Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-13
rn1Rp STATES sEsArE-Extra Session.

State of Texas has seeded from the Union, and
longer one of the United States, therefore be it
Resolved That she is not entitled to be represented IN
this body.
Mr. Foster said he had very few words to utter both
as 10 the resolution and its substitute, and therefore
would not enter into any lengthy discussion II was
proper he should state that he offered the resolution on
his own responsibility and without consulting with his
political friends He had presented il stripped Of all
party considerations far as It was possible to do So
that it might be acted on upon its naked merits.
seat in this chamber held on foundation high
er than party grounds, and hence, he trusted, the
Senate would rise above all such considerations -
The constitution provides for the qualification and the
manner Of the election of Senators, and he read
from that instrument the words upon this sub
ject 1t not the ground that the Senator from
Texas was foreign born that he was liable to objections
1t was to be supposed that he native born and
that he was duly elected member Of this body And
in saying that he foreigner it was not to be sup
posed that he was born of the jurisdiction OF this
country.
It. however seemed to him (Mr. FOSTER that the Sen
ate owed it to itself not to allow seat here to one who
owned that he was foreigner and owned no allegi-
ance TO the country 10 which he belonged but TO a
foreign government; and if that government happened
to take up against this government sezes its pro-
perty and expes from its territory the troops Of the
United States by force, it becomes very serious ques
ton Was il consistent to allow one so crcumstanced
longer to hold seat here?
He repeated that he had personal feeling on the
subject He could say with great proprety, so far as
his personal relations with the Senator from Texas
concerned, that they entirely kind and friendly.
The substitute of the Senator from North Carolina as
sumes that Texas has the right to secede; and it was
logical conclusion that in such she had right
to seats here In this he differed from the Senator.
He did not believe that any State had the right or
power under the Constitution TO secede take itself
of the Union of the States which go to make up
those of America He differed widely aad radically from
such theories 1t altogether mOnsrous that this
government-one of power and authority-could thus
be dissolved. Argument therefore, was unnecessary
with those who held TO different opinion. Two men
might as well undertake TO in foreign language
which one understood and the other did not. That no
such thing secession was known to the Constitution
was too plain TO argue or admit of doubt.
After brief argument this point, he said whether
Texas has seceded he not intormed-he meant by
vote of the people body representing them. He
should hold the Senator entitled his seat for all that
on sound constitutional ground. Could that State by
Withdrawing from the Union withdraw from this body
No He he is entitled his according to the forms
of the constitution and the authority of his State And
the State has power legally or constutionaly to with
draw him from this body during the term for which be
was elected.
He did not think che substitute met the question. He
did know what right the Senator Mr. Clingman) had
to say that Texas has seeded from the confederacy OF
the States and longer belongs to the United States
But even If there official notice, il would be null
ty If a State has Withdrawn, and given the Senate
even official notice. whatrght had they to say she should
be longer entitled to representatives? They were
clothed with no such authority.
Mr. Clingman said he thought the Senator from Connec
tcut had made good argument against his own resolu-
ton If they were 10 credit the newspapers, Texas has
called convention. passed ordinance of secession,
which is stated, has been ratified by large vote OF
the people. That ia the opinion Of the Senator from
Texas II that be and the act valid Texas is no
longer one of these States He took it for granted that
basc sha antiflad m
ton here.
The Senator from Connecticut says the act is invalid
Then the Senator from Texas is entitled to his
less il be said that erroneous opinion disqualified him.
In the opinion of the Senator from Texas his State has
seeded The Senator from Connecticut Gays no. Was
il ever maintained because Senator differed from
another constitutional question that that was rea.
son for expeling?
It might be supposed that the Senate could expel
man who thought and argued that the moon was made
Of green cheese laughter and that such one should
be diven out. But would any gentlemen say he ought
to be driven out2
Fifteen Senators have gone out, believing their
STATES have right 10 seced9 The mother OF States
aud Vrginia-has always maintained that
opinon II il il an for the Senator from Texas 10
b leve that his State has a right to secede why
pei the Virginia Senator'S and especially why not e1pe
those gentlemen who declared it and have gone away
Why Is it that their names ere still called?
