The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-04-17
CONGRESSIONAL.

ieeoilsiueTallon OF the vote OF yesterday upon
the French congratulatory Resolutions. His
motive was speech, of course, upon this Rev
olutlon, and upon kindred topics at home
lie avowed the doctrine that despotisms might
exist in the form or name Of free institutions.
lie meant Slavery, but meant by this speech
to say something in reply to the member from
Va. (Nlr. Bayly.) Mr.. P. reminded that gen
tleman, that though Massachusetts was by no
means, perfect commonwealth, she was not
too old to learn. as he feared Virginia was.
Mr. Bayly wished to know whether Massa-
chusetts allowed colored men to sit in the Jury
box.
Mr.. Palfrey said he did not know, but there
was nothing prohibiting it. The selectmen of
Massachusetts could put such names among
those selected if they wished. But the time
had been, he believed, when colored man was
elected to the Legislature of Massachusetts,.
Mr.. Bayly. Did he take his seat.
Mr. Palfrey believed not. Perhaps the man
was modest. and did not like to take his seat
in body where all were Of different color.
Would the gentleman like to have his seat in
a legislative assembly composed entirely of
black men? Immense laughter.
Mr. Pallrey went on to show what Massa-
chusetts had done in this matter, and defend.
ed her liberal measures towards the colored
population of the State. Many of these we're
worthy men, and some of them were wealthy
and intelligent men. Among these he had
the pleasure of afiixing the seal of Massaehu-
sets, as Secretary of State, to one of the col
ored men claiming to be admitted to the bar.
lie assured the gentleman from Virginia, if he
should come before this magistrate, that he
would be treated with marked courtesy and
kindness. He had SON attending high
xvht oil - f,on 11ao II
| and whites and if his son would treat any
one, not of his own color with less respect
than others, he should feel less affection for
him than he now entertained.
Mr., Johnson of Tenn, wished to know if he
Mr.. ?. would allow one of these black boys
to be welded to his daughters
Mr. Paltrey said he should introduce no one
to his family who was not agreeable to them,
/, 9nd the defence OF principle of liberty, did
not suppose that he should be required to
change the social relations of his own family.
The gentleman might ask much more import
ant and difficult questions than this.
Mr.. Bayly rose to reply. lie did not mean
to say anything unkind to the gentleman
whom, tor his courtesy of manner and great
propriety of conduct, he esteemed. but whose
sentiments We're most abhorrent. Mr.. b. COM
mented with some severity upon the Massa-
chusetts law. which did not allow her State
officers to provide for the rescue of fugitive
slaves.
There was quite running debate upon this
topic, from which it appeared that Pennsylva-
MA bad done precisely the same thing as Mas
sachusetts. There was much comment upon
the celebrated law Of '93, and the Constitu-
tional power in regard to fugitives from labor,
Mr., .Bayly argued these questions Just half
| way, leaving out all the matter material to the
other side
Mr. Ashmun spoke of the overbearing and
insolent manner Of the gentleman from Vir-
I ginia, of his arrogance and superciliousness of
temper. He should not reply in any such
spirit, but would administer a rebuke to the
gentleman for the manner in which he address
sed the House. And Mr.. Ashmun, in good
taste, good temper, and even great good hui
NOR, did administer his rebuke. have heard
nothing better in the House for a long, long
| time.
Mr.. Giddings was allowed to explain the
law of 1898, and to define and defend it, at
some length,
Mr.. Arhmnn reminded the Southern mem
bers how Massachusetts, men had been treated
in Carolina, Louisiana, and elsewhere. They
We're imprisoned, punished, maltreated and
their owners compelled to pay the cost of this
illegal punishment. They would not even al
low the validity of the constitution to be tried
upon this point-of debate.
Mr.. Bayly of Va, was permitted to rejoiE
in few words, and the debate was now upon
personal topics, though comparatively calm.
In regard to the colored citizens of Massa
chusetts Imprisoned at the South the act
was defended ont and out
The fight run from Massachusetts into Nr
ginia. The Virginia delegates We're all APP
pealed to by Mr.. Bayly, to endorse him, and
their silence was to be constructed into an APP
proyal whether they had heard him or not.
Mr.. Pendleton of Va, was not willing thus
to endorse in the dark, and said, not having
heard, he could not approve or disapprovc.
Mr. Bayly, in much temper.-Then there
was no occasion for YOU TO rise.