The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-17

NieSSrS. Ritchle q fteiSS were accordingly de-
clared duly elected by the President.
On motion of Mr.. SEWER, the resolution which
PASSED the House in relation to the appointment of
chaplain concurred in; when
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The Journal being read,
The SPEAKER handed in sundry -communica-
tons, viz:
LIST. A letter from the Secretary Of the Treasury,
transmitting report of the revenue marine service,
which presents detailed statement OF the vessels
employed those in course of construction, and an
estimate Of the expenditure thereon laid on the
table.
end A letter from the Secretary of the Treasury,
transmitting report of the coast survey, showing
the progress of that survey during the year ending
November, l845.
Mr.. ]. r, INGERSoLL moved that it be laid on
the table, and $50 extra copies printed for the use Of
the department. Carried.
THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.
The SPEAKER said the question next before the
Hoose was upon the resolutions of the legislature
Of Massachusetts,, concerning the naturalization
laws. The question first in order was upon the mo-
ton of the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. LE-
WIN } for their reference TO select committee.
The resolutions are as follows:
Whereas the purity of the ballobox is indispensable for
the purity OF the rights and the free and full expression
the will of the peoples and whereas experience has clearly
demonstrated that the naturalization laws of the United
States loose and defective aording opportunities for
the preparation OF gross frauds destructive alike the
rights and morals Of our citizens and the stability
stitutions: Therefore,
Resolped That the rights interests and morals Of the
people demand immediate and thorough revision of the
of Congress so to amend these laws that while liberal and
just policy shall be adopted towards such foreigners
counyymen shall BE- kept invoste and the ballot per
manenily guarded against every improper influence.
Resolved That senator's and in Con-
tpr
exertons forthwith 10 procure such amendments in the
uraaon laws shall carry and perpetuae far as
possible the principles indicated in the foregons resolve
Reoed That his excellency the governor be requested
to transmit copy of these resolutions to each of sena
tors and reprssentativesin Congress.
After the resolutions had been read
MIR. LEVIN rose and said, that he proposed to
make few remarks, without going into the full mer-
its of the case which reference select commit
tee would alone be able to accomplish. He object
ed to reference to the Committee on the Judiciary
not because he was influenced by any want Of re-
spect for it, not because he wished TO detract from
their learning, but because it was an established
usage-an elementary rule cf,hat House-to give
full and candid discussion to the merits of questions
submitted to it, which the committee was not likely
to do. The doctrine was, that those who were op-
posed to bill, were not to be made its Judges,
or, as Grey had il, "a child was not to be but
out to a nurse who cared not for itn Hence
it was that Thomas Jefferson declared and laid il
down, that no man was to be consulted on any mat
ter when he had declared against it, principle SO
obviously republican, calculated to carry out its
spirit to need defence. If matters Of that sort
were referred to committees hostile to its great lead
ing principle all chance of getting reform would
be cut of. Such proceeding would better suit the
divan of some eastern Sultan, than the republican
Congress of the U. s. What was the subject of that
rule? Its object was to promote the cause of truth
and Justice, by discussing the report the floor of
that House, instead of having it slranged in the
Of in
never be heard of more until the committee asked
leave to be discharged. That the Judiciary Com
mittee was against it, none would attempt to deny.
He would there boldly announce it as fact. On
what ground then, could they refuse to refer it to
select committed The subject was one involving
the safety of the nation, and one which, sooner or
later, must be inquired into. The eyes of the whole
nation were turned to that House in relation to the
naturalization laws. 1t would be only contrary
to the usages of the House, but the declarations Of
200,0 voters at the present time, whose numbers
would be speedily increased to million. Popular
opinion required that the motion should prevail. 1t
was SO compact, much of unit, that it could not
be referred to the ordinary committee with becom-
ing consideration So far did that principle alluded TO
accord with the rules of that House, that it was
common TO grant the right to be excused from vot-
ing, when asked for. All subjects ought to be
brought into full and free discussion instead of be-
ing stuck in corner. All they asked, was, that
they should not burke the subject, by placing it in
the hands of its enemies. All they asked for. was
fair field, and that could scarcely be refused by an
American Congress. Various lights could be shed
upon it in discussion on that floor, which would
never be elected in committee-room; but once put
it into the arms Of its foes, and il would then get
leave to sleep for ever. A cordial reception there,
would do more than anything that could be said
against it. His constituents expected to be treated
with all the respect that due to the descendants
of George Washington. They proposed to carry
A. -. Al. Il
name, and in the name of the American people,
Let truth and falsehood battle. Let them have an
opportunity to bring the subject before that House;
and there contest it, foot to foot and voice to voice.
without any aid but that of truth, and the God of
truth. He hoped the resolution would be adopted
Mr.. GIDDINGS asked the gentleman, who had
spoken of the 10000 petitioners, whether he had
not smothered the petitions against American
slavery, presented to the House, by voting to lay
them on the table.
Mr.. BRODHEAD arose, but was interrupted by
Mr.. LEVIN, who wished to explain.
The SPEAKER remarked, that he was con-
strained to apply the rule and give possession of the
floor to the gentleman who had yielded it for an ex-
PLANTATION.
Mr. LEVIN. Allow me to answer the gentle
man.
(Cries of "No, no." eyes" "Hear LEVIN"
&C.,
Mr. BRoDHEAD then proceeded. He
observed that the gentleman from Philadelphia
would have ample opportunity to answer the
gentleman from Ohio in few minutes He would
not stop enter into discussion of the principles
of the native American party, but make few re-
marks of business character, for the purpose of
explaining why the resolution now on the table
should be referred to the Committee on the judicial
ry. When the gentleman from Alabama had made
motion to lay them on the table, he withdrew the
motion that he Mr. b. might make the present
motion for reference TO the Judiciary Committee.
He made the motion out of respect for his colleague
md those represented by him. He made it also be-
,ause his colleague, and those acting with him. were
strangers in that House. And in what
spirit was that motion met? Why, the gentleman |
,rose in his place, and announced determination
IN the part Of the Judiciary Committee to srangle
he resolutions, and put them in Of the COM
nittee room. And what, he would ask, is there in |
he native American party, or in their principles, |
hat should require at the hands of this Congress |
my more generous consideration than the interests
advocated by other gentlemen Where was their |
evidence that there was disposition the part of
he Committee the Judiciary to treat this subject |