The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-06
Wentg=Etghth Goagress.
FIRST SESSION.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
SATURDAY, January 6, 1874.


Mr.. HOUSTON rose and said the Globe Of yes
terdsy presented him improperly home, and also the
Speaker That report sta cd that he inquired Of the
Char II the previous question would cut of the mo-
lion TO amend made by the gentleman from Georgia
To which,he Chai replied would. This was not
SO. The Chair replied tina. il would not cut off the
motion TO recommt
lie said that his object in moving the previous ques
ton was 10 cut off debate. and not the motion to
commit, as stated in the Globe t.i REnt
Mr. WELLER asked the leave of the House TO
Introduce bill Of which he had previously given
tice 10 amend and continue in force the ncorpora
ting the city Of Washington, which read twice
and referred 10 the Committee The District Of CO.
lumbla. att
MIR. HALE rose and asked the leave Of the House
to withdraw his objections in relation to resolutions
introduced yesterday by Mr.. Levy.
Mr. NEW TON presented some papers in relation
to the contested election between Messrs Bolts and
Jones, which wese referred to The Committee EIec
lions.
Mr.. THOMASSON asked the leave of the House
to Introduce resolution in relation u the peniten'i
airy of this District, which was 7, fused.
Mr.. GIDDiNGS objec,ing.
MIR. STUART, Of Pennsy wanna, offered to present
a resolution which was objected to.
Mr. 8. then moved that The rules be suspended, and
called for the yeas aud nays which were not order
So the rules were not suspended
MIR. f. J. NORRIS presented petition of clti-
of Philadelphia, praying an appropriation for
The construction Of Dry Dock at the Navy Yard at
Philadelphia. lH..
Mr. SMITH, of Illinois, offered a resolution as an
amendment to the amendment on the subject of the
rules which was decided 10 be in order.
The House then proceeded to the orders of the
day. III
REPORT ON THE RULES.
Mr.. DUNCAN, Of Ohio, rose and said that he
was anxious TO place himself upon this subject in
proper light fore his consiituentsnot only his con-
hut hef., tha Nf
that they might know his position During his last
election, he was addressed commune alton by the
Abolisionss in his District, propoundios to him sese
raj questions upon the subject Of slavery and he was
free to confess hat in the letter he addressed TO them
in reply he deprecated slavery in the abstract and he
believed was not only evil TO the country, but TO
the South yet he did not believe that Congress had
the constitutional right to abolish slavery in the Dis
'ric Of Columbia, against tie wishes Of the People
That part of the letter denying the constitutional
right to abolish slavery in the District, had been sup
pressed by those to whom il addressed, and that
part which acknowledged slavery TO be an evil in the
abstract was published in of the newspapers of
the country for effect, making appear that he was
modern AboIiiionst. lie really did not know that
be WAS Of 80 much importance, as 10 be thus pro-
sented to the American People. But he would
take this occasion 10 let the People know his
views not only on the right Of petition, but
upon the question Of Abolition He believed
that the speech made by Mr.. Clngman was the most
sensible one that had been delivered upon this sub
ec, but he could NOT ia favor OF The latudinous
sentiments OF the gentleman from New York, Mr.
BEARDsLEr,l who, in his view Of the subject, be-
heves in the potency Of Congress- under the grant of
exclusive jurisdiction, to abolish slavery against the
wishes of the People. He believed the Constitution
was created for different purposes; it was for de-
fence, and Congress cannot exercise any powers in
the States except those which have been clearly
and expressly delegated il exercise no powers
IN the District of Columbia except these which were
cedcd by The States of Maryland and Virginia; il
can exercise no power whatever not warranted ex-
pIessy by the Constitution. Is there State in This
Union-a Lsgislalure--that would exercise the pow
er OF abolshlng slavery without the consent Of the
people The right is inherent in the people, and the
Legislatures only reflect the sentiments OF the peoples
at least it is presumed they do and the District OF
Columbia is sovereign, free, and independent as
any State IN this Union, and Congress is its Legs-
lature--its constitutional Legislature--which cannot
exercise any power not warranted by the Constitu
ton, or abolish slavery against the of the peo
pie OF the District asserted by the gentleman from
N.fork Mr. Beard ley which IN his opinion ifcarr-
ed OUT, would be direct, palpable and unequvooa
violation of th Constitut and the deed Of cession
of Virginia and Maryland.
He was against this 25lb rule because as stated
by the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Cling
man prevented The people of the Distinct of Coum-
b. should they desire II, TO pettion for the abolition
ofs'avery, and which exclusively belonged to ihem
and not TOT the people Of the States. 1t jut as
proper for he people Of Ohio petition the Autocrat
OF AL the Russias 10 abolish the feuJsl system as TO
petition Congress to Ob lish slavery 10 the District OF
Columbia. They had nothing whatever to do with
the domestic institutions of the States the District
Of Columbia A
When he was boy, he al read, that
Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord
thy God in IL thou shalt not do any work thou nor
thy son, nor thy daughter thy manservant, nor thy
maid-servani nor Thy cattle, nor thy stranger that
within thy gates"
~,
denunea DRY upon The .uhjcc, of slavery, desg
IT asa violation ofthe law Of God, prcDou pcing it az
>rss,y wrong, If this quotation from the Holy Scrip
tures doe~ nos lead Ia believe that slavery Of some
.on existed 600 years ego lie did not wish to class
the negro with The ass the or bccauc he believed
them to be human bcings-it only IN illustration
OF his subject. Would !, be polite il we had the
right, to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia,
surrounded as Il IL by the States of Maryland and
Virginia, where slavery constitutionaIly exists
Would gentlemen from the non-sI ,veboLing States
like TO see three mu,ons OF slaves turned loose upon
them II would be far raore dangerous to the free
States than for slavery to ex,st--m would be moro
dangerous, because If they let loose they would
carry with them feeling Of revenge against the
white population, who would have TO be more watch
ful and vgi'an perhaps in the dead hour of night
the tagot might be applied 10 their homes and babita-
lions, and their wives and children inhumany MUIR
dpred. Would II not be worse for the non slave
holding States 10 lIberaie them than for them to re
main in state OF slavery in which they have been
placed by Providencei Certainly. He concurrcd in
the remarks OF MIR. Davis, Of New York, that the
liberation Of the slaves in the slave States would be
the greatest that ever befc them They werc
Of men, greatly inferior 10 the white man in
every essential particular, as the negro was TO tho
ouraDg outaug they were inferior in mental and
physical ability. and not capable of that social moral
and religious refinement which has characterized the
white man since the creation of the world.
II they we're " Grated, what would Congress do
with theml Would thew. colonizc them Where
aud when, has the negro ben cf to govern hmsel
That he did mol become bank rup in morals religion
lniellIei ce and wealth, Where have they ever
mAnt LIn.d in4crsc.4iert Ii