The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-03-26
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.

There has been some spicy debates in the u. S.
Senate recently on the construction of Lincoln's
Inaugural-one between Douglas and Fessenden
was little exciting.
Mr. Douglas complained that Senators had answer
ed his argument only by personalities. He con-
nued, at length, and in the course of his remarks
alluded to the Senators on the Republican side of
the chamber.
Mr. Fessenden said that the Senator was mista-
ken if he alluded to him.
Mr.. Douglas, did not mention the Senator
from Maine.
Mr.. Fesseden You said "the. Senator from
Maine"
Mr. Douglas. I said "from wherever they
came" (Laughter.)
Mr.. Fessenden Then / did not understand
the Senator.
Mr. Douglas. I know-but you cannot under
stand the truth when it is told.
Mr.. Fessenden said that several gentlemen
around him heard Mr.. Douglas say ''the Senator
from Maine"
Mr. Douglas was surprised that the Senator from
Maine seemed to think every attack was meant for
him, as if he was the only man in the chamber
He was Senator of respectable ability, and he
sometimes listened to him with pleasure, but there
were other Senators besides him. He commented
upon the attempts which had been made to gag
him.
MIR Fessenden said there had been no attempt
made to gag the Senator. Everybody understood
the Senator to have used the words Senator from
Maine"
Mr. Douglas wished to know if it was not the
most ordinary courtesy when gentleman misun-
derstood another, to accept his correction
Mr. Fessenden.-If the Senator says he did not
mean it.
MIR Douglas (excitedly)-I say it is false
Vice President-"order," "order.') The Sena-
tor knows it to be false. (Vice President-The
Senator is out of order)
Mr. Fessenden said that if the Senator from H.
linos wished to make personal difficulty with
him. he would not succeed He had spoken of
him very respectable. He would grant that
Mr. DIS talents were more than respectable-nay,
he would admit that Mr. d. was as great a
he (Mr D. believed himself to be, but he could
not admit him to be gentleman, because he did
not act like one. (Applause) AS to an attempt
to gag, every Senator knew that Divine power had
given to Mr. d. the greatest capacity to talk of any
man in the world, and he doubted ifanything. less
than Divine power could keep him from speaking.
Mr. Douglas said that as the Senator had intima-
ted his purpose to settle the difficulty outside of the
Senate he should not further alIude to it.
Mr. Fessenden declared he had said no such
thing; he desired to know if MIR Douglas recosni-
zed the code.
Mr. Douglas-I assure the Senator he will be
responded to when he makes the inquiry in proper
form.
Mr. Fessenden said that Mr. Douglas need not
apprehend hostile message from him. He de-
fined his position on the subject Of the CODE
Mr. Douglas responded, reviewing all the pro-
ceedines which had led to the difficulty, and con-
tended that it begun by Mr. Fessendcn doubling
his (Mr D.'s) word.
MIR Hale said he had something to say in re-
spouse to Mr. Douglas onslaught on the Republi-
cans He read, amid roars of laughter, the 4th
verse of " Psalm.
MIR Douglas said that it might be funny, but it
was not statesmanke to answer argument by per-
sonal attacks, had been done by the Senators
from Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire