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

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heir descendants n that House for the zeal with
wn'ch tncy aided Them ~ tnat tiousc. Such were
me sentiments OF the people OF massachusetts since
the Oldest times OF their history Before they
ceased 10 DC colony OF Great Britain, they made
Tor themselves, for their children, and posterity,
every effort to rid themselves Of that slavery Yes,
long before the principle was so gorously an
nouhced IN the constitution Of the United States,
that "al men are born free and equal" they acted
upon u IN reference to slavery. Now she finds
herself IN one Of the most arid portions Of this
try; but, although circumscribed in extent and with
a soil and climate ungcnial, she is able to Sustain
herself, ana send thousands upon thousands of her
people to bring into cultivation the unrcclaimed
western portion Of this continent She did that, and
was ready to do SO STILL He would be glad that
some of those gentlemen who spoke in such high
sounding terms about San occanb bound rcpublic,p
would tell him what they meant. What he UNDER
stood by it, he was ready TO carry out, and SO were
his constituents. The very first sep-thc very
alpha of the realization of that, would be railroad
from the Atlantic 10 the Pacifc--to the mouth of the
Columbia river; and if continuous line of the
electric telegraph went along with ii, il would also
meet their views. In all that they would find the
genius and spirit Of Massachusetts with the coun-
try and engaged in defence of its interests in car
rying out these great IDEAS In regard TO the whole
Of that territory, she knows that il is not admitted
upon the terms she could approve; she knows that
for herself she is in some sort allied to people by
whose Constitution the institution of domestic
say that il that principle could be extended
in a territory whose climate is more mild
and salubrious, and whose soil is more fer
tile, she would be glad to aid in writing on the
western limit Of this great continent the doctrines of
freedom. Il would be found that many of those
points at issue that day will have faded away with.
Qua result He knew that in speaking OF tLose
matters To that House, he was doing that which
was Of no possible use but, up TO the last he had
been requested from various sources not to speak of
his own feelings to present his objections He did
SO from the convictions of his own heart The peo-
Pile Of Massachusetts regarded the institution Of sa-
very as a national sinus an offence against that
God without whose kind providence thew could
hope for nothing good. They regard its extension
as an institution an understandable and
extension of an institution. They believe It
to be in opposition to the inspiration of Di-
vine truth; and that if they did not attempt,
with all their power, to withstand il, thew
would incur portion Of the consequences.
For these reasons they wished to be heard there
that dav. before The great question was decided.
Whatever might be said about the Continuance Of
slavery where u already existed, thoy considered
principle. and in accordance with the most Cherish
ed feelings of his heart he protested against tie cx.
tension Of slavery over that new territory as con-
trary to the best interest Of the United States and of
posierty; as against freedom and the character the
North American continent should pcrpetuate to all
future ages of the world as contrary to the spirit of
The constitution under which thew had SO long har
moniously lived and the sentiments of the fathers
Of the constitution-one Of whom, in language
which. were il possible. would have been stronger
in reference to slavery said that he remblcd for his
tend to lake up more time than was necessary to
show the ground on which they stood. They con-
sidered that matter as wrong against the constu-
ton of their country and of the people at arge and
thew desired to enter their protest against IT, He
wished before leaving the hoor to offer all amend
ment to the resolution.
On the conclusion of Mr.. RocKwELL's speech
several members rose simultaneously to address the
House
Mr.. ROCKWELL continued to observe that it
was his wish to present an amendment.
Several voices called out that such a course would
not be in order
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Massa-
chusetts has the floor.
Mr. ROCKWELL. wish to have the resolu-
tons referred to The committee, amended as fol-
lows:
Provided That within the State by this resolution admit,
tea into Inc Union slavery Of involuntary servtnae lex
~ sss cnnsan with his h 1
nnll and void ~ $50 y $3.50. -
The SPEAKER. II il movod tbr the lii bc ,o
cc,ns;dsr.d y,;,L ~. a,rendn,enss ;n.. ana -
MI. DOUGLASS. wish 10 know what would
be the effect of moving the previous question.
ine SrEahE sr., is erect w., would pc 70 bring
no lAouSo ~ uiioo' so'o =" ''e o'iSnai iesoiu-
tons.
Mr.. JOSEPH JOHNSON, Mr.. GEO. s. HoUS-
TON, and several others expressed their dissent to
the decision Of the Speaker.
The SPEAKER made few remarks, sustaining
the decision he had made, by quoting from the rules
of the House.
Mr.. JOHNSON read the 10th rule as follows;
ga motion to strike out the enacting words Of bill
shall have precedence of a motion to amend; and,
if carried shall be considered equivalent to it's rejec-
tion." Also the following rule
"a difference of opinion often arises to the con-
struction of this rule. Ancently, it was held and
practised upon, according to its terms, that bill
could be recommitted at any time before its passage
OF late years. it has been decided that, if the pre-
vious question on its passage be ordered, motion
to recommt is not in order, but that the question
must be put the passage of the bill. / think the
practice unsound; the intention of recommitment
is for the purpose of perfecting the BILL and is en-
dangered by forcing its passage in an imperfect