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The Senate Reacts To Franklin Pierce's Veto

Creator:		n/a
Date:		May 4, 1854
Publication:		The Congressional Globe
Source:		Library of Congress

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112		Well, sir, if this be so important a measure as the Senator from Illinois supposes, why should we discuss it indirectly? He recommends us to take up the homestead bill first, and he thinks that by discussing that bill, we shall obtain a knowledge of the subject now before us; or, in other words, that we should discuss the merits of this subject indirectly through the merits of another. Why, sir, the merits of this measure involve the merits of the homestead bill. It comes necessarily before us; and if we determine, by a large majority, against the principles involved here, it will influence many, as a matter of course, to go against the homestead bill. If you were to put both in a fair position, and ask which was entitled to priority, from the argument of the Senator from Illinois, I would say, as a matter of course, that we should take up and dispose of this subject first.

113		Mr. President, it is apparent to me from a little inquiry and comparison around the Chamber, that this veto is perfectly safe. Two thirds of this body will not vote against it. I hardly think any discerning member of the Senate can come to any other conclusion. Then why not take it up now? Why postpone it? As to the matter of disrespect to the Executive, I think it will be no disrespect to him whether we postpone it or not. Many of the friends of the Administration, I see, are for the postponement, and it would be exceedingly unkind to suppose, for an instant, that they mean the slightest shadow of disrespect to the President. But, sir, a respect for the important measure itself, the necessity which the Senator from Illinois has pointed out, for the establishment of a great policy for the whole country, should induce us to discuss and consider the subject now.

114		Mr. SEWARD. Mr. President, I shall not make an apology for not discussing this question upon the motion to postpone. I have waited all the morning in hopes that there might be a question taken; and I seconded the motion of the honorable Senator from Florida for it postponement to Monday; but, to my great surprise, he has come out in an elaborate speech against the motion itself.

115		Mr. MALLORY. I shall vote for the motion. I was giving my preconceived opinions; but I made the motion to postpone until Monday, and I intend to vote for it.

116		Mr. SEWARD. Then, all I have to say is, that I prefer to have the subject postponed until Monday, in order that we may have a discussion of the merits of the question itself -- a deliberate and considerate one-a discussion which will enlighten us. It is very apparent that this sporadic, irregular discussion, bringing in everything foreign to the subject-matter, is not calculated to fit us for a deliberate review of the question before us; and, as there are but two legislative days between this and Monday, I hope it maybe agreed on all hands that we drop this question for to-day, take up what other business we have before us -- and there is enough of it -- and come here prepared, on next Monday, to give this subject a considerate, deliberate, regular, ordinary, and orderly disposition; so that, while we are discussing it, we may avow that we are doing so, and that the responsibility may rest on each member to do it with such deliberation, candor, and ability as he can bring to bear upon it.

117		Mr. GWIN. I withdrew my motion to postpone, for the purpose of bringing up the discussion now. I believe we can discuss and dispose of the question now as well as hereafter. It is well known to the Senate that I wish to get another bill, which I deem of great interest, before the body for action. My object is to get this subject disposed of until that can be acted upon. Therefore, as a test question, to see whether we are to have any more talking on this subject now or not, I move to lay on the table the motion of the Senator from Florida, to postpone the consideration of this bill until next Monday.

118		Mr. BADGER. That motion carries the bill with it.

119		Mr. GWIN. No, sir; I think not. That is a separate question. My motion is, that the motion of the Senator from Florida lie on the table.

120		Mr. HUNTER. I rise to a point of order. Does not that carry the bill with it?

121		The PRESIDENT. Certainly it does.

122		Mr. GWIN. Then I withdraw my motion.

123		Mr. SHIELDS. I hope we shall go on with the debate now.

124		The PRESIDENT. The question is on the motion of the Senator from Florida, to postpone the further consideration of this subject until Monday next.

125		Mr. GWIN. Is it in order to move to strike out "next Monday," and insert "Monday week?"

126		The PRESIDENT. It is not in order.

127		Mr. GWIN. I call for the yeas and nays upon the motion of the Senator from Florida. The yeas and nays were ordered; and being taken, resulted-yeas 29, nays 20; as follows:

128		YEAS -- Messrs. Atchison, Badger, Bayard, Bell, Benjamin, Bright, Brown, Butler, Clay, Dixon, Dodge of Wisconsin, Dodge of Iowa, Douglas, Evans, Fitzpatrick, Foot, Hunter, Johnson, Jones of Iowa, Mallory, Morton, Norris, Pettit, Seward, Slidell, Toombs, Toucey, Wade, and Williams -- 29.