Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-05-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
Debate on Slavery

In the u. 5. Senate. Congressional de-
bates are generally dull enough; but the fol
lowing debate which took place the Goth of
April, on the introduction of bill by Mr..
Hale of N. HI. for securing life and prop
erty against violence of mobs, is worth read
ing:
| Mr.. Calhoun-What is the bill,
! The Secretary read the bill through for the
Information of the Senator.
Mr.. Calhoun-No Senator can mistake
the object of this bill, nor the occurrences
which have brought it up. He was aston
ished that the Senator from New Hamp-
shire had forgotten penalty for the afro
cous act leading to the proceeding. Was
il supposed that the South had lost all feel
ing? For a dozen years Mr.. Calhoun said
he had felt that if ever this Union was brok-
en- up it must be upon this slavery question.
The South must now act promptly and eff
| ficiently, or soon their rights under the con-
stitution would be lost beyond recovery
Wewerc now approaching that point. How
else could we account for the atrocioiis act
of such bill as this at this time? He re-
GREETED to see it; but he hoped he did not
stand alone. He had been for many years
ldiifiust tHf cACfuSItc utItIutF oi tHt CDutU
on this floor; but he hoped that other and
younger men would stand by him He hop
ed If the bill was referred, it would be re-
ported back amended so as to prevent any
further wholesale robbing in our own wa
tiers. limo such measure is adopted here,
we have the means in onr own hands for
preventing these pratical vessels from
touching our shores He would be lacking
in his duty to the people Of this District
10 the people of the Southland to the safe
ty of the Union, if he did not raise his voice
against such bill as this on such an occa-
sion.
Mr.. Westcott moved to lay the question
of leave to introduce the bill upon the table,
MIR. Calhoun-Let US meet the question
directly, and reject it with call of the yeas
and nays upon it.
Mr.. Westcott said, there has been no out
rage in this District, except by men who
had carried off the property of the citizens,
like robbers as they were. There was
meeting last night of the citizens; but no
property was destroyed-there was no in
lcenhiary act, like this which we have seen
in this Senate this morning. The slave
holders of this District were opposed to
any lawless measures. AT the instance Of
Mr.. Calhoun he Withdrew the motion to lay
the question of reception on the table.
Mr. Calhoun (aside)-Now let us hear
from the Mississippi valley. ~
Mr.. Jefferson Davis took the floor. He
concurred in the views of the Senator from
South Carolina, but preferred to follow
him who had so long and faithfully defend
ed the rights of the South. The time had
come to defend these citizens against kid
nappers, who come here and steal proper
~, recognized as such under the consfitu-
ton and thus wantonly invade our domestic
rights, and violate the feelings Of one half of
the States of this Union. Why is it thar
here, at this time upon this question, always
exciting. this thing of treachery to the I'M
ion should be introduced, This is not de-
batahIe ground. We must meet this issue,
and, if necessary, to the shedding of blood.
And, sir, if this chamber, Is to BIZ made the
scene of the contest, why let it come. The
sooner the better. If civil disorder is TO be
spread over the land, we are ready 10 meet
IL. We are ready now TO meet any incendi-
airy who, deaf to the feelings of humanity,
and the constitution, and the rights of his
neighbors, may fling his fire brands among
US.
Mr.. Foot referred TO the inaugural Of
Mr.. Van Buren, in reference TO the slavery
VI tDtr ul-lfiCt, a. giving the Doutn some
confidence and repose. But now certain in
dividuais-he would not call them gentle
men-were attempting by insidious means
TO accomplish abolition in this DISTRICT
The measure introduced here was repug-
nant TO the constitution and false TO the
country. IL was grand larceny 10 the peo-
Die of this District. A man capable Of such
larceny would b. capable of highway rob
berry. If the law could not reach such
wretches, they out to be punished under the
rights of self defence, which are above the
law. The kidnapping, the wholesale rob
cry, which had lately occurred here, he was
informed, had been counselled and allotted