The southern press., 1851-12-23

any portion OF ms conduct on this matter. And
as those measures had once been settled, he de-
sired, as Democrat, nothing farther than the
Democratic platform in relation to the slavery
question TO stand upon. That platform was
not proscriplive. Members OF the Democratic
party may, and do, differ various ques
tions--on the subject OF internal improve
ments--on the tariff they have differed widely
but they are not TO be excluded from that
party for these differences Of opinion. Their
platform was a wider one than that. IL gentlemen
had departed from it, let them return II they please.
They can be restricted by no mere paper rssolu
ton. The object of this resolution seemed to be
to legisate a political platform, for the people
here IN the Senate--a matter with which Congress
had no business. Its duty rather to transact
the peoples business. He had always considered
the rule for II to observe be, that to the repre-
sentative are delegated by his constituents, only
such powers as they, iii their individual capacity
are unable TO exercise. He had always been op
posed To sending out political opinion from here.
The people could make it for themselves and II
the Democratic platform is not broad enough, let
them add another plank. In the course of his re
marks, Mr. II. said ii had been his misfortune to
have been charged here with having nssaed South
Carolina. Once for all, he wished to be under
stood, in anything he may have said on former
occasion, as alluding not TO the people of that
State. but to the rulers. He did moi deny the pa
triotism of South Carolina, but her policy. Mr.
H. then proceeded to speak of the constitution
Of South Carolina, which he cOntended was
illiberal--that it prohibited her citizens from
voting for President, governor, &c, and placed
their election in the hands of it's Legislature,
thereby cheating them out of their rights &C.
especially the people IN the high lands, who,
under the operation of "a rotten borough system,
could not exercise equal privileges with those in
the lowlands. lf the gallant Butler had returned
from Mexico, he could not have had the privilege
of voting. There were certain men who had
rather be chiefin village than second in Rome;
perhaps it was the policy of similar class in
South Carolina, to keep in ignorance great many
people there, who know no more about who are
to be voted for than they know of the interior of
Africa.
Mr.. FOOTE rejoined, and in the course of his
remarks intima,ed pretty strongly that the Sena
tor from Texas, lMr. HoUsToN,) was dema
gogue, who was seeking to be President and try
ing to gain freesoil votes. Looking TO Mr.. RAN
ToUL Ia member Of the House from Massachu-
setts.) he (Mr. F spoke Of 'the special audience
which, he said had assembled to hear Mr.. HoUs
Won. This elected sur-rejoinder from Mr. H.,
who denied the senators intlmatiOns, and related
an anecdote which produced considerable laugh
ter seemingly at his (Mr F's.) expense.
Subsequently, Mr.. BUTLER replied warmly to
the imputatons of Mr.. HousToN on the internal
State policy Of South Carolina. He was followed
by Mr., HALE, who remarked upon the wonderful
effect which Mr.. FooTE S resolution had already
produced to allay sectional anmoslty IN the Sen
ate, and specuated upon its probable effect else
where. Mr.. CLEMENS finally took the floor, and
after saying that it was not his intention to reply
to the Senator last up, as "a circus clown is
always entitled to peculiar privileges, he signlhed
his desire to speak tomorrow, and moved an ad-
journment
Al clock, the Senate adjourned accordingly.