Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-06-12
SENATOR Bell of Tennessee.

There were few men in the ;outh who stood
higher with the Wing patty, or who were more
generally respected by all parties, than John Bell.
His high bearng his candor. his straightforward
action and unwavering integrity of character had
won for him high position inithe estimate even of
those who were politically opposed to him. while
his acknowledged ability mate him one of the lea
ders of the Senate. Few there are at The South
who do not regret his course upon the Nebraska
bill. Few there are who do not regret OF behold
ing him separate himself from the friends who have
so loug battled with him in common cause, and
enlist under the standard supported by Senators
Chase, Sumner, and Wade, for they are the lead
ers in the anti.Nebraska movement. Under their
auspices was the contest in the Senate had, and
after the battle had been fought, at the eleventh
hour even, came Senator Bell to bring upthe rear
division of the scattered forces of AEolitionism,
which the San Jacinto helo had been unable to
rally. He threw himself into the breach only to
be repulsed more sit nally than his abolition pre-
decessors had been. The abolition banner went
down, and the country; other than abohtoniss,
regretted the false position which Senator Bell had
assumed. 1t was regarded as The hasty step OF a
bold, hgh-mnded man, who for once had mista-
ken daring and supposed Independence for reason
ana right, and all hoped that time would convince
would prompt him TO acknowledge his mistake and
abandon his uncongeniul associates. For theSen-
alor from Texas no such hopes were entertai ed,
and no change was expected. His bids had be-
come so notorious thai his motives were at once
understood, and no thought nor wish was express
ed for his reclamation. We regret 10 record The
sun. When the BilIretnrned from Inc House. Sem
aer Bell far from returning to the national ground
ship of his abolition confederates and again acted
against The rights of the South and the welfare OF
the Union. He had the right 10 choose his position,
nor sha we impugn his motives for Sd DONG
His past character entities him even now 10 the
credit of proper motives, and such they may have
been.
Buthis late speech be fore the Senate isone which
reflects no credit upon its author, which lowers
the standard of Senatorial deccrum and dignity,
and shows 10 whal excuses bad company AMI
bad cause can lead even such a man as John Bell.
Throlg bout his remarks he exhibits petulancy, a
want of courtesy, disposition 10 provoke person
allies, ard thus gave him opportunity to eyaae
the weakness of his position, which is anything
but creditable and, we think little better than dis
graceful. FoEonce John Bell has stopped far be-
low lie dignity of Senator, las compromised his
own high character, and has shaken public conf
dence in the integrity of public actors. Had 9TH
ers manifested themselves thus we should not have
been surprised. The hot-bed fellowship of Chase,
Wade and Sumner is not slow 10 germinete the
evil genus, which Senator Bell has manifested,
wanting in appreciation of true honor, utterly de-
void of those elevated sentiments, which should
characterize Senators, their companionship and
fellowship is we'll suited for dragging down others
10 their level, while it can never elevate.
IL any man couldhav withstoodits evil effects,
that man was John Bell, but he has not been proof
against the natural effects of bad company, and
whether from that or some other cause, has exhib
tied character before the Senate which all must
TegIet. No Senator seemed free from his person
aIities. The Senator from Delaware, Mr.. layton,
respected os Re is by ALL is insulted grossly for at
tempting in the most courteous manner 10 recon-
Gle conflict of statement, MI Badger is treated
in the same manner Tor having s'understood that
all the Southern Wing Senators ere in favor of
the bill,'' statement " hich Senator Bell heard
him make and suffered 10 pass uncorected for
weeks, while Mr.. Toombs is abused fer stating the
occurrences at the caucus and inferrng therefrom
that Senator Bell agreed with the other Senatorsn
this action, ecause he did not dissent from the act
of The meeting. The fact is that Mr.. Bell did not
at that time know his own position ard was un-
willing 10 commit himself by dissenting from the
statement OF MIR. Badger, and was not willing in
caucus TO dissent therefrom for the same reason
Hence his chagfin at his present position. He is
mortified at his bedfellows, dissatisfied with him
self, but not convinced of his error. and thus he
must act and how. the late speech but loo plainly
shows, in order 10 extricate himself from the false
position in which he has placed himself befo:e the
country.
u IN
delivered in the Senate from such source. Chase
& Co. may do so and no great harm will follow, as
men viii look at The authors and the effect is d. adj
but when such man as John Bell enters himself
as gladiator in their arena, his example may be
followed and must prove injurious to the Senate,
10 the country, and 10 that hue dignity and deco
rum which should characterize a Senator of
the Union.
THE REEusAL TO SELL BURus.-Mr. H. W.
Allen, of Louisiana says tlht Col Suttle's refusal