Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-01-24
Friday. Jan. 4.

Mr.. Cass brought forward to-day his resolution
proposing inquiry into the expediency Of suspend
ing diplomatic intercourse with Austria. The per-
sonal fitness of Col. Webb he did not take into
sderaiion; but bis precptate departure for bis mis-
sion the of the meeting of the Senate. pre-
scented insurmounable obstacle to his confirmation
He did not understand this flight from the Senate
Mr. Letcher bad left Kentucky on his Mexican mis-
the 22d of Dec, and, said Mr.. Cass, he shall never
have my vote to remain there. The idea that. by in
curing expenses, an obligation was imposed ON the
Senate to confirm appointments he would rebuke: and
he rejoiced that, while we had ii in power to
press our sympathes with popular progress. were
also enabled rebuke the greediness for Office which
never coDspicuously displayed now. Mr..
Seward, while he complimented the liberal and fin
ished speech of the Senator regretted that The Sena
tor had complicated with its animadversons on the
distinguished gentleman who had been sent foreign
missions Such ahattack was more fit for the secret
session, where it would be properly met; and he had
it in his power, proper occasion, TO yindicate
one of them from the charge of precipitate flight
from the Senate. Domestic reasons, which II
not possible TO state here at this time, and could
only be stated in confidential session. had FASTENED
the departure of one of those gentlemen, 10 whom
he professed the most warm and most devoted friend
ship, and answering personal attachment. MIR. Cass
again declared, that on the score of fitness there
no objection u Colonel Webb; but if he were Frank
lin or Jefferson, he would not continue the mission.
Mr.. FOoe made sumo remarks on Mr. Stewards cham
pioDshp o. the administration, and advered Gin terms
of censure. upon Mr. Stewards consultation with the
President and members of the House. the last
night of the late session the territorial question
Without being member of either house, Mr.. Seward
undertook TO control both and procured the rejection
of MIR. Brghts proposition and the adoption of Mr..
Webster's. If it should be found that Mr. Seward
correctly represented the views of the President,
I. approving Mr.. Webb's course in pockeng his outfit
and hurryng out of the reach of the Senate, then the
President would &c held in contempt by the whole
people of the United States. In every print on the
Continent, where Wcbb's nomination was mentioned,
there expression of Interpretation. Ii was
denounced from part of the Continent to the 9TH
err by all parties. The President knewthat the
nation was 'one fix TO be made;" he knew that it
would be offensive to the whole uation and yet was
he to approve of Mr. Webb's flying precipately from
the judgment of the Senaie-fyiug almost before the
very face of the Senate He commented. too, on the
admission Of Mr.. Seward. that his judgment, IN this
matter. was swnyed by his feelings of fervent devo-
tion to James Watson Webb. the editor of the New
Yrk Courier and Enquirer. The devotion was SO
great to prevail all considerations OF public
interest. in the nmunities the independence of the
Senate. II might be so that the Senator from New
York influenced only by feeling of friendship.
But if censorious, he might say that the Senator if
he felt friendship owed gratitude too; and he was well
informed that this friendship of recent origin-a
reciprocal attachment that had suddenly sprung up
between two youthful hearts. that sus-
pccted of being Influenced by cold political cacula-
tons. This nfantile passion sprung up on the occa
sion of the appearance in the New York Courier and
Enquirer, of article commencing Gov. Seward as
the fttest in the country for the Presidency in
1852. Prior to a recent dav, nothing had ever APP
peared in that paper which manifested any particular
regard for the Senator from New York.
But the Senator alluded to delicate domestic cir
cumstnnces which fastened Mr.. Webb's departure,
and which could be stated If they could not be
stated, they ought not to have been mentioned Un-
less the Senator can now state them, it must be
sdered by every one, that really Mr.. Webb is the most
unfortunate in his domestic relations in the whole
country.