Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-12-18
SCENES IN THE Commons.

1HS commons IAN WAS Ll6 arena OF q struggle
last Tuesday evening IN which the Wing members
showed "great irmness of purpose" if not much
:" strength of intellect" At hafpast three o'clock
the non-intervention resolutions introduced by
Mr.. Leach on Saturday were taken up. Messrs.
Avery, s. p. Hill and other Democrats opposed
them on the ground that they were inexpedient and
unnecessary; and as they were likely to consume
much time in discussing them Mr.. Hill moved tolay
them upon the table. The Wings having ma
jority refused to do So Mr.. Avery stated that as
the resolutions were broad and unqualified in their
nature he could not support them, as he deemed
1t the duty of government to interfere IN case
Spain should attempt to cede the island OF Cuba
to any other power, and this the resolutions con-
demned. He therefore proposed to add an amend
ment making this exception to the sweeping char
acter of the resolutions and Wings voted it down.
Mr. Hill proposed an amendment that the resolu-
tons should not be construed to prohibit the Uni
ted States government from interfering in case any
European power should attempt to establish mon
archy on our continent; and this the Wings also
voted down. Mr.. Avery then proposed to amend
by declaring that the resolutions should not extend
to the prohibition of interference when it was ne
cessary for selfprotection and Wings voted down
even this !!
Thus according to Wing principles, as develop
ed in the House of Commons Spain may cede Cuba
to Great Britain, France, or any other power-the
Gar of Russia may establish a monarchy in Mex
leo, and any other nation may leopard our laws
and institutions by any means they please, and our
government should not interfere to prevent it. The
novelty of such doctrine is only equalled by its
The session was prolonged until nearly eight o.
clock at night, and great excitement and confusion
prevailed most of the time. The resolutions were
no doubt intended as firebrand to infan1e party
animosity; and the Democratic members viewing
them in this light, and considering them objection
able also account of their broad and unqualified
nature, and looking upon them mere abstrac-
lions, with no binding force, no practical bearing
opposed them. When the vote was taken there
was scarcely a quorum present. The Wings claim
their passage victory, but we consider it a very
empty one. We have heard several Wings regret
that they were introduced at a-in fact we believe
a majority Of them regretted it; but as they were
introduced they stuck to party and voted for them.
Several Democrats also voted for them, as they be-
ieved the principles embodied in them generally
correct. At the same time they protested against
hem useless, and calculated only to consume
lime. For further particulars see proceedings.
On Wednesday evening another scene was en-
acted. A large number of the Sons of Temper
lnce having met in the City for the purpose Of
holding Convention MIR. Spruill of BERTHE offered
resolution rendering them the use of the Com
mons Hall at nj ht. Col. Mcneil of Robson, adj
coated the resolution in very animated speech
several members opposed it. the most conspicuous
mong whom was Mr. Miller, the member from
Caldwell. A motion to lay the resolution upon
he table having been voted down, this gentleman
prang to his feet, very much excited, and declared
is intention to speak until midnight After speak
1g for few moments the "noise and confusion "
ecame so great that the Speaker had the lobbies |
leared. Mr.. Spruill at length withdrew the reso-
ution saying he did so to avoid a scene disgrace
III to the State. A motion to adjourn at last pre-
allied, and put an end to contest which was cal |
ulated to reflect no credit upon the House.