The southern press., 1851-12-23

any portion of his 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 proscriptye Members OF the Democratic
party may, and do, differ on various qnes
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 wider one than that. IL gentlemen
had departed from it, let them fthey please
They can be restricted by no mere paper resolu
ton. The object of this resolution seemed to be
to legslate political platform, for the people
here in the Senate--a matter with which Congress
had no business. Its duty was rather to transact
the people s business. He had always considered
the rule for.s ar observe to be- that 10 the repre-
sentative a f~,legated by his constituents, only
such powej they, in their individual capacity
are unableD exercise. He had always been oP
posed to sending out political opinion from here.
The people could make it for themselves; and If
the Democratic platform is not broad enough, let
them add another plank. In the course of his re-
marks, Mr.. II. said it had been his misfortune to
have been charged here with having assailed South
Carolina. Once for ALL he wished TO be under
stood, in anything he may have said on former
occasion, as abiding not to the people OF that
State, but to the rulers. He did not deny the pa
triotism of South Carolina, but her policy. Mr.
ii. then proceeded TO speak Of the constitution
Of South Carolina, which he contended was
illiberal-that it proI lbltsd 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 rishts,&c.-
especially the people in the high lands, VINO,
under the operation of "a rotten borough system,
could not exercise equal privileges with those IN
the lowlands. II the gallant Butler had returned
from Mexico, he could not have had the privilege
Of voting There were certain men who had
rather be chiefn village than second in Rome;
perhaps it 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 ..'. ,.. .......'" ... ...s Ill.
Mr.. FOOTE rejoined, and in the course of his
remarks intimated pretty strongly that the Sena
tor from Texas, (Mr. HoUsToN,) was dema-
eogue, who was seeking to be President and try
ing to gain freesoil votes. Looking to Mr.. RAN
roUL 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 a sur-rejolnder from Mr.. H.,
who denied the senators intlmatlons, and related
an anecdole which produced considerable laugh
ter seemingly at his (Mr. F's.) expense.
Subsequently, Mr.. BUTLER replied warmly to
the impulations 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 alay sectional anlmosty IN the Sen
ate, and specialized 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 signihed
his desire to speak tomorrow, and moved an adj
iournment. ... 49,.
: ALA clock, the Senate adjourned accordingly.