The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-12-25

HOUSE REPS Dec. 81, 1913
SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. The
call of the States for Resolutions being in order, Mr.
Got of ~ Y. offered the following Resolution, and
moved the previous question thereon
Whereas, The traffic in human beings as chattes
prosecuted within This Metropolis OF the Republic is
contrary TO naul justice 10 the fundamental principle
of our political system, aud is notorious reproach TO
our country throughout Chrslendom and serious him
drance TO the progress OF Republics Liberty among the
Nations of the earth Therefore,
Resolved, That the Committee on the Dstric of CO.
umoia be instructed 10 bring in, practicable
bull prohibiting the Slave Trade in said Dictrct.
motion made that the Resolution do lie on the
table, and taken folows-yeas 80, nays S. So it
not laid on the table.
The question then REQUIRED tbepassage of the Res
oniiou, and, the main question having been ordered by
the House, and the yeas and nays demanded the reso>
luton passed by Yeas SO, Nays 81.
On this decision, Mr. Greeley says:
" The scene in the House was of course one of
deep excitement, but there was very little buster
and no lndecorHm. On one two divisions, the
leading ultra-Slavery men commenced by declin-
ing to vote, but they generally had their names
called again, and answered before the decision
was announced Mr. Colt had taken the precau-
ton to move the Previous Question when he intro
duced his resolution, and, this being sustained by
the house, no debate upon it was in order, and of
course 1t could not be thrown over by Offering to
debate it. An attempt was made to have call
OF the House, but decided not in order, since the
Previous Question had been ordered But Mr.
HARRISON OF Ca, moved that it do lie on the table,
and on this motion the Yeas and Nays were Or
dered and taken, it was lost. cry now arose.
'Let the Southern members withdrawn but saw
them hpe Tho
order the Main Question to be now put, the yeas
and nays were Every unusually and absurdly)
called on this; but many of the Slavery united
with the Anti lavery men in the affirmative,
ana 1t prevailed by large vote. Now came the
question, Shall the Resolution pass p and the
Yeas and Nays were demanded from all sides
with entire unanimity. The prevalent feeling
evlnced was one OF deep seriousness and earnest
resolution think the House is not often so still
during call OF the Yeas and Nays. The fact
that no similar proposition had ever prevailed,
rendered 1t apparently an even chance that this
would be defeated until very near the close Of
the call. Several members who did not answer
when called in their order asked to be called al
the close. All who were within the bar when
their names were originally called are entitled ia
vote at any time before the result is announced
The result was announced by the Speaker, break.
ing GREATNESS silence. Mr. Holmes of S. C
the Taylor and Butler party in the House (havine
been Federalist OF the School of '9S, jackson
man OF '28, Nuli6er of '32, for Polk and Texa.
In IA, and now for Taylor and Butler,) who usu
ally leads the advanced guard of Slavery, but who
had not been in his seat until now, rose aud crieC
out, Let the Southern members retire = but
believe he alone retired. 1t is true, however
that many were deeply excited, and that some
were grleved, TO whom | would not Willingly
give pain. Some would have had less objection
to the Resolution without the preamble other
considered that the better part of the whole A
all events, What is writ is writ