Extra session of the U. S. Senate.
Washington, March 11.
--The expulsion of Senator Wigfall, of Texas, was taken up.
Mr. Foster advocated the adoption of his motion to that effect — not as a personal matter, but as a duty — the Senator having announced himself a foreigner, not owing allegiance to this Government.
He made a long speech, containing no particular argument, except anti- secession.
Mr. Clingman followed. He thought Mr. Foster had made a bad point.
If the resolution was adopted, it would acknowledge Texas as out of the Union.
Why not expel Jefferson Davis, the head of the Sovereign Republic?
Why should the Senator from Texas be singled out?
If Texas was not out of the Union, he is still entitled to a seat here.
Mr. Mason remarked that the resolution called for the expulsion of Mr. Wigfall, for what he had said on the floor of the Senate.--The Constitution enabled the Senate to protect itself by conferring the power of expulsion, by a two-thirds vote, for disorderly conduct, but not, as in this case, for asserting a constitutional truth.
This is not a punishable offence.
Mr. Mason, himself, owned that he recognized no allegiance to this Government — none, whatever; and here he took his position by the Senator from Texas.
He owed his allegiance to Virginia.
He knew no sovereign but his State.
If the Senator can yield his allegiance to the Federal Government, it vitiates his allegiance to his State.
All, however, owed obedience to the laws and the Constitution.
We are sworn to support the Constitution and not the Government.
Mr. Hunter regarded the resolution of expulsion as intended as a vote of censure for a mere expression of opinion, to punish a Senator who differs from the majority.
If one be expelled, why not all who have withdrawn?
He further argued against the adoption of the resolution.
No action was taken on the subject.
Adjourned. 