Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-01-10
Debate between FOote and Rhett in the Senate.


the large audience assembled to hear him.
-~--~~~~-~~~~~~~---~~~~--~~---~~-~-~
Debate between FO0te and Rhett I'm the Senate.
/ MIR. Rhett said that he was not aware that he
had stated anything more than fact which every
one knew. When he said the other day that the
Senator from Mississippi had hurried Mr.. Calhoun
to his grave, he had stated only what he had
heard and he had not said that the Senator from
Mississippi had done so Intentionally. 1t was an
effect produced by the Senator's course, though
not SO designed by the Senator. He heard of it
shortly after it took place the Senator himself
admitted that it had got in the newspapers. Upon
his arrival here he had been informed by two
Senators and by three members of the other
House, that the effect of what the Senator from
Mississippi had done in attacking Mr.. Calhoun,
was to hasten his departure from this world.
He saw nothing so extraordinary in the mere
proposal of an amendment~to the Constitution
to call cut the Senator in reply Mr.. to Calhoun on
that occasion, and alarm him so much as TO attack
him IN manner so extraordinary. He Mr.. R. }
was member of the Nashville Convention, and
during the whole time he was there he had never
heard of any amendments to the Constitution pro-
posed, or intended to be proposed.
Mr.: Foote said that about that time certain
Mr.. Wigfall of Texas, South Carolnan by birth
and held in high estimation by certain class Of
politicians in that State had published manifesto,
in which was contained no less than seven propos-
ed amendments to the Constitution.
Mr.. Rhett said that while he was at Nashville,
he never heard of any amendment to the Consti
tuition, and he had no doubt but the gentleman
before him, Mr.. McRae, J who was also a mem
Der of that convention, would say the same.
Personally he desired no amendment to the
Constitution. He was satisfied with the Constitu-
ton as it The Constitution was all that he
desired That Constitution does not authorize
abolition agitation in Congress nor does it au-
thorize unequal taxation. The Constitution was
not adhered to, The North totally disregardsd it,
The practical Constitution at this day was the will
of the North expressed by the majority, who made
it whatever suited their interests designs The
administration of this Government could never be
brought back to proper observance of the Con-
stltutlon, SO long the majority had full power
to do what they pleased.
The late Senator from Missouri, (Mr. Benton)
told him that the Senator from Mississippi had
thrust Mr.. Calhoun into his grave, and that he
Mr.. Benton) would as soon have thought of at
tacking corpse as to attack Mr.. Calhoun.
The Senator from Mississippi had charged him
with being a political rival of Mr.. Calhoun. 1t
was true he had differed from that great man.
He differed from him in the Mexican war; and he
differed from him in supporting the Senator from
Michigan for the Presidency. In these two par
ticulars he differed from Mr., Calhoun, but agreed
with the Senator from Mississippi. If this differ
ence of opinion amounted to political rivalry, it
was one which the Senator from Mississippi should
have supported. He never knew of any personal
difference with Mr.. Calhoun. He had been ap-
pointed by the Legislature of South Carolina to
deliver an eulogy on Mr.. Calhoun he had in va
rious ways, in speeches and by his pen, defended
Mr. Calhoun; and he ventured to say he had
spent more ink in defence of Mr. Calhoun, perso-
nally and politically, than any other man living.
But there was no satisfying the Senator from Mis-
sissippi if you oppose him he denounces you, and
if you agree with him he attacks your motives.
The Senator had denounced all those who had
supported the line of $50 80, and yet at that very
same session had united in supporting proposition
to divide California by the line of $50 80, one
degree less than those whom he denounced had
asked for.
/ He had never charged that the judges appoint
ed for the Territories held opinions favorable to
the Wilmot provso what be had said was that a
majority of them held the opinion that the Mex-
can laws abolishing slavery were in force in the
Territories.
Mr. Foote said that Judge Baker had shown
that he held no such opinions.
Mr. Rhett said that he was informed Yesterday
that on the stump in Mississippi Judge Baker had
taken the ground that the Mexican laws abolishing
slavery were now in force in the Territories.
Mr. Foote said he was authorized to say such
statement was 1alSe.
Mr. Rhett said that his statement was made on
the authority of one of the judges who now
present in the city.
He saw nothing surprising in Mr. Fillmore, who
entertained the opinion that he himself should Sc
lect and appoint as Judges men who agreed with
him that the Mexican laws were in force. Mr..
Polk, who held different opinions, would have
been careful to ascertain the opinions of the per-
sons whom he should appoint to such places.
i The Senator had observed that he (Mr. R. J
had on some occasions, laughed at the wit of the
f Senator from New Hampshire, and from that drew
the conclusion that there some sympathy be-
tween them. He may have smiled at some o
the speeches of the Senator from New Hampshire
as it was possible he had done at some of those
of the Senator from Mississippi. Was this any
, ground for supposng there was any sympathy IL
their principles? How was it with the Senator
from Mississippi and the Abolitionists On the sub
iect of the Union? The Senator's whole theme
now was he Uuion, the Union So it was with
, the Abotionists The Senator from Ohio, (Mr
i, Chase the Senator from New Y ork, Mr.. Sew
ard, the Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. Sum
ner all had poured forth their eloquence in praise
of the Union. The National Era was the same
the NewYork Tribune was rabid in defence o
the Union. All these persons and these papers
also, united with the Senator from Mississippi IL
denouncing secession they agree with him in ia
vor of consolidation. The aboltionists desire t
deny any State the right of secession and to buit
up here central power, which can govern ant
rule everything. In this the Senator from Missis
. Sinni aurees with them for he saws. at ever,