Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-07-13

Correspondents should only upon side Of the paper
All Letters on business should Be directed Z. G
EASTMAN Co., and not personally to either Of the POPHe
tors.
Remarks Oe Andrew Johnson, of Tenn,
delivered IN the U. S. senate, June 14s '5Ss
on the Homestead Bile
Mr.. johnson, Of Tennessee. I rise to a privi-
lodged question: to take up the motion to reconsider
The vote postponing the homestead bill until Jsnu-
sry next
AIr Mason. As question Of order, submit to
the Chair that We went out Of executive session
! only to receive the proposition from the Senator
from Illinois, and that nov again in exeou-
tive session. We had better proceed with the busi-
ness in executive session
The President, pro fsmpOre. The Chair so under
stands. The officers will close the doors
Toe doors we're sgsin reopened at thiR = i've min
utes past FIVE o'clock, p m.
Mr. johnson, Of Tennessee. Icall up the motion
to reconsider the pOstPOnement Of the homestead
bill.
Mr. Fitch wish to make few remarks on
question which, l presume, is privileged one.
In executive session my question must be men
toned.
The President, pro tsmpors We are now in open
session.
Mr. Fitch. was not aware Of that.
The President, pro tsEaPors. Is the motion Of the
Senstor from Tennessee 10 proceed to the reconsid
eraiOn of the homestead bill
Mr. johnson, of Tennessee. Mr.. President
Mr. Yulee. If the Senator viii excuse me 1 will
say taat 1 apprehend it would be very important
and desirable TO the Senate to close the doors ugan
upon the subject to which the Senator from Indiana
refers. l believe it is always in order to move to
close the doors.
Mr. King Not when somebody has the fOor
The President, pro tsmPOrs. Not when Senator
has the floor.
Mr.. johnson, Of Tennessee. understand Ihsye
Mr.. Yulee Win not the Senator give way for
that purpose?
Mr. johnson, of Tennessee No, sir.
Mr. Yulee. / must object, then, to taking up his
motion. 1 understand that the motion is to lake
up the homestead bill hope that il viii be voted
! down.
| Mr.. johnson, of Tennessee. The motion is to
reconsider, which is privileged question.
Mr.. Mason. understand-
! Mr. johnson, of Tennessee. How does the gentle
| man get the floor. ......
The President, pro tSEpors. The Senator from
Virginia is not entitled to the floor except By the
I courtesy Of the Senator from Tennessee.
Mr. Mason. rise to question OF order. IN
dersiand that the Senator from Tennessee some
days ago moved to reconsider ths vote upon the
homestead bill, and he ssks the Senate to take
up the bill for the purpose Of recOnsidering
Mr.. johnson, Of Tennessee. l did not move to
| take up the bill It is motion to reconsider the
vote by which the bill was postponed
Mr. Mason. That is the question of order which
present. There was q vote on the homestead bill
which the Senator, on q former day, moved to re-
consider; and the question now is not on the motion
10 reconsider, but, sWil the Senate take up the
Homestead bill for the purpose of reoOnsderiDg:'
Mr. johnson, of Tennessee. The question is to
] recons der. .. y.rr
Mr. Mason. submit to the Presiding Officer
that the oay question which the reoonsderat on
can act is the BILL and therefore, the motion is 10
take up the bill with q view consider the motion
heretofore made to reconsider the vote on the bill
You cannot reconsider it unless it is taken up.
submit that as a question Of order.
Mr. johnson, OF Tennessee. A motion to recon
slider is privileged question. The motion is made,
and have the floor.
Mr. Mason. l stand, sir, upon the question Of
I order still
The President pro tsmpors. VIII the Senator state
! bis question of order?
Mr. Mason. The point Of order is that the ques
ton presented by the Senator from Tennessee is a
motion to lake up the homestead bill, it IS called,
I with view TO It's reconsideration.
Mr. Johnson, of Tennessee. make no such mo
tion
Mr. Mason. say there can be no reoonsidsrs
tion unfIl the bill is before the Senate make hat
question of order, that unless the Senator TO
take up the bill TOR reconsideration, there is mo-
! tion before the Senate
! Mr. johnson, OF Tennessee The bill cannot be
got before the Senate until it is reoOnsi tered The
motion to reconsider, being privileged question,
eln be called up at any time by the mover, or by
any other member of the Senate. The motion has
been made the question is before the Senate, and
| have the floor upon il.
I Mr. johnson, of Arkansas. will call the atten-
tion of the Senator from Tennessee to the fact that
whilst there now but five minutes before the time
when the House meets, there is matter here which
the Senator himself, perhaps would prefer should
be explained, to avoid trouble hereafter The Sen
s'or from Indiana calls attention 10 clerical error
/ that involves the confirmation Of two gentlemen,
which, suppose, when we have adjourned, cannot
/ be corrected at ALL
! Mr. johnson, Of Tennessee. I will conclude my
remarks in sufficient time to 60 into executive ses-
| zion.
! Mr.. johnson, Of Arkansas. Before six O'olOekl
Mr.. johnson, Of Tennessee. Beford six o'clock.
II is only twenty minutes of ak now. l will give
| suthcit Mt time. CT
The President pro tsnpors. The Chair decides,
the question Of order raised by the Senator from
| Virginia. that the motion of the Senator from Ten
nessee is to proceed to the consideration Of motion
! he made, upon which vote was taken, postponing
the homesea bill to Q certain day. Upon that mo-
tiOn the Chair determines that it is in order for the
| Senator to submit his remarks.
! Mr.. johnson, Of Tennessee. I do not intend to
consume the time of the Senate, and should not
say a word now il thought the time would be Oeou-
pied more proftsbly; but deem the homestead bill
one Of great importance 70 the country; and wish
/
reference to the origin and history Of the measure
on the discussion which took place upon its post
ponement few weeks ago. On that occasion, my
friend from Alabama, Mr.. Clay, in assigning some
reasons why the bill should be postponed, made the
! following statement
81 wish to make q remark or tWoin reply TO What
has fallen from the Senator from Tennessee, before
the vote is taken this bill. He argues that public
opinion is in favor Of this measure and therefore II
ought to be passed; but, admitting his premises,
do not agree that his conclusion is necessary. do
think it is the business Of this Senate Of che
House Of Representatives, merely 10 reflect public
opinion, whether right or wrong do not think Il
becomes US, as representatives. Of sovereign States
to run after public opinion; but think we should
rather lead IT, should correct it when It is wrong
and should only follow it when it aceords with ouI
/ Judgment and when it is right.
"NoW, in respect to this homestead policy, which
the Senator says has been approved By public OPin-
ion. dissent from him as to that conclusion.
deny that it is approved by public judgment Why
sir fourteen years ago. an unfortunate son OF genius
who represented one Of the districts in my State
originated the idea in this country Of giving home
to the homeless Felix G.. Mcconnell, Of the Stat
Of Alabama was in the habit, believe, on all coca
sions when he rose to address the Speaker Of th
House Of Representatives, Of suggesting his propo