Mr. Trumbull, for himself, was ready now, but could not make any pledge for his friends.
Mr. Seward said that after nine hours' discussion on the Cuba bill, it was time to come back to the great question of the age. Two propositions now stand face to face; one is the question of land for the landless, and the other is a question of land for slaves.
Mr. Slidell here rose.
The Vice-President. Will the Senator from New York yield the floor to the Senator from Louisiana?
Mr. Seward. No, sir, I do not.
Mr. Slidell called Mr. Seward to order. He was discussing the comparative merits of the two bills.
The Vice-President decided that Mr. Seward was in order.
Mr. Seward went on with a few words, when Mr. Fitch appealed to the Chair to put the question of order to the Senate, with a view of stopping what threatened to be an interminable discussion.
The Vice-President refused to do so.
Mr. Seward went on, saying: "It is in the Thirty-fifth Congress that the homestead bill has been put aside." He then contrasted the merits of the two bills.