The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-03-01
THE KANSAS DEBATE IN THE SENATE.-MEsSRS.
HALE AND To0MRg

HALE AND TooMBS.
The debate Kansas affairs continued in the Sem
Thursday by Messrs Hale Toombs II was gen.
orally expected that Mr. Hale would make an effort to re-
gain the ground lost by him in the personal
ter which occurred aew days since between him and SEN
ator Jones, Of Tennessee Mr.. Hale concluded however
that discretion the better part Of vsor with such an
antagonist and thereby disappointed large audience who
anticipated another exhibition of talents in the way of
spicy wit and keen repartee for which both Of these
tors have wide reputation Mr. Hale preferred 10 take
up challenge made by the President and repeated by Mr.
Toucey to the effect that the President had discharged his
nregard the troubles in Kansas He went over
the beaten track Of abolition failed to make the slightest
impression upon the impegnable positions advanced by
the President in his message and proclamation and so ably
sustained by hess Toucey and Jones He was quite as
savage as Mr.. Wilson on the "border rufTiansn and
the acts of their legislature Much of his speech was
devoted to the general subject of slavery and to reading
extracts from newspapers and resolutions to show that
certain New England politicians who are now sound dem
ocrsts tnctured with free-som some ten years age
This portion of bis speech mere rehash of the habit
ua can't Of abolitionis and evidently intended for
Buncombe He seemed 10 be especially provoked at the
charge that the North bad been guilty Of aggression upon
the rights Of the South II bold assertion was
men he repealed the charge His argument in support Of
the constitutional power Of Congress prohibit slavery
in the Territories showed clearly that Mr. Hale mistakes
his genius when he launches upon constitutional discs
sion.
lie made up however in bodness OF assertion what he
lacked In strength Of argument He professed to be able
to put his finger the clause in the constitution which
gives the power and falling into the that Mr. Seward
was familiar with that instrument Mr. Hale handed that
gentleman the constitution to the clause Whether
Mr. Seward ignorant the clause referred to- or
whether his acquaintance with the constitution was not
sufficiently intimate he unable to find it before Mr.
Hale needed in the progress Of his remarks and there
fore he proceeded quote m memory II turned out to
he the clause which gives Congress power to make all ne
ruler and regulations In respect to the TERRITORY and other
property Of the United sates He seemed to think there
was much meaning in the word ALL and laid much stress
on ii Like every other one who has ever sought the
power in this clause he made an utter failure lie de-
noOneed with great bitterness the northern udoughcc
Whom he charged with having beeu bought up by the
South = = 10y
MI Ioombs followed In the discussion; and altho ,Rb
De occupied less than half the time of Mr. Hale his reply
70 every material position was full and conclusive. He
sustained the course of The President in an argument which
% oearues force coneusveness and eoquencc has been
seldom equaled In the Senate lie relied for his facts upon
voc omc'a documents, and by them he showed that the
resident had followed tho law Of the land in his policy
'crnppious fidelity, and that he had nerposed his
SA'e"uVe authority at the right time and in the right
uer-ne'ther too soon too late but at the very time
oe facts called for and justified bis interposition
MT loombs commenced earnest defence Of the char
WET Of Mr. Atchison, but Mr. Halo discaimed any inten-
Won In his remarks to sssail Mr. Atchison. Mr. Toombs