The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-22

When he (Mr. r used the word :. hurried"
ever body must have understood HIM as speaking
meta ph orically. What he meant, was that Mr..
Calhoun's death had been FASTENED by the course
of remark pursued by Mr.. FoorE. Several sena-
tors (Col. BENTON among others) and gentlemen
present at that time had distinctly declared TO him
(Mr. r. the same thing, and some of them spoke
OF the marked effect that debate had on Mr.. Cal
houn. He would not charge Mr.. FoorE with
having designedly intended 10 inJure Mr.. g. Mr..
RHErT went TO question Mr.. FooTE's asser-
ton that MIR. Calhoun mad proposed to amend
the Constitution of the United States. He (Mr.
X. had never heard him make such a proposition.
MIR. FOOTE explained. When the Nashville
convention was in session, proposition Of that
kind had been made by Mr.. Wigfall, citizen of
South Carolina.
Mr.. Rt1ErT said that, while at Nashville, no
such proposition had ever come to his ears But
if there had been, II would not have been very ex-
raordnary as tire Constitution itself provides for
it's amendment. Gen. JACKSON, in his first mes
sage, had proposed IFS amendment. He (Mr r J
was well enough satisfied with the Consultations
il could be carried out fairly, and administered
strictly the principles of the old republican
party. But 1t had not been adhered tot had
been nuhed. Under 1t the North claims a nd does
as 1t pleases, to the injury of the South Ii
can only be amended by two-thirds vote |;
and was 1t to be expected where there is an
overbearng majority two thirds can ever be found
-
ty will never consent, If there is way to check
the central power they assume He believed that
secession was the only way TO effect this. The
States themselves are the legitimate and sovereign
power by which 1t can be effected. The Senator
from Mississippi had alleged that differences had
existed between him Mr.. RI and Mr.. CALHOUN
-intimatng that he Mr.. II. had entertained a
rivalry against that gentleman True it was, he
differed with him on the annexation of Texas and
the Mexican war questions ; but he believed he
mr. RI had been sustained by the people Of his
State both. The Senator from Mississippi,
however, had been with him on both these ques-
tons. What right, then, had he to impute mo-
tives of rivalry If he went with the Senator, he
was denounced, or if he went against him, it was
all the same. What was to be done? No one can
please him.
Mr. X. continued at some length in further re-
ply to Mr.. FooTE. He also alluded to President
Fillmore who was an Abolitlonist, and, sympath-
zing with that faction, would of course sele ct his
officers from its ranks He remarked Also on the
sympathy existing between the Senators from
Mississippi Mr. FooTE,) and New Hampshire
Mr.. HALE.] When the former asserts that, by
the compromise, the South has gained all she
wants, the latter says "yes" to it, There was a
fraternal concord between Mr.. FooTE and the Alb
olltloniss. Both are opposed to the right of Sc
cession, and both In favor of consolidation. The
~ Y. Tribune and National Era, like the Senator
are furious for the Union.
When MIR. RHETT had concluded, Mr.. FooTE
again replied for few minutes.
At CLOCK Mr.. HoUsToN took the floor and
moved an adjournment until Monday, which was
carried
The Senate then went into an executive session