Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-04


State of Maryland. have that statute before
me and will hand IL TO the Senator.
Mr.. Johnson, Of Md.--Allow me TO see it.
MIR. FooTE.--llow are we TO understand the
Senator? He will not acknowledge that his
object is TO encourage such conduct and he
shuns the responsibility. When we charge upon
him that he himself has breathed in the course
OF his harangue Of this morning the same spirit
which has characterized this act, he says most
mildly and quietly, "By no means-I have
only attempted to Introduce bill corresponding
substantially with the law on the statute books
of most OF tho States of this coniedcracy." And
the Senator supposes that all of us are perfectly
dcmented or do not know the nature of the case,
the circumstances or the motives which have
actuated the Senator, Will ho undertake 10
assert, that he would ever have thought OF such
bill if these slaves had not been abducted from
the District, in opposition 10 the consent of their
owners by the parties engaged in this marau-
ding expedition? lie cannot deny it; and,
therefore, | am authorized to come TO the con-
cusion, that he introduced the bill for the pur-
pose OF covering and protecting that act, and
encouraging similar acts in FUTURE What is
the phrascoogy Of the bill E.? ('The hon. Senator
here read the bilLJ Who doubts not that the
object Of the Senator from New Hampshire was
to secure the captains Of vessels and others en-
gagged in any attempts by violence to capture
and steal the slaves of this District? No man
can doubt it. Then, | ask, have used language
too harsh, and is it not fact that the Senator is
endeaVOnng to eyade a responsibility which he
is not willing to acknowledge?
Mr.. HALE Will the Senator give way for a
moment? | will read All extract from the law
Of Maryland to which referred. win the sen.
ator be good enough to look at my bill while |
read?
Ar Acr RELATING TO Riors.
sLo BE it enacted by the General Assembly Of Mary
county n5 ao Cd 1Si 'e passSgG oi tns oS Any
chapel or convent any dweng ouse any house used
place Tor the Transaction OF business, deposit OF property
any ship ship yard, lumber yaid barn. stable 9th
er out house, any articles OF personal property, shall be
injured or destroyed or II any property therein " thereon
shall be taken awuy Injured destroyed by any rotuus
tumuuous nsomagc Of the people, the full of the
damage shall be recoverable by tho sufferers by suit At law
against the county town or city, wherein whose jurisdiction
such nby shall be Incurred by such county, Incorporated
town or city, ullcs the authorities thereof shall have had
good reason to believe that such riot umultuOus
as wI uou 10 ,shc place. or having taken place. should
nave had notice OF the same in time TO prevent said injury
destruction. either by their police with the aid OF the
citizens of such county, city ii being the
ton this act that such liability shall be devolvod
such county, town or city, unless the authorities thereof
having notice, have also the ability themselves, with
Their own c'zouL TO prevent said inury Provided farther
That Ia no case shall indemnity be received where II shall
be satisfactorily proved that the civil authorities thereof
have used all reasonable diligence and all the powers
otous or unlawful assemblies.
sEe2 And be it enacted, That any suit Instituted un
|
und give the special matter in evidence.
The honorable Senator will now surely do me
the justice to say, that the bill was not drafted
with reference to any particular case, such as
that to which lie refers. had not the remotest
reference to the protection Of individuals con
cerned in transactions Of that character; hut i'll
should undertake to say, that had no reference
to the demonstrations growing out of that trans
action, should be saying what was false, for il
was these demonstrations which induced me &c
introduce this bill.
Mr.. FooTE. In one breath the Senator makes
two directly contradictory assertions. lie says
that he did not draw the bill in reference to this
case, and in the same breath declares that he
| did He discams in one moment, that which
he ayows in the next! | am sorry that have
occupied the attention of the Senate so long
have felt deeply on this subject. We have wit
messed this morning the first attempt on this floo
TO violate the constitutional rights of the South
and hope 1t will be the last trust that the in.
dignatlon Of the country will be so aroused, that
even IN the quarter of the country from which he
comes the Senator from New Hampshire, altho
his sensblities are not very approachabe, will
| be made 10 feel ashamed OF his conduct.
Mr.. MANGUM. 1t e now about fourteen years
l believe, since the Senate very wisely, by the
concurrence of the ablest and most distinguished
men on both sides, came to the resolution TO eX
clude discussion upon the inhaming topic o.
Slavery and that when abolition petitions were
presented, upon the question of ception, mo
ton should be entertalned-which motion Is moi
debateabe--and the vote taken upon it is, TO lay
the motion for reception upon the table. There
has been, ever since this rule was established q
steady and uniform adherence to it, but an
sorry to perceive that there is latterly DISPOSE
ton manifestng itself to depart froh the sauta
ny rule of action which the Senate thus wisely
prescribed for ITSELF Upon this question of slave
| ry we know there are different opinions entertain
ed in different quarters of the Union. | stand
| here representing the interests Of one portion Of
that Union, but could not, if | would, bring
myself to state OF excitement and alarm IN con-
sequence ofany menaces that may be thrown out
| | stand upon the constitutional compromises
and while would not invade the rights Of 9th
ers, am very sure that the sound portion Of the
community will not invade our rights? Why
should we pursue this discussion? Is it TO be
believed that we are TO be reasoned out of ou
! rights? Are we to b. reasoned out of our con
victlons? No, sir Then why discuss the sub
ject? Why not stand upon our rights upor
constitutional compromises? Why not sianC
thus perfectly passloness, but prepared to de
tend them when they shall be assaled? Blu
are they to be as5ailed? Sir, nothing has occur
ed during this session that has afforded me more
satisfaction than to hear from some OF the abes
and most distinguished men in this Union, the
declaration that while they are opposed to al
extension of the area of Slavery, they are no
disposed to trample upon the compromises of tho
Constitution This is our strength. 1t is to be
found in the patriotism of those who love the in
stltutions of our county better than party
believe the great body OF the people are prepar
ed TO stand upon the compromises of the consti
tuition 1t is upon this ground that stand con
tent and passonless, and if know myself shall
continue to-do so. Sir, 10 good can result from
this discussion, | shall vote against the recep
ton Of the bill at this time. And why? Because
| think that the occasion which is selected for it
introduction is very unhappy one. 1t seems t.
grow out of the occurrence OF an unwarrauabl
trespGss recently committed upon the rights o
the citizens Of this District, without being direc
ted to the prevention Of such aggressions in iu
ture, but on the contrary, having for It's objec
the suppression of the manifestations Of the feel
ings OF indignation which such acts naturall
create. We, who are the only Legislators for tn
District of Columbia are not informed of thei
wants and wishes in regard to the Legislation
upon this subject. If the people Of this Distrc
require any other laws than they already have
for the purpose of protecting their property a