The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-21

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privilege was Prvileged question But he should
tain the decision OF the Chair though for the reasons
given by The Chair II member had been attacked for
Soris spoken this floor he for nqurng into the
facts He believed the facts before authorized a
investigation into the question whether members OF this
npass had not been guilty Of insiga'ng the feones
which had been perpeiraed here during the last few
days ana whether they did not deserve TO he expelled
from this body. He should move amendment TO the
resolutions proposing such an inquiry.
Mr HASKELL said there members on this door
wne mad made attempts TO dissolve the bonds OF law and
a. ,ne constitutions and failing in that, by efforts this
ooI he osnseienhousy believed that they had resored
20 ohef more direct modes for accomplishing their pur
poses we had seen slaves entice az from their
iers-we had seen vessel coming to this city for that
purpose These men, II found guilty. ought 10 be hanged
as high as haman He read an amendment that he
should ofer and which viii be found below
blr BAfLl desired The said) 10 have Tins sub;act re-
ierred to committee for inquiry Fer that purpose he
would move TO lay the appeal on the table
Mr STEW AkI made a point OF order Ii was i'm
possible ge, the foor when half dozen members cut
Of their seats, stood up front OF him.
/ The appeal was then laid on the table without d-
vision.
4 The preamble and resolutions were then read
MIR. VENABLE said that it with extreme reuci-
that he catered into this discussion He had hoped
when he came here, that wings and democrats would
meet here cherishing the common bonds OF the Union
But he soon saw here. notwithstanding all the orbear
ance OF the south. that the spirit Of fanaiicism had taken
snch hold OF some members, that question could be
brought up here, without assault upon the south.
We have heard member declare that the slaves ought
to run away, and that il their arrest them, the
slave has right 10 kill bis and that he viii hal
hun a clever fellow He had examined the law OF
Ohio this subject and found that the law there "a
everywhere, would punish murder the killing man
while in the exercise OF lawful rights Mr. " spoke
length ana with much ardor, upon the fanaticism and
MIR. GlDDlNGS wished 10 say that he went to the aii
TO the captain, and stated that he had brought
him gentleman who would serve as counsel Tor him
and the other associated with him. That was SAID
IN the presence OF persons
Mr.. GAYLE. Did the member go there to be rewarded
by the slaves, from the prompiings of humanity,
Mr.. VENABLE continued he did not desire to
pursue the gentleman from Ohio with feeling of
maevolence; bat had the gentleman's sympathy
the oppressor's hand The not known of his
pity But there were at the north above the infiu
ence o. anls we ana'c' ana nm supporters q nose
not yield 10 circumstances He said these provisions of
the constitution could not be amended but BY unanimous
consent OF the States, 1t did not become any northern
man 10 lecture the south the disposition to dissolve
the Unon-reerring the declaration OF Josiah Quincy
upon the acquisition of Louisiana, and OF Mr. Adams
and others upon the annexation of Texas The south
did not mean 10 give up any OF their rights under the
compromises OF the constitution They would defend
this question He was for investigation, and would sub
NIT amendment 10 the resolution, that The committee
shall consist Of nine members and be elected by ballot
Mr. HASKELL tinterPosIng, and MIR. V. giving way)
desired 10 ask The gentleman from ONO MIR. GIDDINGs1
whether he justified these slaves in their attempt
Mr. GfDDlNGS said it was due to the House and to
The world, that he should make frank statement He
had no hesitation in answering the question. He held
and Were entitled to protection in life. liberty and the
pursuit OF happiness. The feeling tina. mankind,
ever been n Taught by his fathers Unlike the Gentleman
from North Carolina, Mr.. VENaBLE.l ne boosted no, Of
his fathers fighting for liberty; but let those who assa
me- first take to set themselves right
MANY cries OF order, and some confusion here inter-
rupted the gentleman from Ohio-l
MFR. HOUSTON, Of Delaware, desrll 10 inquire, when
ii alleged that member has been mcnaced by per-
out of the House for alleged participation
criminal offence against the civil law, whether it
tha TnnU
ton TO that member to the just6abeness Of the
The SPEAKER replied that the gentleman was not
MI GIDnINGS. The gentleman puts question to
me- If the .'doughfaces" will only keep COOL we may
have pretty fight He would answer the question. He
at Yorktown and on which this itself was
based-tha all men free and equal; and whosoever
nrudes between God and me- and attempts to rob me Of
either OF these my naleBable rights. 30 far God has
him he must not do it. hold that every into
inflicted by Decatur upon those oppressors OF people
in Algers, most righteous retributon-a in
which he would have shed his blood freely for he held
that~every man, when he ID assaled and power is
brought TO bear against his nalenable rights, should
defend those rights to the utmost Coming this way
down the question of the gentleman from Tennessee,
he said that when these slaves Of the District OF Coun
ba felt the chains of their honda bearing heavily upon
them Che stated before God and the worldly that they
Nj, HASKELL. am satisfied inasmach as the gen
.leman iusti6es the slaves, desire now also 10 know
whether he lusfihes the thieves:
Mr. GiDDlNGS did no, know that there hal been any
thieves in the
Mr. HASKELL. The men, then:
Mr. GIDDINGS. The gentleman may be assured that
do not come here with any disposition to suppress
disguise single sentiment Where laws enforced,
would say that men should obey them. We per
med to interfere with the ihs OF citizens here be
cause OF our allegiance to the government
Mr. VENABLE resumed. sending to the Clerks table
the following amendment which he bad before indicated,
but embracing now modification the amendment
suggested by the gentleman from Tennessee, lar Has
FELL 4 which was read, follows
Strike ont the fvc," in the resolution, and inseu
nine " after the word appointed" the WORT
ssby ballot also insert after the words referred to- the
following " and that said committee be instructed
inquire nto report this House. whether my member
or members OF this House instrumental procuring
who recently decoyed from the
District leave their and whether the said
members of this House have been guilty Of felony
attempting, aiding in an attempt. to kidnap siyes
Mr.. v. then gave way for
MIR TOONiBS, who objected to Identifying the resou
ton by admitting that the matter involved aqueson o
privilege He denied the ground assumed by the gentle
man from Pennsylvania, IMr. j. r. IxcERsoLL1 He
held tina. rights better defined under The con
sttution than were the rights OF British subjects an
members of Parliament under their most exavagani AM
oppressive claims OF privilege He stood mere al report,
we're truel the defender OF the rights of the mob alu lei
TO- Until Congress should pass laws bearing upon the
case the threats of The mob could not be nieered with
He showed that The Speaker In his decision claimed the