Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-06-16
Congressional.

The debate in Committee Of the Whole, on
the 18th ult., on a bill to pay for a slave. WAS
one OF the most interesting debates Of the
session. The Wdshin2'0n papers contain no
report gil. The following, from the New
York Herald, affords sone idea Of the merits
Of the debate -
TIT House resolved itself into n committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union, Mr..
Sims, of South Carolina, in the chair, and
proceeded TO the consideration of private bu-
siness.
The bill for the relief Of the legal represen-
tatlve of benjamin Hodges, deceased, was
read when
Mr.. Tuck, Of New Hampshire, remarked,
that it involved important results. 1t was a
new principle to pay for slaves as property.
Though numerous attempts have been made,
the principle has never been recognised. We
have no right to take the money OF the nation
10 pay for slaves. The claim has been pen
ding for many years, and it has always re-
ceived the condemnation Of Congress. 1t
has never received the Importance Of a. report
e until now, unless a report against it. If the
people have jurisdiction in aiding and ahet-
ting slavery, they will take jurisdiction in a.
batting and restraining it.
The Chairman.-This being a private bill,
the latitude Of debate is somewhat restricted.
The remarks must be pertinent 10 this parti-
cular claim.
Mr.. Tuck.-I say that the claim should not
be allowed, because 1t recognises slaves as
property and | assert that slaves are not pro-
perty under the Constitution and this is the
decision of the Supreme Court Of the United
States.
Mr.. Burt, of South Carolina.-I desire to
ask the gentleman from New Hampshire,
whether he means that this Committee shall
understand him as saying that the Supreme
Court Of the United States, in the case tC
which he has referred, has decided that slaves
are not property
Mr.. Tuck.-The Supreme Court has deci-
ded that slaves, under the Consultation, arc
not property that slavery is a local, mum
cipal institution and that persons are held as
slaves only in virtue Of local and municipal
regulations.
Mr.. Burt desire to put the gentleman
upon his guard. ] understood him as endea
voring to make the committee believe that tn
Supreme Court of the United States has de
cided that slaves are not property. | as
whether he means the Committee so to un
derstand himl
Mr.. Giddings, Of Ohio.-I wish to say
word. If | can get the floor, ! will maintai
that slaves are not property, by the decisio
vi tuG PupItliIC SOultY anu lIOlI OtlltI iCotl
mony. | will meet the gentleman fror
South Carolina with all frankness on the sub
jecG.
Mr.. Burt.-It is Indifferent to me what III
gentleman may maintain, or what he ma.
oppose. | desire, as a matter of fact, when
member rises in his place, and purports /
read the decisions of the Supreme Court, tn;
the Committee may learn whether he state
one thing or another. as a matter OF fdct-nc
what a gentleman argues or believes.
MIR. Tuck.-I ask the gentleman to appei
to the book. | inform the gentleman that
have made the quotation, word for word, al
comma for comma If there be any contr
versy, | refer the gentleman TO the decisi
itself. ! bear witness that the slavery que
ton has not, at this session, been introduc
by the fanatics as they are called, exec
in self-defence. The most eloquent speech
have been made on this floor, and choi
reading referred to by orators, to omlne
the institution Of slavery to the favorable
tice of the People of the United States. II
fresh TO members of this committee, that,
the resolutions relative to the French Rev
luton, and on the question with regard
the privileges Of this House, out of upwa
of twenty speeches, seventeen were made
vindication of the institution of slavery, {
in casting opprobrium and disgracetul {
thets on those who do not vindicate the in
tuition! J hope the claim will be Withdraw
if not, | trust, on a call for the yeas and ma
it will meet with an emphatic rejection.
repeat, that this Government has nothing
do with slavery. We, of the free Sta
ask to be exempt from the sin and sham,
the institution. | would ask the gentlen
from Virginia Mr.. Baylyl to look at
district, as an illustration Of the blessings
slavery.
The Chairman.-The gentleman must
aware that he is not adhering to the subj
Mr.. Bayly.-l hope, as the gentleman
made a reference to my district, he will
permitted to 60 on.
Mr.. Tuck.-l will, then, only call the
tention to the census of the gentleman's
trict, to show how many can neither read
write.
Mr.. Rhett, of South Carolina, who re
ted the bill under consideration, from
Committee on Foreign Affairs, said
gentleman from New Hampshire totally I
apprehends this case, from beginning to
There is nothing ia it to Justify the rema
which the gentleman made, Grea, Brit