The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-03-03
MEssRs. CLEMENS AND RHETT.

letter of our Washington correspondent, nave
advised our readers that these two gentlemen
have had personal alteration in the Senate
of the United States. The language employed
in the controversy was altogether unsuIied
to that place. There was time when sueh
was not INDUCED there; but in late years Inc
dignity of the Senate has been somewhat im-
paired and although this bout between the
Southern Senators does not create as much
.urnr;se as if would have done twenty years
ago. il is still very much out Of place uttered
there.
On the 23d Of December last, Senator Gle
mems. of Alabama, made speeoh on tine Com
nromise bill. in which occurred the following
passage:
"Tbe scene we witnessed the other day, during
the delivery by the Senator from South Carolina
orr Rhet) of his haraague, surprised no one here;
but il would have been a matter OF profound aston
ishmcnt to the country, if they cou d have been
spectators of what occurred. There was the Sena-
tor from MASSACHUSETTS,, (Mr Sumner,) the Senator
from Ohio Mr., Chase) and the Senator from New
Hampshire, Orr Hae,) gathered about him, IN a
sort of fraternal ring while the countenancc OF the
Senator from New York, (Mr. Seward) was radiant
with gladness. Thus exhibited the spectacle
of an extreme Southern Senator denounceag, an no
measured terms the government OF mas country and
declaring himself a disHnioaist on account OF al,
legged wrongs heaped upon him, with Jour as rd6td
Abolai0Risfs as this land contains, drinking IN hts
words with e3ger appreciation ppauding, cheer
ing, and encouraging him. All this was nothing
new to US, however strange 1t may appesr 10 the
plain ard honest yeomanry OF the country
Nor was il, when calmly considered, at ali uhna-
tural-
"A fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind
There is sympathy IN treason, as Teu as an hnd-
+l1E cyr n NJ
lish the same end need not quarrel abort hsSeerote
means employed"
Friday last, Mr.. RHETT called the attention
of the Senate to this passage in Dir. CLEMENS
speech He stated that he had indu'ged the
hope that with his alteration with Dir. FooTE
all personal controversy on the subject had
ceased, and he expressed his regret that this
hope was not realized. Mr.. r. then proceeded,
as he alledged, to discredit the testimony of
Mr.. C. He appealed TO the Senate to say
whether he was applauded by any of the Sem
ators named. He asked the Senator from Mas
sachuscus whether he had applauded him on
the occasion.
Mr.. SUMNER answered that he had not; but
ON the contrary, entertained strong feelings of
dissent from ule VI
Senator from South Carolina.
Dir. RHErT next appealed to Mr. CHASE,
who answered that as far as Mr.. r. sustained
the State Rights doctrines of Jefferson and
Madison, he agreed with him; but when he
spoke against the Union. he dissented from
him entirely. He had, however, given no out
ward expression of his appreciation or disap-
probation.
Mr.. RHETT would leave it to the country
how far the Senator was entitled to credit i'll
his charges. He then charged upon the Sen
ator Inconsistencies in his speeches, and quoted
from them 10 prove it. He charged that he got
into the Senate by coalition Of portion of
the Democratic party with the Wings of the
Alabama Legislature-he receiving the sup
port Of the latter party on the ground of the
following pledge communicated TO that party
in caucus:
IF elected to the United States Senate, pledge
myself that | will support the administration If
Genera. Taylor" Signed "Jere. Clemens"
Mr.. R. contended that he had discredited
the witness, and shown that he was not in a
condition TO arraign others.
Mr.. CLEMENS rejoined with much bitter
ness. He said the Senator had complained
that he had called him "knaye' and traitor"
he would now add 10 these, the epithet of
coward" Mr.. c. was here checked by the
Chair. Mr.. C. continued that he who would
not take another opportunity to defend himself
from the charge of "knavery," but would re-
sort 10 this mode, "did not deserve the name
Of man
The Senator, continued Mr. Clemens, had said he
had discre dited the witness. How, and by whom?
By the evidence of two of his co-c0aspirat0rs.
NJ one, but the Senator, supposed that he meant
that tue Senators from Massachusetts, Ohio, and
New Hanpehir had made open demonstrations of
applause or had given expression to cheers but il
was the evident satisfaction with which they listened
to him. The Senator from New Hampshire had LETT
his seat, aud occupied one near the Senator; and
after he had concluded his speech, they surrounded
him. shaking hands with and congratulatirs him.
This the Senator could no deny.
Mr. Rhett made remark which was not heard
Mr. Clemens Mr. Chase did you not shake
hands with him on that occasiOnl
Mr.. Chase understood TO say taat he mad
Mr.. e. then asked the Senator from Alabama
upon what authority he styled him as a cocoon.
spirator OF any one
Mr.. Clemens said he could answer but cue at a
time. BE then alluded TO the apparently warm and
friendly personal relations which existed between
the Senator from South Carolina and the Senator
from Massachusetts,, (Mr. Sumner) and the Sen ator
from Ohio, (Mr. Chase) He appeared here on all
occasions on the most friendly terms with them
while at home, in South CsroiiEa he denounced
them as traitors, as men belonging 70 that party
the Abolinonists-who had resolved that the en-
shution was compact with he'll &c.
The Senator complained that he had caIu,nniated
bum. 1t was beyond the power OF man to do it
Did not the Senator get up here in the Senate and
proclaim himself traitor And he now com.
him with being that which he hsd openly syowed
himself to be
Mr.. Z. sad that the Senator was a man fsr ,chom
ne had ne0ey much fancy. When he came to ,l,e
SENATE he tar. CD had declined the usual cour.
tesy and had refused an Introduction 10 Tie Sen0,oy
After fnrt er remarks, he said that he had read ot
darkness an aaich ripos croaced among The D1nyf;
tnde hsstn ta stagtessi he alacays applied at0 h.
senator HlsAss'Hg 'ods e'aeays TO be heard but he
possessed hosting.
DIR. CLEMENS proceeded to answer the
charges ofinconsistency, and the charge of bar.
GAINING with tho yNt;rs