Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-23
BENTON IN DEBATE.
A Ferocious Statesm an Who went Rough
ShOds

ShOds
MIR. Benton, when he became excited in
debate, says Ben: Perley Poore. was like
an enraged elephant. He would trample
on his best friends, and steadily refused
all attempts at Cancellation. One of his
most ferOciOus attacks was in reply to an
elegant and concise argument which Mr..
Calhoun had made on his patronage bill,
the germ of civil service reform. The gift
ed South Carolinian did not speak over
fifteen minutes, but Benton occupied over
two hours in his verbose reply, and to-
wards the close of mis- remarks he lost his
temper. Mr.. Calhoun sat with his burn
ing eyes fixed upon MIN, and his whole
lace eloquent with scOrn. Benton grew
more indignant when he saw he was more
despised, and as the assembly glared on
him from every side. shaking his tremb
ling fingers in the very face of Mr.. Cal
hOun, he accused him OF the basest parti-
san feelings and intentions, the very
things which he mad before abjured in "A
voice of thunder, and to crown the vile
TRADE, charged BIN with ''direct attack
on TRUTH This was too much. Mr.. POin-
dexter called him promptly to order.
Take down the words" cried Benton. 81
am ready to sign them" Mr.. Calhoun
rose. He hoped, earnestly hoped, the Sen
ator would be allowed TO proceed; moth
ing he could say would possibly deserve
bis notice. The Objectionable words, how
ever, had been taken down, and 1t was
the duty of Vice President Van Buren, to
decide whether they were in order. Be-
tween Benton and Calhoun he found no
difficulty in deciding, and after a few
words of explanation, uttered with more
than usual warmth, ne threw himself as
il were, before Benton, and decided that
the Senator was in order. But others
thought not so. Mr.. Webster rose and
was proceeding with few introductory
remarks, when the Chair called upon him
t. resume his seat. But Mr.. Webster
kept the floor. 1t was a firm and noble
maintenance OF his privilege. He was
yet to learn how he was TO be set down
under such circumstances. when he was
uttering few thoughts previous TO mo-
ton The Chair, with plausible admis-
sion movement Ofthe mead. was not aware
that such was the senator intentions.
Mr.. Webster was deslrous TO know what
right the Chair had to prejudice his inten-
ton. lie was not to be deprived of mis-
rights on that floor, and he proceeded.
His short auG direct argument was con-
elusive and ne closed with an appeal
from the decision Of the C1air. The ap-
peal was we'll manuiIy supported by FIRE.
linghuvspn, GDldsb0rOugh and Leigh. IL
was an all absorbing. vial question.
Was that Senate to be the arena of mere
gladiat0rs. without rlhe and without hon
orr Was 1t TO be dreaded. was IL TO be
borne, that under any circumstances one
Senator in his place should rise and
charge another with making "dIrect at
tack upon the truthY This was the
question; these We're the words; they
were 20 be admitted or rejected. Mr.. Pres
ton thought they were supported by Cor
tain Parliamentary admission in other
countries. though be was grieYed at TINS
iuucture. and seemed TO argue that as
these were words OF excitement, and not
strictly personal. they might be passed
by, aud be hoped Mr.. PondeNter would
consider the case. and do all he could to
close the breach which threatened 10 wi
den between the Senator's. But Mr.. POin-
dexter strenuOusly and rightly kept TO his
determination. Mr.. Cutbbertin an ebul-
liton Of frOth and exceeding nonsense,
would prove that Benton WAS IN order.
His exposure of his principles ana OF him
self az a declaimer were equally disgust
ing. The first was worthy OF bully in
debate, and the second was worthy only
OF a mock Roscius at "A low theatre. Dr.
Linn supported Benton as well as he could
though 10 WAS evidently hard 20 do 1t;
but the weakest OF his words we're those
which went 10 show him the mere adVo-
cate OF pistol satisfaction. He did not
agree that such words were gentlemanly
or orderly words, but he would have the
decision Of 10 lett t0the parties. This was
evidently weak and mistaken reasoning.
Mr. King, too, Of Alabama, showed that
II he had been iusuted, or should bs in
suited, be was ready to be killed for IT.
Meanwhile diuner-time was at hand, and
there were cries OF question! question:
Mr.. po.ndoXter called for tho yeas aud
nave. Then, with plausibility Of his
own. the Vice President again stated the
position OF the Chair, whicl he had no
right 10 do then, and put the question.
His decision was reversed by vote OF "a
against II, and Mr.. Benton had then leave
10 proceed. He felt humillated by the In
direct censure OF his friend IN the CHAIR
for having sustained him, aud he raYed
and foamed until his friends tried 10 make
him resume his seat. But mol he could
defend his own honorl be was not TO be
backed By any one, and 40 be lnsulted
Webster and GodsbOrough as well as he
could. for finale, found they laughed at
him in scorn, and yielding 10 his friend
Cuthbert, who poured out the last mag
nihcent syllabub Of the OCCASION sat
down. and in few moments went home,
with the rest Of the adjourned Senate, 70
4. Il aa.asIrH TiuWnr