The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-27

and the South can now cordially unite-he
alluded to the colonisation society.
The question was then taken on MIR.
Dayton's motion o strike out the instruc
lions, and it was decided in the affirmative,
The question then recurring on the refer
ence without instructions
Mr.. Mason opposed the reference alto,
geiher. and gave his reasons at length.
Mr.. Jefferson Davis referred to the prac.
tee here Of repenting for other people, and
said that of the clap-raps introduced here
that in regard to the right of petition
was the greatest. There had been no in
reference with the right Of petition. The
right Of petition carried with it the implied
declaration that there were grievances to
remedy, but how were the persons aggrieyed
by whom these abolition petitions from the
North are presented! Ii might be more
appropriate for those who cry out 'good
Cod to say "good devil
II might be we'll for those who cry out
against the institution Of slavery al the South
10 look on the other side Of the picture-to
| their own acts and their own laws in times
gone by. He returned his thanks 10 the
Senator from Illinois for the sentiments
which he had expressed, and concluded with
Almost eloquent appeal to Northern men to
initiate his example and preserve the perma-
neney Of the Union.
Mr.. Butler opposed the reference. He
proposed that it should be disposed Of as all
petitions in reference to slavery have been
hitherto.
Mr.. Berrien considered the petition moth.
ing more nor less than an application TO
Congress to appropriate annually sum Of
money to promote the emancipation OF the
slaves-to encourage slave owners 10 man
unit and send their slaves out of the coun.
Try. In this view Of the case he did not
think that Congress possessed the constitu-
iional power to comply with the prayer Of
The petition.
Mi. Niles also argued that Congress pos
sessed no power TO hold out any such in
ducements-it was 6 subject which belong.
ed exclusively to State legislation.
Mr.. Dickinson, to put an end 10 further
discussion, for The accomplishment Of an
unconstitutional object, moved the indefinite
postponement of the whole subject. On
this motion the yeas and nays were ordered,
and resulted-yeas y, nays 23.
Executive session. Adjourned.
In the House, the roll was called, and
then, after several other motions had been
disposed Of. the consideration OF the motion
to reconsider the vote by which Mr.. Colts
resolution hsd been adopted, some time
since, was resumed The resolution. it
will be recolIected, inStrucls the committee
on the District oil Columbia to bring in
bill prohibiting the slave trade therein,
Mr.. McLane, OF Baltimore, made a very
able speech in favor OF the reconsideration,
and on the general questions involved, Of
which am unable this afternoon to say
more than that he argued that Congress
could do nothing on the subject Of slavery
outside OF the expressed forms Of the con.
Slitution.
lie proclaimed the law OF Maryland, as
now existing. to prohibit the importation of
slaves into that State for sale. The law
was subsequently read at the clerks desk,
to this effect. Mr.. McLane also denoun.
ced the agitation of the abolitionists to ac-
complish that which had already been &C.
complished by the laws Of Maryland.
Mr.. Smith, Of Indiana, defended the
power Of Congress to act positively on
slavery within the district. But he was
opposed to the introduction Of preambles
into resolutions, calculated to infame the
public mind, or the allowing free negroes in
the district to vote on questions like that
involved, Whenever slavery should he
abolished in the district. he was in favor Of
paying the shareholders therein the value OF
their slaves from the public treasury. His
speech also was very able. and in tone very
moderate, though he declared himself de.
cidedly in favor Of the doctrines Of Free
soilism.
The motion to reconsider was then, by
yeas and nays, decided in the affirmative,
119 to "a.
Mr.. Smith, Of Indiana, then moved 10
amend the resolution thus recommended, by
striking out the preamble and all afte, the
word resolved, and inserting instructions to
the committee to inquire and report what
legislation is necessary to prevent the intro
duction Of slaves from any Of the States
into the District OF Columbia. for sale here
or elsewhere, and that they report by bill OF
otherwise.
Mr.. Bolts moved to lay the whole sub
ect on the table, and on this the yeas and
nays were ordered, and it was decided in
the negatively 10 ITO.
Mr.. Meade moved an amendment to the
amendment of Mr.. Smith, providing fol
the recovery of fugitive slaves, but it wa:
ruled out OF order.
Mr.. Smith moved to modify his subs!i
tute for the original resolution, so as to in
strnct the committee TO bring in bill, but
before any action was had on this motion
or on the substitute
On motion, the House adjourned.
| The slave Qsestien,
| Newspapers. both North and South. arr