The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-15

certain whether majority Of the Senate
was IN favor OF the Compromise measures,
and the efforts Of Mr.. Webster in their behalf.
rambling debate imme diately followed, confined
to Messrs. Cook, Schoonmaker, Geddes and Bah
cocktail on the whig side, each one of whom spoke
against their adoption, or taking any action upon
them. Mr.. Cook moved to strike,out all that por-
ton which related to MIR. Webster's conduct during
the present national administration, aad insert a
clause approving of his correspondence with the
Chevalier Hulsemann. Others moved various
amendments, to lay upon the table, to postpone In.
definitely and to refer to the committee federal
relations. Mr.. Beekman stated that he would con-
sent to no modification, amendment, reference, or
postponement; the resolutions were before the
Senate, and he was anxious that vote should be
taken upon them Several short speeches were
then made by whig Senators, all Of whom depre-
Gated the introduction Of the resolutions and plainly
intimated that if they pushed to vote, they
should vote against them,-some for one reason,
and some for another.
The Hobbies Of the Senate chamber had now be-
come crowded; many members of the House, learn
ing the notice Of the debate, in, expecting to
witness the Senatorial scenes re-enacted. But Mr..
Beekman fatered-caved in, as Mr.. Carroll re-
marked-and after pedging himself to stand by
his resolutions, endorsing MIR. Webster, ne gently
rose from his seat, and consented that they might
be referred to the committee en- federal relations
select committee raised at an early period of the
session, but to this hour have had no business con-
uueu 10 them, nor nave tney uiu ucctlHS uNulHB
the session. The resolutions then so referred
If they had been pushed to vote, Mr.. Beekman
would have stood alone among the thirty-two Se-
majors. Why did he consent to that reference!
Why abandon his own resolutions, and Mr.. Web
ster at the same time! Was there any necessity for
his desertion, even if every other Senator did repu
date Mr.. Webster! What caused the sudden
"spikng of his artilleryl' Mr.. Beekman knew
that the committee on federal relations would not
report upon them--he well knew that the reference
was made in order that they might be strangled
effectually. Had he been sincere, he would never
have assented to any reference, but manlully de-
voted for them, if he stood solitary and alone"
lie will receive no more letters from Henry Clay,
endorsing his course, after the news of this days
caving in to Sewarlsm, reaches Ashland.
IL is said that Mr.. Webster has absented himself
from Washington, without leave OF President Fill
mere-that he visited Maryland and Pennsylvania.
for the purpose Of heading off Gen. Scott-that he
is to retire from the Secretaryship of State, in
order to announce himself finally candidate for
the Presidency. Such rumors undoubtedly had
their effect to-day in disposing of Mr.. Beekman's
support Of Gen. Scott, he will not consent that a
Legislature which he holds in his hand, shall invite
arrival to partake of their inequalities Had Mr..
Webster been invited, he would have accepted if
his health had permitted His presence here at III
close of the session, and the deli
which the members would have carried to every
adding thousands to the ranks of the silver greys.
This was evidently foreseen and feared by the Sc
ward secton and the surest way of preventing such
lamentable catastrophe, was to suppress the iny-
taton, and take the responsibility OF repudiatInS
Mr.. Webster. w.