Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-05-04
THE EXPUNGING PROCESS.

uen D ackS0n, a resolution condemning the re-
moval OF the deposits, &c, as high-handed ex-
ecutve acts, "in derogation of the Constitution
of the United States" Mr.. Benton offered a
resolution for expunginS this condemnation.
The struggle continued fer years. 1t reached
its close in 1881.
fierce and most exciting debate Jan. II
1857, in which the whole strength of Calhoun,
Webster and Clay was brought to bear against
the expunging process, had carried the day :
sitting far into night, and what followed is thus
described by Col Benton in his Thirty Years
View, PIP. 80, 73l:
Midnight was now approaching. The dense
masses which filled every room in the lobbies
and galleries remained immOyable No one
went Out-nO one could get in The floor of
the Senate was crammed with privileged per-
sons, and it seemed that all Congress w8s there
Expectation and determination to see the con-
ciusion was depicted upon every countenance.
1t was evident there was to be no adjournment
until the vote should be taken-until the deed
was done; and this aspect Of inyincibe deterrni-
nation had It's effect upon the ranks of the op-
position. They began to falter under a persist
ence, for they alone now did the speaking; and
while Mr.. webster was yet reciting his protest
two Senators from the opposite side VINO had
been best able to maintain their equanimity
came round to the author of this View and said
This question has degenersted into a trial of
nerves and muscles. 1t has become a question
OF physical endurance; and we see no use in
wearing ourselves out to keep off for few
hours longer what has to come before we sepa-
rate We see that you are able and determined
To carry your measure; so call the vote as soon
as you pleaso-we shall say no more"
Mr.. Webster concluded No one rose There
was pause-a dead silcnce-and an intens.
feeling. Presently the silence was invaded by
the single word Question rarIiamenta-
~ call for vOte-rising from the seats of diff
ferent Senators. One blank In the resolvo re-
mained to be flled-the date of its adoption
1t was done. The Acting President Of the
Senate, Mr.. King, of Alabams, then directed
the roll to be called. The yeas and NAYS had
been previously ordered and proceeded to be
called by the Secretary of the Senate, Mr..
Asbury Dickins. Forty three Senators were
present answering, five absent The yea,
were
YEAs-Messrs: Benton, Brown, Buchanan,
Dana, Ewing of Illinois, Fulton, Grundy, Hub
bard, hing of Alabama, Linn, Morris, Nicho-
las, Niles, Page, Rives, Robinson, Ruggles,
SeVier, Stranse, Tallmadge, Upton, Walker,
Wall, Wright.
NArs-Messrs. Bayard, Black, Calhoun.
Clay, Crittenden, Davis, Ewing of Ohio. Hend-
ricks, Kent, Knight, Moore, Prentiss, Preston.
Robbins, Southland, Swift, Tomlinson, Webster,
Whito.
The passage OF the resolution was announced
from the chair. Mr.. Benton rose and said that
nothing now remained but to execute the or
der OF the Senate, which he moved be done
forthwith. 1t was ordered accordingly. The
secretary thereup0n produced the original
manuscript journal of the Senate and opened
at the page which contained the condempatory
sentence OF March 26, 1884, proceeded IN open
senate to draw square of broad black lines
around the sentence, and to write across its
face IN strong letters these words - Expunged.
by order Of the Senate this 18th day OF March,
1S37."
4 II ant fha A.
circular gallery, looking down upon the Senate.
though sullen and menacing in their looks
made no manifestation of feeling: and II was
doubtless not the intention of Mr. Webster to
excite that manifestation when he referred to
their numbers, and expressed his ignorance of
the feeling with which they would see the decd
done which he so deprecated Doubtless No
one intended to excite that crowd mainly com.
posed as usual, since the bank question began
0f friends of that institution but its aDpear-
anee became such that Senator Linn, tho col
league OF Senator Benton, Mr. Geo W. Jones
since Senator from Iowa, and others, sent out
and brought in arms; other friends patbered
about him, among them Mrs Benton. who. re-
membering what had happened to G eneral Jack
son, ana knowing that. after him her husband
was most obnoxious to the hank party had her
anxiety sufficiently elected to wish to be near
HIM, IN this concluding scene of seven wears
contest, with that great noneyed power Ihinrs
secretary % he
Senate began TO perform the expunyiny process
on the manuscript journal. Instantly. a storm
OF Kisses, grOans and vOciferalons arose from
the left wing of the circular gallery, over the
head Of Senator Benton. The presiding officer
promptly gave the order which the rules pre-
scribe In such cases. to clear the gallery Mr.
Benton opposed the order. saying:
hope the galleries will not be cleared. as
many innocent persons will be excluded who
have been guilty OF no violation OF order Let
the ruthans vino have made the disturbance
alone be punished; let them be apprehe nded
i hope the sergeant-at-arms will be directed to
enter the gallery and seize the rufiians. as
certalnIng who they are in the best way he
can. Let him apprehend them and bring
them to the bar Of tine Senate Let him seize
the bank rufian.. | hope that thew will
not now be suffered to insult the Senate. As
they did when it was under the power of the
Bank OF the United States. when rufians. with
arms upon them, insulted with impunity
Let them be taken and brought to the bar Of
the Senate. Here il one lust above me that
may easily be identified the bank rufians
Mr.. Benton knew that he was the object OF
thIs outrage, and that the way to treat these
subaltern wTetches was to defy and seize them.
and have them dragged criminals to the ba r
of the Senate. They were congregated iInme-
diately over his head, and had evidently col
lected into that plsce. Ills motion was agreed
TO. The order to clear the galleries was re-
voked, the order to seize the disturbers was
given, and Immediately executed by the ener-
getic sergeant-at-arms, Mr.. John Shackford
and his assistants. The ring g-leader was seized
and brought TO the bar. This sudden example
intimida ted the rest, and the expunging pro-
cess was performed in quiet Tho whole scene
was impressive; but ne part Of it so much so As
10 see the great leaders who for seven long
years had warred upon General Jackson and n
thousand times pronounced him ruined each
rising in his place, with painful reluctance, to
confess themselves vanquished-to admit his
power, and their weakness-and 10 exhale
their griefs in unavailing reproaches and i'm
potent deprecatOns. Ii was tribute to his
invincibility which cast into the shade all the
eulogium OF his friends. The qualification OF
General jackson was extreme. lie gave a
grand dinner to the expungers (as they were
called and their wives, and being too weak IA
st at the table, he only met the company
placed the head expanger in his chair, and
Withdrew to his sick chamber. That expurga
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