New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-06-15
THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

55@l5Ys{e ~ --------->s >r-----------------
THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
NUMBER VIII.
Adjoining the seat of Gov Crittenden is that Of the
Hon. LYMAN Trumbull of Illinois. Judge Trumbull
took his seat in the Senate on the LIST OF December,
lS55-under protest from the Democratic members OF
the Legislature which elected him. The Constitution
of Illinois contained provision that no one should
be elected to Federal Office while holding an Office
under the State Government, or for twelve months
thereafter. Judge Trunlbul had been elected to the
Senate during the term for which he had been elected
Judge-but he had resigned his Judgeshlp just
eighteen months before he chosen to the Senate
His opponents commended that as his term as Judge
had not expired {even though he had resigned the
udgeship) he was under the Constitution Of Illinois,
ineligible to the Senate. -
When the question came up for decision in the SEN
ate Judge Trumbull rested his upon the ground
that by the word "term in the Constitution OF lii
nois was understood term Of serriceand not the con-
stitutional term of eight yearswhile his opponents
took the opposite ground. While they were discus
sing this point, Mr.. Crittenden made speech in
which he laid down the bold proposition that State
Constitution has no right whatever to prescribe the
qualifications Of Senator. Those qualifications, he
said were particularly defined in the Federal Constr
tution-t was especially Federal ofice-and no State
had right to add to or subtract from the qualfca
tions prescribed by the Constitution of the United
States II Senator fulfilled the conditions and quail
cations required by that instrument, he was eligible,
and the Senate could not go behind that to examine
into the particular provisions of the constitutions of
the States. This view of the question seemed to
take the Senate by SURPRISE and witha to be reason
able. Others concurred in the opinion, and Judge
Trumbul was confirmed in his seat by large major
ity. It may now be considered ad,dicafa that
the qualifications required by the Constitution Of the
United States are all that are required to the eligible
ity ola Senator.
| Judge Trumbull commenced public life as a Demo-
GRAFT and as of the bodyguard Of Judge Douglas.
On the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, he whip
ped over to the Black Republicans, and became
Candidate for Congress in the District in which he
resides. He was elected by decisive majority, but
before Congress met he elected by the Legisla-
ture to the Senate He therefore to Washington
with two commissions in his pocket-one as Senator
and one as Representative. He qualified in both
Houses, but took his seat in the Senate. He no
doubt intended, if defeated in the Senate to take his
seat in the House. Previous to the decision of his
case by the Senate, his name was regularly called in
each House whenever the ayes and ordered.
In politics he is moderately Black Republican He
opposes the extension of slavery but in most things
else he is radically Democratic. Nor is he, by any
4 means, man Of ordinary ability. Judge Douglas,
! who considers Trumbulls presence in the Senate a
thorn in his side, attacked him day last summer,
when Trumbull not only defended himself with mas
ery ability, but charged home upon the ttle giant
and held him closely contested discussion for two
or three hours 1t during this debate that Trun-
bull sought to bring out Douglas as to whether he
favored opposed squatter sovereignty in the terri
tories The giant evaded reply for long time, but
being pressed, finally got out of it by saying it was
Judicial question: and he you'd not foresta or nfu'
ence the decision of the Supreme Court by pronounc
ing an opinion on it in aduancei There is no doub.
in my own mind that Douglas does recognize this
doctrine but, fearful of its effects upon his popularity
in the South was afraid to avow it.
Judge Trumbul is one of the boldest of the Black
Republican Senator's and does not hesitate to break
lance with the ablest of the opposition. A few days
before the adjournment of the last session, Toucey
Connecticut, (now Secretary of the Navy happened
to say in debate that the Black Republican was al
unconstitutional" party. Trumbull walked int
him and scored him without mercy. Toucey had t.
explain and qualify his remark before Trumbull wou
let him Off
He is yet, comparatively, young MAINLAND n
longer the shadow but the rival of Judge Douglas
will make his mark in the future of politics. Illnoi
is essentially Black Republican State-and unles
Douglas join that party, las believe he willy Trum
bull will be the representative man of the State.
The next seat and the last one on the outside row
now made vacant by the relentless hand of death
was that occupied during the first session of the las
hu Tho Hon Tnb7 CIouton IF nala
Mr. Caytons attendance during the latter part of tn
u session so unfrequent account of bad health
that no surprise was felt when it was announced tina
e he seized with mortal illness.
. Mr.. Clayton was prominent politician for so man
years that the whole country is familiar with his hi
q tory. He entered the Senate many years ago, an
served long in that body, perhaps as any eve
did.
, In 1s49 he went into General Taylor's Cabinet
Secretary Of State. 1t was during his service in tn
position, April 49, 1850, that he negotiated the eel
Grated treaty which is even now such bone of col
ention between Great Britain and the United State
II, called the Cayton-Bulwer treaty. At the death
Gen. Taylor Mr. Clayton retired to private life wi
no intention of entering the public service agar
ID but, soon after the meeting of the next session
= Congress- an animated debate sprang up in the Sc
oe Senators - Cass, Douglas, and others - contend
nc that Sir Henry Buwer had overreached Mr.. Clayt
III and got the advantage of him in the terms of t
" treaty. and that he had signed away the equal rgf
W of the Uuted States in the Central American Isl
10 mus. Mr. Clayton, in his home in Delaware hea
" the din of strife, and, vacancy occurring just
~ that time in the representation of Delaware in t
nc Senate, he elected to fill it, though the Legis
VI ture Democratic. Resuming his seat, he defer
ed the treaty with consummate ability, and before
'' died, he had the satisfaction of knowing that Ca
ny Mason. and all the other compainants, fully
u. with him in the construction of it.
VI In the Senate, Mr.. Clayton rarely participated
" any debate except in connection with this treaty
III some collateral subject. He made orr two speed
ne when the Naval Retiring Board question was brouE
US up, and he made short speech in favor of bill
MS proposed for the pacifcation of Kansas But
III whole thoughts seem to have been taken up with
iu' treaty. He would sit up until late in the morn
reading various writers on international law, and ii
i'h break down the strength be so much needed.
W In person he was remarkably large and hea
His white hair, standing erect on his head, gave
'ne a commanding appearance, and he was always 81
eo pulously courteous to his felowSenators. Once
'eo he had passage-atarms with Bell of Tenness
but they had been old friends and comrades so Il
Al al