Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-28
CONGRESS-.
AN EXCITING DEBATE.

rHIRTY-THiRD coSGREss--FiRsT SESSION.
AN EXCITING DEBATE.
After our columns had closed yesterday,
debate occurred in tho House Of Representa-
tiyes, brief report Of which we quote from
the National Intelhgeneer Of this morning.l
The House Of REPRESENTATIVES Yesterday re-
solved itself into Committee Of the Whole on
the Custom House bill, Mr.. Hamilton in the
chair; but the Chairman decided that before
that bill could be taken up, all those preceding
it must first be set aside; and that the first
business in order was the consideration Of the
bill making appropriations for tho civil and
year ending June 30, 1865. Mr.. Houston NOV
ed that the Committee take up the bill named
by the Chair; which was agreed to.
Mr.. Cutting then arose and replied to the
remarks made by Mr.. Breckenridge on Thurs
day last. HeSadverted to his course in moving
that the Senate Nebraska bill be committed to
the Committee Of the Whole on the state of the
Union, and said that at that time he gave his
reasons for the act, and declared that there
was no gentleman on this floor who was to be
regarded as a stronger and more jealous advo-
cate of the great principle which the measure
was said to contain-that of Neutrality-suspicious.
than he was. But the bill required amend
ment and discussion before it could receive
that support to which, in his opinion, it was
entitled After this subject had been disposed
Of and fter the elapse Of some two days, gem
tleman from acknowledging State, who had had
no lot or parcel in it's discussion, "a a volunteer
merely, came into the House, and thought it
not incompatible with his character ms q lead
ing member to undertake to assail his motives:
though it was true that he disclaimed any in
tenti0n Of attacking them. The gentleman
Mr.. Breckinridgel came into the House, with
concentrated wrath and bitterness, to assail
him for having in his place, and under his re-
sponsibility as member, stated his views
frankly as to the direction this bill ought to
take
The gentleman had charged him with being
q secret enemy of the BILL and while profess
ing friendship for it, as having taken a course
which would end in its destruction. When
did the gentleman from Kentucky ever hear
him say he was friendly to the bill? The gem
teman was present and heard him declare his
opposition to il in tho share in which it came
from the Senate, and the Belief that not only
himself but q majority of the House, would be
found against it. Had not the gentleman sufi-
cient perspicuity of understanding to know
the difference between the principles involved
in measure and a. bill which profeesed to
carry them out And when he Mr.. ca de-
clared in this Honse frankly and openly, before
the question on the motion to commit was put
that he was against the bill, but in favor of
the principles which it protested to enact how
came the gentleman to undertake to declare
that he (Mr. C. had declared hinlself friend
of the bill, against the record against tho re-
ports that appeared everywhere?
The gentleman had complained that by the
motion to commit he Mr.. c. had consigned this
measure to the tomb Of tn, Capulets. IL this
were so, and this bill could never again he
brought before the House. why did tho gentle
man submit an hours argument to prove that
it ought to pass TWAS time wasted time
thrown away. No gentleman acquainted with
the orders OF the calendar could for moment
believe that sending this bill to the Committee
of the Whole would prevent action on il this
were SCORES and scores of hills before Il on the
calendar. Now, what We the fsotl Thees
were some eighteen o. nlnSteen bills md REQ
lutions al told, large and small, d great shd
little degree, ahead Of Il On the calendar in
cluding appropriation bills, which were subject
10 the control of the Committee Of Ways and
Means Then why, with this fact staring the
gentleman in the face did the gentleman I'M
dertake, for the purpose Of making an assault
on him. to declare that there were scores upon
scores of bills before this measure on the cal
endar9 By what authority did the gentleman
who had supposed connection with the Ad-
ministration, complain Of him, q friend Of the
measure, of undertaking TO send it to tomb,
where there was mountain piled npon it, for
the purpose Of creating false impression in
the public mind
For the course he had seen proper to pursue
L. Lol Led -. ,c "a
of them, the Union. il was said, conducted by
the Clerk Of this Housc) and by other presses
How was it that he, friend Of the measure,
had been selected AZ a victim to drive off those
who had given the principle their support
Was il to assassinate the friends who had stood
with him on this subjects
Mr.. Breckenridge Does the gentleman in
tend TO apply that remark 10 me =
Mr.. Cutting Not unless you consider your
self a portion Of tho Union newspaper
MIR. Breckinridge. was at that M ment
taking a note and heard the word. would
ask whether the gentleman applied the remark
to me
Mr.. Cutting. did not am the ,nly one
charged with being an assassin.
He had been subject TO the continual attacks
Of New York papers, which, while opposing
this measure, were enjoying the patronage Of
the Administration.
In the course Of his rcmarks he said that
there was but ono tingle ground upon which
the Democracy OF the North could stand, and
that was the principle of non.intervention. If
this was found in the bill he should vote for il;
and the reason why he wished it referred was
for the purpose Of examining into the matter,
that there might be distinct and plain un-
Outstanding between the different sections Of
the country, as to the character Of tho act 70
that there might be no misunderstanding upon
the subject of the principles contained IL IL.
Mr.. Breckenridge said that he had TO- borne
to interrupt the gentleman but whilst Lis re-
marks were fresh in his mind he wished TO re-
ply.
Mr. Cutting yielded and no objection was
made 10 MIR. BIS proceeding.
Mr. Breckenridge said that he had listened