New-York daily tribune., 1858-04-09

The great debate on the Lecompton Constitution,
which has just closed in Congress, is one Of the
| most marked and Abe in our history. The fate Of
an Administration, and Of great party, and the
peace of the country, have been involved in its re-
suits. Millions have eagerly watched its phases and
the appearance of single new champion in the
conflict has been flashed over the wires and every
where received with excited interest. The debate
hos zen followed in the lower House by the fullest
vote ever cast in that body.
The talent and feeling of both Houses have
been brought out to an extraordinary degree, but
it is in the Senate that We have seen the fullest ex-
hibitiOn of power. We have published several OF
the speeches. and on these our readers have already
passed Judgment. The effort of Mr.. Seward WAS
marked by great elaboration, displaying vein of
bold moderation and lofty prescience of coming
events that have elected an unusual degree Of aten-
tion from all sides. The frank audscity, the sec.
tiona spirit and high Senatorial bearing of Governor
Hammond or South Caroline, have hardly been less
noticed. The sound augmentation and felicitous
diction of the Nestor of the Senate, Mr. Critten-
den, were never more distinctly displayed or more
heartily appreciated. Animatipg these was that
spirit Of lofty patriotism and glow OF generous SEN
t,ment for which the Senator from Kentucky is
widely and sincerely honOred. Mr. Douglas never
e1erted himself so powerfully, ard never exhibited
more Of that vigorous grasp and close treatment
of his subject which characterize all bis ef-
forts, nor ever displayed more resources both
in assault and defense, than on the various
occasions in which the discussion brought him
10 bis feet. The Senators froLI Maine have added
much to the power and the interest of the debate;
the strong legal arguments of Mr. Fessenden, and
the warm aud hearty sincerity Mr.. Hamlln, beng
both conspicuous spd effective. Mr.. Fesssnden on
more than one trying occasion was especially
admirable. In his contest with Jeff. Davis, and
in the disnifei and determined manner IN which he
led the Opposition during the memorable night SEES
sion, he displayed the courage Of fearless man,
and the bearing of model Senator. Mr.. Benja-
hin Of Louisiana Illustrated his acknowledged legal
ability in speech of great Ingenuity and research
delivered in periods of harmonious language, with
manner beth gentle and fervd, and in avo'ce svery
IA woman',. The Senators from Virginia never
showed to more advantage. The argument OF MIR.
Mason wss original and strikugly able and compact.
Mr.. Hunter flowed forth in of his best efforts,
marked BY great moderation of tone, all the ST ensth
of argument bis case admitted, end great besuty
of rhetoric. NewHampshire was represe,ted in
q manner of which that State may be proud.
Mr.. Hale made very early in the debate one of his
mos. effective speeches. The light artillery Of his
wit did all lie usual service while the solid columns
of his logic were siDgularly successful in de-
molishing the opposing forces against which he
launched them. Mr.. Hale may be truly said to
have torn down the argument of the majority of
the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott case, brick
by brick, aud to have scattered the ruins. His
colleseue distinguished himself in maiden
speech of great length and unusual variety, over
turning the positions of Mr.. benjamin as to the
common law respecting Slavery, as thoroughly
10 Mr.. Hlle did the dicts of the COurI.
Vermont too threw great weight Of metal into
this contest. Mr.. Foot was cleir energetic, ard
emphatic. Mr.. Collamer backei bis mastery re-
port BY speech equally mastery, il which the
qualities of both Judge and advocate were exhibited
in cCmoin ,ton rs striking =, Il is unu'ua. In
cl .sness in cogeucy in logical drectness and force,
Mr. Collap ers efforts are not excelled. Aasss,hu-
.etts WAS Represented by man Of the people,
sprupg al. ecily from her soil. He amply justified
her choice n his thorough knowledge and fsrcible
statement of the views she sent him TO expound
spd defend Little Rhode Island cOah not have
found better man to represent her conservative
Free Soil sentiment than Mr.. Simmons. Though
not belonging especially to the distinctive school
that founded the Republican parry, Mr.. Simn0ns
!. one of its sincere members His speech thoughless
elaborate than one he lately made upon the financial
state of the country marked by all that ndiyid
uslity Of thought and expression and all that keea
mother wit. breadth of view, and unequivOcal force
Of mind that characterize ell he utteTs North
Carolina has peither Badger nor Msngum 90 the
foor of the Senats and her voice was unhesrd but
in faint echo Of others thunder. Connecticut had
tao youI bat earnest advocates. Delaware spoke
} iy the moa,k of Issyer who never yst failed to