The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-05-13


everywhere. My own opinion Is, that al con-
siderate minds here and everywhere are entire
~ disposed TO adhere TO the guarantees and com
promises Of the constitution, and instead Of be-
ing weakened by discussion, they are at every
sieP strengthened; they at every step become
nrmer and stronger bonds of union Let no
one try, If they can, to suppress discussion.
Every attempt 10 stop IL will result as In Europe
In one general sentiment, which will trample
under foot the power that attempts to suppress
IT, This will be the effect Of such attempts. i
invite, then, my friends To meet this question,
boldly, fearlessy, and not let this subject 90 10
tue public in the form which it now presents IL
seif-as bill presented here-relating to moth
ing but the protection OF property against the
violence OF a mob, and denied admission 10 this
nall and that table, because supposed TO have
some indirect connection with the question of
slavery. Let Us take, sir, a more manly view
OF the subIect--one that acc0rds better with the
character Of high minded men. Lei il take its
course here. Let IL 90 TO a eOmmiiee; let that
COMMITTEES examine il, and II. II does not, from
any cause, meet your appreciation when il comes
70 be considered, then let other measures take
It's Piaee-let II takeits fate But nothing, sir,
Is 10 be gained by this unasual course. Iassars
the gentlemen who represent this slave interest,
thai instead Of gaining they lose much, very
much.
Why, M. President, cannot every gentleman
see, and see plainly. that when this bin comes to
be published, when the terms In which it Is con-
eeised come TO be read and understood, it will
be seen that IL is measure different In no essen
tIal material point from laws existing in MANY
Of the free States and free countries everywhere
and as the Senator near me says in some Of
the slave States-making corporations under
certain circumstances, liable for the violence Of
mobs! And whoever takes the ground that
this bill has been brought in at an unprOpitious
moment, and for that reason denies Il admission,
assumes responsibility that he will sincerely
wish by and by to get rid OF. What have we
TO DO with the present movement, sir,-wiih the
particular and peculiar circumstances which
sarround the question: In my judgment, moth
ing al all. do not undertake 10 say what the
motives were Of the Senator from N H., in in
PRODUCING this bill; il does not become me TO in
qnire into them. II is enough for me to know
that If the printing Office Of The Union or Ma
tionM lnteligencer, were assailed and injured
by mob, that 1t would be my duty to inquire
how II happened, and whether farther provisions
were required in addition to the present laws Of
the District in order 10 suppress sseh dlsturban-
ees' The care and elaboration, should feel
myself bound, under such circumstances, 10 ex-
ereise with regard TO the property Of others,
would give in this case. The same measure Of
mete out in this. The protection which would
ieel 1t my duty TO give TO the properly Of others
nuder all circumstances, / would give in this
case. And II il turns out that this care Is I'M
worthily bestowed, that it does not demand Ieg-
isiation, then let il take its destiny But this Is
not the way TO deal with it, Ii does not, in my
judgment, have the sanction Of elaboration. /
nave always been Of the opinion that nothing
has been gained by the opposition to the intro
duetion of petitions here. l believe if the sub
Ject had been left open, and We had been allow
ed 10 60 into the consideration of the subject,
gentlemen wouhl have found less excitement
existiag than has been created by the opposite
course. Itwould have tended much more strong
iy, in my Judgment, 10 tranquiize and harmon
ize the public mind. Under all the circumstan-
ees, then, how ARE we to aet1 think the ques-
ton Is a very plain one. Things are brought in
and made TO bear strongly on the minds Of gen
uemen which do not belong 10 this question at
all shall vote for the reception Of the bill, in
order that Il may take the usual course Of legs-
lstiOn-
Mr.. CRITTESDEN.-what is the motion pend
ing'
The PRESIDING OFFicER--The Senator from
Pennsylvania made motion to adjourn, but
gave way to the Senator from South Carolina.
MIR. CRTTENDEN.-I intend to renew that mo-
ton. think after the excitement We have all
witnessed to-day, We will be better prepared to
decide with the elaboration which usually marks
the proceedings Ofthis body, at a future session.
move therefore, that we now adjourn.
MIR. BENTON. the gentleman withdraw
the motion for a'mOmenti / move that the pa
per be printed.
Orderrd, That the bill be printed for the use
Of the Senate.
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Md, then gave notice that
should the Senator from New HAMPSHIRE have
leave to introduce his bill, he would move the
following resolution
Resolnad, That the Committee TO whom Was referred
ne Bill relating to riots and unlawful assemblies in the
DStr1e OF Columbia be- and they hereby instructed
amend the said bin by inserting seCon in the Same
0T the efeetu protection, by penal provision other
wise OF the citizens Of this District aud other citizens OF
the United States, Ia the undiSturbed posse SSion and
ownership Of the property in slaves such DISTRICT
On, motion, the Senate then adjourned.