The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-06
THE UNION.



the democratic party was one OF neutrality Let the
wings declare how they stood in regard to this matter.
II they abandoned the provso, (and If they supported
savehoding candidate who refused say what his prin
cples were, they did virtually abandon t lei them say
so at once The democratic party had stated their posi-
ton upon all the great questions affecting the interests or
rights of the people Let the wing party do the same;
and let us have election by exercise OF reason OF
virtue, and intelligence
/ Mr.. BROWN OF Mississippi next addressed the
mee upon the subject OF the powers OF Congress over
the Territories He considered the present proper time
to discuss this subject particularly in view OF the pending
treaty with Mexico, which, ratified, would give to the
United States large amount OF territory, which the
provision with reference TO slavery contained in the
ordinance OF 1857 was proposed to be extended He re-
viewed the history OF the adoption OF this ordinance, lie
then quoted from the third article of the fourth section OF
the constitution OF the United States, TO show that Con
gress has power 10 egsate Tor the territories property
and that the ordinance provision with reference slavery
must be nullty, unless the ordinance held to be
superior to the constitution. The ordinance adopted
terror to The constitution, and superseded by the constu
ton, could not derive support from that instrument He
denounced the Missouri compromise by which the south
gave everything and received nothing II had been con
sdered and treated 80 contract But was contract
without considerations surrender of rights the
part OF the south without conslderationand therefore
void.
He knew not which excited his wonder most--that
the south consented 10 such the first place,
or that the north should be the first violate it. He
proceeded next to reply the gentleman from Maine (r
WILEY) ON this question: who came forward some days
the Jupiter Iondns of the NORTH contendng for the
exclusive right of the north to settle the Territories. Mr.
B. commended tina. the citizens of the southern States still
retain the right to emgrae with their property to any OF
the territories OF the United States They have equal
rights with the north this respect, which, while they
refuse to yield any part Of this right they desire claim
no more than this The people of the south were now
Inhibited from taking their slave property the northern
States but the people OF the north were not prevented
from coming IN and settling in any OF the southern States
with their property The south would be glad to receive
them, and to make shareholders OF them; or, if they
chose to cultivate the rich lands of the south with white
labor, they would still be well received, along with hun
deds OF thousands OF others who have pursued the same
course But if they should persist in their desire to abo
lsh slavery from the country he would suggest to them the
popriety testing their principles by their actso show
ing their faith by their works They might possess them
selves OF slaves, and set them free under the provisions of
law. Not only the law but the justice and morality OF
this question was with the south. He referred to the
derand asked if he should be told that he had right
TO settle with his family in California? Should General
Taylor any other of the gallant southern leaders OF
Mexico, who might desire to emgrate to the new
territories be told to stand back The carrying out of
this system OF oppression would unhnge the constitution
and commit the fate OF this government to the waves OF
popular commotion The south loved the constitution,
but would not submit to oppression.
When Mr.. b. had concluded
Mr. SAWYER said he was about TO take course
which might not be acceptable to all He spoke OF his
anxiety to progress with the business of the session and
deprecated the practice of speaking to questions not in
volvns the matter under consideration, There were
upon the calendar now five hundred bills awaiting the
action OF the House. The general appropriation bills-a
the bills for the payment of revolutionary soldiers, by
way OF pensions and bounty land, still remained Enacted
on; and gentlemen would still persist in wasting the
time of the session by discussing the abstract question of
slavery He called attention, ALSO 10 the fact, that the
present discussion confined to the democratic side of
the House None upon the other side had yet attempted
to get the floor The present discussion opened
by member defending the extreme southern views
on this question; and his speech doubtless destined
to be carried to the north, to be palmed off there the
doctrine of the democratic pary and if Wilmo Pro-
v!so democrat should next succeed to the floor his pro-
viso doctrines would be employed to the dement of his
party at the south. He recommended his friends to
course OF sounder discretion than this and he called the
of his constituents to the fact that for one he
was not willing thus to the time of the House,
whilst the most vital questions of the session remain
ed Enacted on Out of Difference to thecare OF their
be manifested general disposition to adjourn the
hest day practicable What he proposed therefore,
10 postpone this abstract debate till next week Du
ring the time of the Wing National Convention many
wing members would be likely attend and it was not
expected that any business of public importance would be
He proposed that the consideration of the
present bill be proceeded with at once; and let this ah
sraclon be discussed next week This unwarrantable
delay OF important business upon the calendar an
outrage which the world should understand There was
the bill to provide for completing the Cumberland road
In the States OF Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri
first and last on the list the bill to provide for the
protection of our suffering emigrants in Oregon. There
was also the Senate bill amendatoy of the act entitled
AN act granting halfpay TO widows orphans where
their husbands and fathers have died of wounds received
IN the military service of the United States, in OF
deceased officers and soldiers of the militia and voun
teers passed July 4, 1856 besides House bills for the
relief OF the volunteers engaged in the military service for
the relief of the widows and orphans of those who have
fallen in the naval servce the bill for the Improvement of
certain rivers and harbos; and especially the bill for the
removal OF sunken rocks in the harbor of New York-a
these, besides theappropriaon bills loudly demand
ing the action of the House And besides all these there
were still some 500 bills of private and local character
yet Enacted Mr. S. wished to record his in
favor of proceeding with the public business and with
this he moved that the committee rise for the pu
pose of allowing him offer resolution 10 terminate
debate on the pending bill.
Which motion was agreed to.
The committee accordingly rose and reported.
Mr.. SAWYER submitted resolution closing the de-
bate on the naval appropriation bill IN ten minutes after
the House should again go into Committee OF the Whole
on the state of the Union.
Mr.. COBB moved to amend, by substituting Monday
o'clock, for ''tep minutes"
Mr.. MCKAY expressed the hope that the resolution
would be Withdrawn There was no disposition to
tlnue this rambling, and surely gentlemen not pre-
pared to cut off all debate upon the merits of this BILL
which involved appropriations OF millions OF dollars
Mr.. DlCKEY moved to lay the resolution upon the
table, which decided in the affirmative by teers-
ayes 90, noes not counted
The House then again resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole the state of the Union, and resumed the
consideration OF the naval appropriation bill.
Mr.. VINION said there several important amend
mens to be made this bill and if the House into
general debate not upon the merits OF the BILL they
would ultimately be brought to the vote upon these amend
ments without opportunity for discussion. He hoped
the committee would now receive these amendments and
dispose of them, at all events, before continuing gen.
eral, rambling debate.
MIR. SAWYER said such was the sole object for which
he had risen in the first place. AS there gen
eral disposition TO discuss the merits of the BILL he would
forbear any further speech.
hp alal IN hp derafio o( he