Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-03-06
xxxII coNeREss-Fir., Session.
WAmrNeroN, Feb. 81, 1852.

endar was postponed for one hour, to enable
Mr.. Rhe,t to make his reply to Senstovs
Clemens and Cass.
Mr. Rhett said that the reason why he had
ret replied to the anirnsdversions con-
tanned in the speech Of the Senator from
Alabama, tMr. Clemens,) delivered on the
23d of December last, was, that he was
not in the city at the time, and did no,
know Of it till shortly before leaving home.
Since his return, for the last fortnight, he
had been waiting for the compromise re-
solutions 10 be taken up. He had hoped
that when his alteration with Senator
Foote was over that all personal conflicts
on this floor, were at an end. During his
Legislative career, of twenty years, he had !
never SO demeaned himself as TO be invol- |
we'd M any personal controversy. He now
felt annoyed, that here, almost upon cross
ing the threshold Of the Senate Chamber he |
was denounced and arraigned, because of
his conscientious and consistent support of
principle. He must now defend himself
and his positions from charges brought
against him. The Senator from Alabama,
in his late speech, uses The following lam
guage
"The scene We witnessed the other day,
during the delivery by the Senator from
South Carolina Mr.. Rhett) of his harangue.
surprised no one here, but il would have
been matter of profound astonishment 10
the country if they could have been specta-
1r
ior from Massachusetts, MIR. Summer,l the
Senator from Ohio, (Mr. Chase,) and the
Senator from New Hampshire, (Mr. Hale
gathered about him in a sort of pa.ernal
ring, while the counienance of the Senator
from New York (Mr. Seward) was radiant
with gladness. Thus was exhibited the
spectacle of an extreme Southern Senator
denouncing, in no measured terms, the Go.
vernment of his country, and declaring
himself disunionist, on account of alleged
wrongs heaped upon him, with four as
rapid abolionists as this land contains,
drinking in his words with eager approba-
tion, and applauding, cheering and encour-
aging him. All this was nothing new
10 US, however strange it may appear to
the plain and honest yeomanry of the coun-
try. Nor was il, when calmly considered,
at all unnatural "a fellow feeling makes
us wonderous kind There is a sympathy
in treason, as well as in knavery and
those who are earnestly striving TO accom-
plish the same end, need not quarrel about
the separate means employed.n
knavery, and inIeAsr lRAetQ tho Senator
treason and knavery exists between mo
and the four Senators upon this floor who
nave oeen named. How will this charge
oe met will discredit The witness unon
whose testimony the allegation is rounded
va any one here, on that OCCASION hear
eiher OF these Senators applaud or cheer
hm Did the Senator from Ala.ocbr
se''s applaud him =! Will the Senator
say II he applauded or cheered on tba, oc.
casion W.
Nir' summer said that he occupied his
own seat when The Senator from Sop,b
eafollna made his speech That H.. listen.
cd 10 him aitenively. But, as 1--we,
ot the Union, he coud not applapd e;,bo,
IN feeling or expression, many of the sen.
.'nen's OF the Senator. On the contrary
ne heard much that he strongly di.septed
from. N'''eh'eo
MT, Rhett asked MIR. Chase to say whe.
'hef ne had aPpauded or cheered.
Mr.. Chase said he had listened ,o tho
Senator with great attention. He could
NOT believe that he had violated the rules
oy appauding or cheering. So far as the
oena'or had expressed the State RIGHTS
doctrines OF Jefferson and Madison. his
speech met his hearty approval; but that
part which denounced the Union he did
"o' approve, applaud, cheer or encourage.
Mr. khett said he would call no more
witnesses. Every Ser ator presen, Imam ,
the truth of The matter. They all knew ,
'hat no one had either applauded or cheer. ,
GU MN on that occasion Notwithstanding
which, The Senator from Alabama had de- =
eiafed, IN his speech, that these Senator,
mad done both There was but little g
sympathy or affinity between him and c
these Senators. The Senators from New il
lofK' ohlo, New Hampshire and Massa.
ohuse''s mad all been heard in loud, long
and repeated praise of this Union. He
un'ted In no such songs, though the Sen. n
a'or from Alabama did. He now proceed. n
cd 10 show that the Senator from Alabama ;,
h'd not himself stand in such a position as q,
% arFaign any man for inconsistency or ~
lishohor' tie then read 10 the Senate sew. VI
eral pages of matters which he said he in. pr
ended TO prove against MIR. Clemens re
When about half way through, he said he nj
lad leit one sheet at home, but would print tn
with his speech. No
Mr. Clemens insisted upon its being ~,
cad no~ He would reply to the speech a.
once, and not wait till it was published :.
Mr. Rhet said he would go and get il, ~
nd' amid considerable laughter, left the aP
ena'e chamber for his hotel. rel
Alier an interval of several minutes he fir
einrned with The MISSING naner ub;ob an