Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-02-28
FRIDAY MORNING, FEB. %, 1851.
THE TIMES TERMS.
The Senate Debate.

The interesting discussion, occasioned in the
Senate. by the Boston affair, was, as our readers
have been already informed continued and con-
cuded on Monday. The speakers were Senators
Berrien, Dickinson, Rhett, Clay, Davis of Mass,
Davis of Miss, and Downs. We shall probably
give some parts of the full report when it comes
TO hand. In the meantime it will be sufficient to
state summary the positions of the speakers.
Mr.. Berrien, little to our surprise, is reported
to have declared his adherence to the platform
laid down by the Georgia Convention.
Mr.. Rhett's senatorial debut appears to have been
rather unfortunate He affirmed that the Fugitive
law was totally notifications and intrinscally bad,
being contrary TO the constitution, which he said
provided palmer and better remedy. He de-
nounced the decision of the Supreme Court in
Prigg rs. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as
pure consolidation doctrine, and wound up by ac-
cusing the Democratic party of total departure
from the old republican platform Gin which for
once he was quite rght) Mr.. r. also ntmated
that this was the last time he should address the
Senate.
Mr.. Clay replied with one of his happest eff
forts, retorting with much humour upon the testy
Carohnan's competency, and maintaining with
all bis wonted ability the constitutonalty oe Fu-
gitive slave acts.
Mr.. Davis, of Mass, defended the people OF
Boston from the imputations they have incurred
by the late outrage. Mr.. Davis, of Miss, took
Mr. Masons ground that the Fugitive law will not
be executed and Mr.. Downs repealed it,
The question was then taken, and the Presi-
dents message was unanimously referred to the
Judiciary Committee, whose report may very pos
sibly give rise to important discussion and legis-
lation.
We are glad to have assurance in the follow
ing remarks of the Enquirer of Yesterday, that
Democratic eyes in the South are beginning to
open to the true state of things at Washington.
The most singular feature in the picture is the ex-
traordnary position OF r Rhet the new Senator from
South Carolina-viz that the Fugitive slave law is un-
constitutional. Even were such his real opinion can
any thing justify him in urging such views at the pre-
sent critical moment, when Northern ianatcism is do
ing everything to defeat the law ard the just rights of
Southern slave hodersl With an uuenvable ambition
or originality and notorey he boldly runs in the teeth
oftbe Supreme Court his colleague Butler, Sena
tor Mason &c. This last tsta step ofhs alone ira
ceabe to the desperate wish Of himself and those of his
school, to break up the Union for which they constant
~ avow their cordial hate" The conederacy, the
South itself, i'll now know how to value the advice
OF Mr.. Rhett On the occasion 10 which we refer
Mr.. Rhett bade farewell TO the Democratic party
and charged them with abandoning their principles at
the last session. snd with going to Mr. Clay. He
said it was probably the last time that he should speak
IN the Senate and that he considered the Union ZEN
quilted" The Democratic party can do as we'll with
out Mr.. Rheu, as he without Them.