Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-03-20
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON. Feh. o. 1858.

WASHINGTON EeD. 20, 1000.
TENNESSEE POLITICS n ooSGREss-RAoE DISCUSSION
BETWEEN SENATORS BELL AND JOHNSON.
On presenting the resolutions Of the Legislature
Of Tennessee, insructng the Senators and request
ing the Representatives in Congress from that State
to vote for the admission Of Kansas into the Union
under the LecOmptOn Constitution, Mr.. Bell let
of cut and dried speech in which he undertook to
satisfy the Senate and the country that his vote
against the repeal Of the Missouri restriction had
but little if anything, to do with the elections of
1851; and that his course on that question had
never been condemned By his constituents. While
he spoke in respectful terms Of his Legislature, be
utterly repudiated rghtsto instruct him On this
point he went the whole length Of the old Federal
doctrine. According to his notions John Bell should
have been left perfectly free to guide his bark into
any port he might desire, whether Northern or
Southern. He complained Of this, and complained
Of that, and he complained generally Of the Tennes-
see Democracy. When he had concluded, 1t would
have taken forty Of the very ablest Philadelphia law
yers to have come within cannon shot Of his ''hsTs
GBouts on the Lecompton issue. Mr. Bell possesses
in an eminent degree, the rare faculty OF putting
forth larger stream Of darkness on any gwen SUD-
jeot than any living public man.
When Senator johnson arose to reply, all eyes
were rivetsd upon him. and for more than two hours
he fully sustained the high reputation that he en-
lows. not only in his own State but throughout the
country. I have oonversed with number Of gentle
men who heard him for the first time, and they all
concur in the opinion that he is statesman Of great
ability and Of most indomitable courage. He made
it as clear as MONDAY sun that Tennessee in va
rious FORMS and in three successive elections had
spoken in laundering tones against Mr. Bells vote
on the Kansas Nebraska bill of 1854. But l shall
not particuarize It is enough to say thatthe Dem
Ocrats were delighted with his mastery efforts, and
he resumed his seat amidst the congratulations Of
his friends.
Mr.. Bell again took the floor It was evident to
all that he was labOring under high state Of men
tai excitement No wonder, His political schooner
had Just been lifted clear out of the fog, and its
contents exposed to the gaze Of the American peO-
pie He was asked to give way for a motion to ad-
jOurn. Refused. Nothing would do but he must
60 on while the steam was up. Finally, however,
upon being assured that he should have the floor
the next day, he reluctantly yielded. The number
Of ghosts and hobgoblins that he saw that night in
his dreams, is not yet made known to the public.
The next day the storm that was raging in
his bosom on the previous evening, seemed to have
abated little, and he began his reOinderin calmer
tone He attempted the hopeless task Of proving
that John Bell had been very consistent politician
Occasionally he exhibited good deal of bitterness
but generally his remarks we're those of complain
ing, prosecuted patriot.
Never will you be able to appreciate the reply Of
Gov. johnson to this second speech Ofhis colleague
To set proper estimate upon it, you should have
heard its delivery The quintessence Of orstOry-
acton-is all lost in the report can say in truth
that it has never been my lot to hear such crush
ing, grinding, pulverizing philippe from any
man. Although Mr.. Bell has been great political
sinner in his day and generation, and fear is now,
must confess that his whitening and cOntOrtiOns
under the unmerciful infection he received, excited
my deepest pity. I would not, if l could,
add q single word that might render more excruca-
ting the pangs of his already lacerated feelings.
My purpose is and has been to paint the it
occurred; in other words, to give your readers a
lively impression of the effect produced on the minds
Of the auditors by the discussion described without
undertaking to give even synopsis Of the two
speeches. There is pretty full report Of them in
the Globe, but presume they will be written out
by the authors and published in phamphlet form.
Then Tennesseeans can read and judge for them
selves. Mr.. Bells vote on the LecOmptOn Csnstitu-
ton is ina state Of du5iosity HALIFAX.