stress on thu inutility Of insisting
on the division Of California, because only
5000 square miles Of available territory
would be secured by running the line pro-
posed BY Mr.. Soule.
Has it never occurred to Mr.. Webster that
the same reasoning applies with much
greater force on the other side ? If the
matter in dispute be really SO triaing, why
will not those so anxious for adjustment con-
cede what they consider SO small a point
Mr.. FoOte followed with q personal ex-
planation as to his own position, giving
his own views in detail, and quoting largely
from Mr. Calhoun's speeches, to sustsin him
in the position assumed. He expressed his
intention Of voting for the Missouri Conpro-
mise line, if It was pressed, but declared his
preference for !" the Adjustment ("
Mr. BARNwELL, the new Senator from
South Carolina, was called up by Mr..
FooTE's exposition Of the views Of his pre-
decessor, and defined his position and that
Of the South with equal zeal and eloquence.
Mr.. BARNwELL is very impressive and
dignifed speaker-clear and concise in his
statement Of facts, logical in his reasoning
and very decided in the expression Of his
opinions. He took strong Southern ground,
but expressed his willingness for the sake Of
concord to accept the Missouri Compromise
bill.
MIR, FooTE again responded, respecting
his construction Of Mr.. Calhoun's views, and
reading additional extracts, calling upon the
Senators from South Carolina to confirm OF
refute them. Mr.. BUTLER made brief
reply, clearly drawing the distinction prop
erly to be made between Mr.. Calhoun's
position, and that assumed by the Senator
from Mississippi under shelter of his author.
ity. In the course of his remarks having
been interrupted by Mr. FoorE, he made :
very good hit, referringto it as ga paren.
thetical episode-which neither retards MOI
advances story"
Mr.. DAVIS, ofMississippi, also responded
to his colleague with great force and fervor
celebrating his intention of resisting the ad
justment, and insisting upon the Missour
line. He was very decided and earnest il
the expression Of his views, and most happy
in his treatment Of the whole subject. HI
took issue directly with his colleague, ane
insisted that the sentiment Of their constitu-
ents was in harmony with his course. He
also made the significant avowal that il hae
been in the power Of the Southern opponents
Of the Compromise to have crushed itat any
time they pleased-that they still possessed
that power, and that it fingered on only by
their sufferance. While the discussion wa,
pending, the lateness Of the hour induced the
Senators to adjourn to dinner, in spite Of the
opposition Of several Senators, who were
DESTROYS Of having vote on the amendment.