They have gone away showing utter disregard for
Opinions Buy the senator says tnat NdS mas
taken possession Of of the public property Is that
good reason? If So it applies with more force 70 other
States than Texas Why did the Senator from Connect
cut allow the OF Hon. J,isrson Davis 10 be called
and not move TO eNpe him? Not only had that gentle
mans State seeded but he had advised and forts
to be seized and the head of federal republic
Blu motion is made TO eIpeI him.
The Senator said he deemed il his duty to make the
motion to expe Mr. Wigfa. Senator after Senator had
made similar svowa!s, aud even advised their consuu-
EMS to tale possession Of the dcons We works OF the l.
States Senator TGombs declared that he gave such ad
vice Why then single out the Senator from Texas.
His friend Mr. WgGl had said that his state has Sc
ceded and ws great ankness added that therefore he
regarded himself foreigner. But this did not afford
sufficient ground for his expulsion. He had pursued the
policy OF other retiring Senators by remaining here, and
was awaiting official Information.
Mr. Cark-He says he is a foreigner.
Mr.. Clngman resumng-Hs friend said if they
thought proper to admit and regard him as Senator he
did not think proper to withdraw until he officially
notified that Texas has seeded. The proposed
BY the Senator from Connecticut not the proper
All they could do was say that the Senator from Tex
as is mistaken on q constitutional and legal point II
Texas has not seeded he is entitled his seat here not
withstanding the opinion he expresses.
Mr. Mason remarked that the resolution clearly for
tie expulsion of the Senator from Teyas for what had
said on this floor. The constitution enables the Senate
to protect ITSELF and gives power to expeia member, pro-
yded two-hirds for the resolution But the expu-
sion of Senator is punitive in character, and the nten
ton OF tie Senator frSm Cannectcnt s to punish the
Senator from Teas for what nc Gail "a debate The Sen
aor from Connecticut said what the Senator from Texas
has avowed Inconsistent with the holding OF seat
on this floor.
The Senator had declared that he is foreigner, and
not citizen of the United States, but owed allegiance
to foreign government If the Senator from Connec-
tcut thought the Senator oght not to occupy seat be-
cause he is not citizen, he ought to move 10 retr the
subject TO committee go that if the facts the
| seat will be declared vacant.
Mr. Fl Iter nterposug asked whether after the Sena-
tor from Texas had been duly elected by his State and
admitted q member here they could inquire into the
legality by which he holds his seat-a new fact rising
| which did not exist at that timey
Mr. Mason said be was very certain If Senator was
not entitled to a seat it could be vacated whenever the
facts which warrant SUCH course should be disclosed
If il be punishable Cifense to alego constitutional
truth then the resolution may be well founded. For
| one he (Nr Mason recognized no allegiance to this
J government He recognized and acknowledged no al
legiauce ~ this g0vernment-none wbatever-and here
he took his position ai6ngside OF tue Senapor from Tex
as Although Virginia 10 constituent OF this govern
ment aud he Of her representatives. he owed alegi-
! ance to Virginia and no else.
bid the senator fToT Connecticut resist the doctrine
of constitutional law aud hold that the government of
the United States is still sovereign? If he did, God help
him Laughter So far the Senator from Texas has
committed offence by saving he owed no allegiance
this goyernmel, he so0d ~ his side. lie should We
untruthiul to Virginia if he did not
The old feuial idea Of allegiance vas the relation be
tween a subject and a sovereign. between the vassal
and his lord Allegiance here is that which is due from
a citizen to a sovereign power. He knew of sover-
egn except hGt &C State He took it for granted that
Connecticut is the Senator's Sovereign ami that II he
yields allegiance to this government he is faithess.
Tbs oath gf allegiance in Virginia to be taken by
all who are admitted to the political powers Of te State
Z, nd trp1y to