The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-13

wing doctrine comes not with very good grace IRON
a gentleman associated with the majority OF this body,
Who during The period have mentioned, have main.
tanned il here A TO the reason for the charge know
not that anything fell IRON me 10 indicate tina, have
party views in reference 10 this matter. spoke OF the
propriey OF continuing the practice.
Now, the honorable senator tIom Arkansas may feel
al liberty. Haay feel disposed il nomination is sent
in here from his State, 10 express upon this oor,
and in public, his opinion concerning it, But | not
myself, perhaps, man OF so much nmness and nerve
as be u.s. And let remark. that this rule OF the Sen
ate has been made for our own protection, and ought
not TO be submitted TO the discretion OF the President
II pertains in this particular 10 the dignity OF this body
that il should regulate IFS own affairs repeat that II
a nomination is here, and the President consuts
with us in relation the proprety OF that nomination.
that proposition confidential IN It's character Suppose
the chairman OF the committee TO which the nomination
ia referred in this body appeals 10 Tor all the M
formation give in regard 10 the nominee he
says Here is a nomination IRON your own Stale you
know the man; what do you say to the nomination!
reply 10 him: Why, he Is man whom have known
for some time; he my neghbor and my candid opin-
ion is that he is not man OF such integrity as to en-.
lille him to this office. Now, would any chairman OF
any committee of This body feel himself at liberty to
mort 10 this nominee that had expressed doubts in
sard 10 his integrity Would any member OF the com
miee who had consulted senator from the State IRON
which the nominee feel at liberty 10 disclose
communication asked Tor as confidential, and commune
Gated as such And yet if there would be no pro-
prey ia that, would there be any property In calling
pablic assemblage in these galleries, drawn here by
curiosity, or other motives, TO listen to what might
saw with respect 10 mfn whose vlndctive feelings,
The honorable senator seems to consider that all pub
lie affairs are OF public nature. So they but there
coming before US connected with the con-
6dential relation stand in towards the President
tha, are in their nature CONFIDENTIAL and ought to be
treated and will be treated IN private intercourse al
least by all honorable men, Now, know am
tous as any about involving myself in any matter OF
this kind But must be permitted TO say, that what.
ever may be the views and feelings OF other gentlemen,
hone and trust that shall leave this place and take leave
~ nnblic life with q better consciousness than the con-
seriousness OF having founded every act OF mine party
considerations disown any such impulatlon In the
remarks that have made certainly had mo regard no
view 10 any question OF party. II this had been party
question: the matter would have been committed to other
gentlemen and MOTTO me.
Under these circumstances, have only to say that in
the few remarks have made in respect 10 this subject
have only had reference hat is the
and the proprey OF that practice, without reference to
M BIZ TIER This is no the first time that this sub
iec has been under consideration since have been a
member OF this sody. recolect that some five or SIX
wears ago some honorable senator from Ono, Mr.: AL
LENT senator from the State the mover OF this
resolution submitted resolution OF the same kind and
know the discussion OF that subject and The dIvlso
upo il had no party complexion. But all OF the old and
respected senators who then in The Senate Mr..
Calhoun Mr. Clay, Mr.. Webster, and all the fathers OF
the republic without distinction to party. insisted upon
the necessity of this ancient nsage-ht IS, upon the
Senate continuing to be confidential body for certain
purposes advise the Presidents and should be very
sorry to see this usage departed from.
men OF the United States were an undisguised and sim
pie democracy perhaps the honorable senator might well
insist upon resolution OF this kind to make the Senatea
anphheae for the discussion OF all subjects, as was
done in Athens, and those democracies where the vote
was taken directly from the people But we are con-
iederacy Of organized republics. conederaled republics
and to its usages also, feel bound Why SIR, IN private
life, when we have very grave matters to consider,
call friends in conhden,ialy Our grand JurIes
are Organized upon the same principle.
Mr. BlklAND And lmprOpey, too.
Mr.. BUTLER. Well, am one OF those who believe
that there is much wisdom ia the experience, the
trial and ordeal OF time, than in the opinion OF any man
II has been quantity said by that constitutions
made by few sober men TO control themselves and
the many when they drunk | believe il is wise
provision establish this prac IN order TO guard our
selves against the excitement OF other occasions.
Now, have heard discussions going here IN respect
TO treaties which think should not be made public. And
II foreign nallons 10 understand that we were to
conduct in relation TO all our foreign IN
tercourse openly and publicly doubt very much wheih-
they would make communications to this government
that would be OF much service TO US doubt very much
whether they would not withhold from all clue tc
their particular systems OF policy so as to render us una
bic negotiate with them satisfactorily and lnleligenty
know ii ia said that this model republic is TO pu
everything housekeeping that has heretofore
taken the precep,s OF ancestors
30 many impsd'menis IN the way OF modern anaITs
Now, l do not think So have largely developed wha
is called the organ of veneralon. Now, II we were o
open the galleries OF this Senate when we come TO dis
nominations, rather than take my share OF collision,
10 the street with the man who might consider himself
insuiled by what said about him here, would ~
many instances say nothing al all when under other cir
comsiances might be led by sense OF duty TO do So
should desire to subject myself 10 popular mobs or
gained outside OF this Capitol which should do were
10 give my opinion in many cases under those crcum
stances
The old forms OF government are crumbllng away
Democratic clubs and associations taking the place
10 all those where ! think principles should ema
nate from the people am not much OF friend TO these
organizations as the senator from Arkansas. | am
friend the doctrine that popular opinion rs TO be
spectod; but am not Trend TO the doctrine that
CARDS the people an irresponsible multitude. | lool
upon the people OF this country, II we are TO preserve
our liberties, grave tnbunal-one OF intelligence
and that kind of intelligence which is to command thu
respect of the world Il is upon that ground that wisl
10 preserve, in every form can this government IN III
ancient form, and would not break down. Intentionally
at least, any Of the great landmarks which our fore
fathers have prescribed 10 government
Mr. SUMNER. Party illusions and party considera
tons have been brought to bear upon this question.
wish to regard for moment in The light OF the con
stiuon and OF institutions
In the constitution there is injunction OF secrecy OF
any OF the proceedings OF the Senate nor Is there AM
requirement Of publicity. To the Senate IS lett abso
luey the determination OF its rules OF proceedings. II
thus absainng from all regulation OF this matter, thu
trainers OF the constitution have obviously regarded AZ
IN all respects within the discretion OF the Senate to be
exercised from time TO time IL thinks best
The Senate exercises three important fuDctons Fret
the legislative parliamentary power, wherein II acts
ooncurreDty with the House of Representatives well
az the President secondly, the power to advise and
CONSENT 10 treaties with foreign countries
with the President and thirdly, the power TO advise
and consent TO nominations by the President to Offices
under the constitution. say nothing OF another rare
called into execlse-be sole power TO try mpeachmenis
~ The hfst organization oil the government, all the
proceedings OF the Senate whether legislation or on
uesues or on nominations, with closed doors In
md futty hua,-