Daily American organ., 1856-05-03
sharp Debate in the Senate.

In the Senate, yesterday, Mr.. Benjamin, OF Lou
isiana, delivered speech on the Kansas question.
" He also gave history Of the decline and fall
Of the Whig party, attributng their failure to elect
Gen. Scott to the fact that Mr.. Seward was in IA
vor of his election. He thought the Whig party
could never be resuscitated, for the want Of
mon ground of union between the Northern and
Southern wings Of that party. He then sketched
the objects and aims of the Known Nothing and Re-
publican parties, and announced his adherence to
the Democratic party as the only party which was
truly national and under whose domination the
interests of the country would be secure"
Mr.. Cass compimented Mr.. Benjamin on his
speech, and welcomed him to the Democratic
ranks.
Mr. Seward briefly replied to portion of Mr..
Benjamin's speech, and read for that purpose from
an opinion Of Judge Story, delivered in the circuit
court in 1922. This opinion he relied on as an
opinion of the Supreme Court Of the United States.
Mr.. Benjamin followed, and showed that it was not
an opinion Of the Supreme Court, and not an
opinion delivered in the Supreme Court, and that
it was delivered three years before Chief Justice
Marshall gave the opinion Of the court which he
had read. He showed further that Mr.. Seward
had not read from law book, but from volume
of the Life of Judge Story by his son, and that
the bographer stated that the opinion was not the
law, but he hoped it would some day become the
law, Of the Supreme Court. Such an exposure,
says the Union, was never before made, and it may
well be supposed that the effect was so crushing
that Mr. Seward made no attempt to escape.
Mr.. Hale then entered the ring, aluding to what
he said we're grossly personal attacks upon him In
Mr. Clay's recent speech, remarked that he had
but word to submit in reply: That it will take
| something besides malgnity to redeem imbecility
from contempt.
Mr.. Clay sprung to his feet greatly excited, say
ing: defy the Senator's malice as much as / con-
tenn his baseness. No man shall assal my rights
or those of my constituents, and shirk his respon-
sibility by skulking behind plea of non-combat-
ancy. If he had been animated by those heroic
feelings which he processes, he would not come
upon this floor and, under the protection of its
rules, seek immunity for his insolence. know he
is pleased by this attention. There are those Of
his class who, like the London attorney, Mark Med
die, in the play, are ambitious of a kick. [Sen-
sation.
He concluded by remark ing that he had nothing
more to say to that Senator, having twice declined
his acquaintance, and he asked pardon of the Sem
ate for consuming 80 much time about Senator
who soils the carpet upon which he treads.
Mr.. Hale replied that he had never sought an
introduction to him but once and that was on pro-
fess0nal business, for the benefit of citizen OF
Alabama.
Mr.. Clay rejoined. He did not think his reputa-
tion for veracity would suffer by conflict with one
who had repeatedly eaten his own words.
Mr.. Hale replied that if he did eat his own words
he would have more palatable meal than the SEN
ator from Alabama if he should undertake to eat
his. Laughter.