The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-24

ton and AtcheSon from missouri, Dotn presented
petitions for the occupation and protection of the
Oregon. The Senate had a short executive session,
in which no combinations OF any public interest
were made.
In the House, another exciting debate occurred
on abolition, as you will see by the report: Mr.;
Adams made ''set Speech" in which he defined
his position. 1t would seem that the great abol-
ton wave is sweeping on towards the South with
greater and greater power. The celebrated absl-
zionist, Joshua Leavitt, has been some time here
at Washington, and may be seen every day in the
House, very busy. Mr.. Wise has changed his
ground formally.
The abolition question, now before the House,
Is the leading feature Of the day here at Washing
ton. | would call particular attention to Mr.
Adams speech II was listened to with intense
INTERESTINGLY word watched rectis au,Ibus
Many OF the southern people are bitterly exas-
perated against Mr.. Adams.
WASHINGTON, FRIDAY NIGHT, Dec. %.
Highly Interesting Speech from Mr.. adams on the
Massachusetts, Resolutions.
Perhaps there never has been, and never will be,
or at least tor some time to come, so intensely IN
teresting scene as that which occurred to-day in
the House of Representatives, on the question OF
disposng of the resolutions from the Legislature of
Massachusetts, Offered by Adams yesterday pray
ing tor an amendment TO the Constitution.
The Resolutions, it will be recollected, asked
that Representatives and direct taxes shall be APP
portloned among the several States, according TO
the number Of free persons. and untaxed Indians in
them, to take effect IN two years; that is in the
rect blow at the South, and allows free colored
persons to vote in any State And it was upon this
subject that Messrs. Wise and Holmes took such
strong ground, and evinced so much warmth and
bitterness in the debate Of yesterday.
The speakers yesterday, were allowed to reply
to Mr.. Adams through courtesy and the only
question before the House to-day was whether
ell. .1,t1~. l.. l..
terred to a select committee. But Mr.. Adams
was allowed to reply and the! scene that ensued,
never be forgotten by those who Were so fortu-
nate as to witness 1t.
After the Journal was read,
Mr. ADAMS rose-sr, the journal says was called to
order for offensive remarks sir was called order for
irreleuancy' wish that corrected.
ApAMs~sarc asticayJ Then sir # was called to
order for offensive remarks wish the journal to state
what the offensive words were This produced great
scu OF the speaker sympahisng with the SOULS ofsome
of the members)
spEAKNn.-The journal will be corrected Qaughter)
MEMsER.lsnt he great old horse!
Accommodates bitter old scorpion, and wish the
Chaplain would put daily prayer that he may speed
ly be taken to Abraham's bosom.
Here there were twenty thirty members the floor
crying out, "Mr Speaker and all wanting to make mo-
tlons and some Of them did make very grotesque mo-
tons.
PREsToN KIsc.--(A short fat good natured man. Mr.
Speaker what the business before the House? (Grea
laughter)
sPEAKEn.-The disposal of the Massachusetts resolu
tons.
KISG.-Is that debateable.
SPEAKER.-No, sir.
KNe.-Then object. (Roars of laughter)
MIR. Enthusiastically, sir, gentlemen consumed two
hours in most interesting manner debating this wish to
say few words to those gentlemen Qanghter)
Cries of-"Oh yes LET him go on" Hear him."
"No nor'
Klsc.-I object, sir. Laughter and great noise and
confusion)
CAVE JoHssoS.several gentlemen wish to debate it.
kING.-I object Increased laughterO
DAVIS (of N Y)-l wish to say something this sub
ject.
KrSc-You do 2 very well, l object! daughter and
members to the floor at once and all tried TO
speak; and for two three minutes there something
approXmatng the confusion at the tower Of Babel)
SrEAKER-Ifit gives rise to debate it must lie over.
ADAMs-sir, it has lain over one day already Laugh
debate, will lie and over and over the end OF
time if this House lasts long Screams OF laughter
and cries of Oh for Heavens sake let the old go
he'll worry us out y
CLIseMis.-I move the gentleman from Massachusetts
have leave to speak.
ApAMs.-(ln peculiar tone Of voice) Thank you, sir
Much laughter)
BELsER.eT move to lay the resolu ions the table.
C. j. lNGERsoLL-What! lay the resolutions of sove.
Cries Of Oh, no. no ~ "Go ON y Question y land
at least thirty members up all talking at the top pitch
HupsoS-Why sir yesterday four or five Of the MAORI
ty here were allowed to debate this and now,
ofthe minority to be allowed TO reply (Cries of oil
no." "ihat won't do" and great excement)
srEAKER-The Chair so decides. Considerable sensa.
tion)
BELsER-I withdraw the notion so as to allow the gen.
tleman from Massachusetts, TO speak (Cres of Good
srEAxER-The House must suspend the rules before he
WINTHROP call for a suspension of the rules then,
sir.
GrpprSos-And demand the ayes and noes on that mo
voIcE-Good go it It'll never do to give it up So
Mr.. Brown (Laughter)
So, twothirds voting in the affirmative, the rules
suspended to allow Mr. Adams to proceed.
Upon this the old man eloquent in his might, calm
but most imposing in his manner his venerable form d
ating with honest pride and his ghtnngike eye grey
hair and bald forehead, presenting most pcturesqe ap
pearance whilst the members of the House. young
old crowded into the arena in front to listen to him.
SpEAKER-Gentlemen will please to take their seats
ADAMs.-Sr, as to what committee it pleases the Hous,
to select COMMITTEES have done my duty in presenting
them, and urging their reference. That's all have I,
Mr. Speaker Increased laugher) / have word OF
two to say to the gentlemen who replied to yesterday
almost breathless sence2 The gentleman from virgi
MIA se) said that from this day forth for SHOULD
cease to which he and his friends have carried on To-
seven or eight years against these ana ne ea
ton of war which he meant to make in another place
before his constituents And this called up the gentleman
from South Carolina; QIomes) who with all the hig
and lofty feelings of southern chvalry, for which he
his friends celebrated, Qaughter said that he would
the in this House-he would sound the tocsin
buckle his sling his sword and, for anght
know grid up his lons like the giant old Great laugh
ter for Holmes, though noble, highsprited brave
The war With whom 2 The citizens of our com
non country Our brethren and sisters
Bound together by one holy bond of interest
affection, and the sacred ties Of kindred (Im
sensation all the IIouse Sir the gentleman
from Virginia (Wise) said what true and what
very proper This not the place for the battle Sh
is not the place for battle Of any kind. lit is pld(
solemn deliberatiohior the interchange of thought
mind in harmony between friends and brothers. IS,
all brothers of one blessed family having Interest,"
at heart desires to attain objects to achieve but thu
common good Of orr common country-(Great sensation
and the members noselessly the old man.
And although the gentleman from Virginia WISE vii
no longer occupy the post the military post-Qaughter
which he has so long occupied-aye commanded-ii
this House; yet, in resignng it, he did anything
wise in his of laughter) Sir, the position
not enable. The country will no longer support il
And therefore the gentleman has last held ou the cs
signal Of surrender. decreased aughter) And to Goo
Almighty be all the glory Tremendous scnsation) The
people will sustain those who kick their petitions.
out Of doors-Qaughter) And sir word to the gentl.
man from South Carolina though he is armed cap--