Squatter sovereign., 1855-02-20

i. L. ABELL, PreSt.
j. H. STRINGFELLow. Sec'y.
Aschison, K. T. January 80. 1866.
Letter from the Editor of the st. Louis
Republican.
JEFFERSON City, Jan. %, 1855.
Although the Legislature was in joint
session all day, and only one ballot for Sem
ator was taken, and that an Intellectual one,
it was still the most exciting day of the
session. Not because they were any mar
ked changes In the ballot, which served to
encourage the hopes of one party or the
other; not because there were flashes of
wit, or severe sarcasm, or any of the per-
| sonal abuse which has, at times, distin-
guished this joint session; but simply be-
cause new turn was given to the discus
sion by Mr.. Cam, Senator from Pike
You may remember, that some days ago I
stated that Mr.. Cam was expected to ad-
dress the joint session. but he did not then
do it, and very few were aware Of his pur-
pose to speak to-day. 1t was understood,
indeed, that after one more ballot an effort
would be made to adjourn the joint session
to a late day in February, and then, if ne
ccssary, to postpone it until the Fall ses-
sion, which, it now seems to be conceded,
will be held.
When Mr.. Cars name was called, he
expressed his desire to occupy the attention
of the members for short time. Before
this day he had been rather quiet men,
Der of the Senate than otherwise-always
present however, and performing his duties,
and voting, when he was called upon to do
so. 1t may be said, therefore, that he took
everybody by surprise, as, In speech of
more than an hours duration, he made de-
Ecidedly the best effort in favor of the cleo
ton of ArcHIsoN which has yet been
made in that hall. The report which is
sent you by this mo. does not do the orator
Justice, but this wi We remedied hereafter
by a full report. lTr. Carr's style of ora
tory is excellent-Es language is dignified
and chaste-his deii,ery sometimes rapid
and impassioned, and at other times calm
and whitening in its calmness. Through
out long speech, which, by general con-
sent, is admitted to be the speech Of the ses-
sion, he kept the assembly, not at any time
a very patient one, in earnest attention,
and when he concluded he was congratu-
lated by his many friends on the success
of his effort. This speech has had the ef-
feet of placing him at once in the front
rank of his party In the State, and his in
fuence hereafter will be felt in all its
movements. Though political opponent,
and giving expression to sentiments to-day,
in regard to the Wing party, from which
entirely dissent, it is yet perfectly compe-
tent for me to bear testimony to the states
manship, the learning. and the splendor of
this effort.
Mr.. BLAIR, the leader of the Benton
party, felt it incumbent On him to respond
to Mr.. Carr speech, and he did SO of-hand;
but it was evident that he appreciated the
character of the gentleman who had so
strongly assailed Mr.. Benton, defended
Mr.. Atchison, and even sustained the
Pierce administration, thing which most
persons now look upon as dead and gone;
and he proceeded more cautiously in this
work than has been his custom when res
| ponding to other gentlemen of the Anti
Benton party. AT the same time he took
bold ground, as you will perceive by look
; ing at the synopsis of his speech, and gave
expression to sentiments which will hardly
be recognized as orthodox by the Bentor
party outside Of St. Louis county. He
may say that they are his own sentiment:
of the Benton party; but the people vii
hardly recognize this distinction, and vii
5 mold the whole party responsible for them
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