Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-04-01
CONGREss

PosLpoleu ana that the Senate proceed to
the consideration of Executive business S
On this motion quitea spirited debate ensued,
which lasted more than an hour during which the
merits the homestead and other bills were discuss
ed The motion finally prevailed, and the Senate
went into Executive session and spent some time in
the consideration of the Gadsden treaty =, ~
In the House, on the same day, most animated
and sometimes personal debate took place between
Mr.. Cutting, of New York, and Mr. breckenridge, of
Kentucky. Mr. Cutting, is g Hard or Hunker
Democrat and it was on his motion that the Ne
braska bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole, He rose on Monday to reply to former OBJ
servations of Mr.. breckenridge, and to defend him.
self against the charge of having cast one arm
around the measure friend, and with the other
plunging into its heart the murderous stletto" He
spoke with some warmth and ability. The following
is the concluding portion of the debate:
Mr.. Breckenridge then proceeded to review the
course of Mr.. Cutting in referring the bill to the
committee of the whole, and the effect of that
tion in placing it at the foot of the calender where
it may never be reached until the end of the session
The gentleman's arguments are better suited to a
court of law than deliberative assembly. How
the national gentleman from New York to be found
in open union with the enemies of the bill-wth the
abolitionsts and reesoilers this floor? How came
he to receive their congratulations and why do their
presses take him up the hero of killing the Ne
braska bill? He can never rub out from any plain
mans mind that the effect of mis- motion to kill
the bill. believe the administration honestly in
favor of the bill, and 1 will support them that
point, but if the administration were against it
would nevertheless be for it, and they should
drive from my position.
have more connection with the adminstra-
ton than any other man. / owe them nothing
cept what is due to all engaged in the execution of
the laws. am sustained by the majority Of my
constituents the peers of Presidents and Cabinets,
TSlight applause.
So far from driving the gentleman from the sup
port of the bill, it with the profoundest regret
and modification that saw his course. His SYM
pathies were with the I" Hards" and hence the pain
and wounds, especially of the South when they
him turn sharp corner and enter into alliance with
the very worst of political abotionsts in the House.
which every man with five grains of sense knows
to kill the bill do not suppose he has author
ity to speak for any but himself
The gentleman said l was the last man whom he
expected would make assault on him, because in
the day of my greatest need the Hards ~ came to
my aid This nuendo is so deep that do not I'M
derstand it. | ask for explanation.
Mr.. Cuttng.-The explanation will be given. l
am informed that during the canvass in Kentucky,
it being ntimated that funds wanting in order
to accomplish the success of the gentleman, my
friends in New York made up a subscription of some
81, 800, and transmitted the funds to Kentucky to
be employed for the benefit of the gentleman, who
is now the peer of Presidents and Cabinets. Laugh
ter.
Mr. Breckenridge Proudly and defiant.-And
not only the peer of the President and the Cabinet
but the peer of the gentleman from New York in
every respect. Applause on the Democratic side of
the House
Mr. Walsh believe have as good a right to
speak for the "hards' of New York any gentle
man in this hall out of it 1 have stood and
stemmed the torrent of treason in the North, when
those who have attempted to speak for them have
skulked from the threshold of the places where the
meetings have been held, and do not want inn
putaton oe this character to go out unexplained to
the world When came here protested against
the administration interfering with the local affairs
in New York, and now my colleague states that
portion of those who sent him here interered in the
way in Kentucky.
Mr.. Cutting.-Is that all the gentlempn rose for?
Mr. Walsh.-That's all-rn be on hand by and
by though. [Laughter.l
Mr.. Breckenridge.-I do not want scraps of telc-
graphic dispatches for my speech. He denied all
knowledge of any money having been sent from New
York. Thirty thousand dollars were spent to defeat
him, and spent in vain, for he added here l am. l
elected by larger majority than all Wall street
could control in my district Applause. Mr.. B.
then proceeded with considerable severity tn al
lusions Mr.. Cutting had made to furnishing money
for his election remarking that he would never
ciate politically with gentleman who would make
a remark of that sort.
Mr.. Cutting then took the 1oor repeating his
charge that Mr.. Breckenridge had made most
parliamentary and personal assault on him.
Mr.. Breckenridge again denied that he had called
account his intention and motives, and challenged
him to point out the occasion when he had said it
was his intention and motive to destroy the bill.
Nj Cutting. l submit it to the committee whcth-
the whole tone and scope of the gentleman's re-
marks not an attack my motives for making
the motion did. The facts are before the commit
tee. l scorn his imputation. I stand here not his
SUPERIOR but his equal if not lofty that of the
gentleman I stand here the representative Of a
constituency of whom am the mpcrsonation. As
far as concerns myself, when he mputes objects and
purposes hurl back the imputaton with the in
dignation it deserves.
Did not state my views? How does the men,
Der undertake to assert that professed friendship
for measure with view of killing it by sending it
to the foot of the calendar and when said the com
mittee of the whole had under their control the
House bill which they intended to take up, he
treats and escapes and skuks behind the Senate bill
at the foot of the calendar?
Mr. Breckenridge-Rsing hastily and in earnest
tone-I ask the gentleman to Withdraw that last
word. [Sensation.
Mr. Cutting-with emphasis will withdraw
nothing. What have said was said in answer to
the most violent and personal attack ever made on
any gentleman this floor.
Mr. Breckenridge-Wh the gentleman says
skulk he says what is FALSE and he knows it. TGreat
excitement and cries of order. sfsz
Mr.. Cutting T do not answer remarks such as
the gentleman thought proper to employ. They be-
long to different region. am not here to desc
crate my life by answering in such tone and such |
manner. The gentleman said 1 undertook to be
more south crn than the South itself l owe nothing
to the South, do curry favor with that section
of country.
He then proceeded to state explicitly that he did
not that the bill be referred to the committee
to kill it. but merely to take it out of the power of
any one to settle discussion it by moving the pre-
yous question. 49,.
After some further remarks the House adjourned