Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-01-04
Washington CORRESPONDENCE,

WASHINGTON, Dec. Is, 1648
HE BILL OF DOUGLASS AGAIN-BILL REL
ATIvE TO SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF Co.
LUMBIA.'-On motion of Mr.. Douglass, the bill
to organize a State government for California
was called up, for the purpose of reference.
MIR. ID moved its reference to the territorial
committee. Southern Senators were opposed to
such reference but desired its reference to
the Judiciary committee is composed of South.
ern Senators, principally. One from Georgia,
one from Louisiana, one from Florida, and one
from South Carolina, Cutlery Mr.. Douglass
was anxious that it should go to the territorial
committee believing they would report measure
more palatable to all members than the other COM
miIteBright, ofIndiana, thought that the question
could not be settled this Congress, and ought
not TO be. 1t should be left to be disposed of
by the incoming administration, for the reason
that this question had been the promised one in
the late canvass but should members insist on
its settlement noW, he should vote for the motion
of Mr.. Douglass. The Judiciary committee
was not the proper committee, the gentlemen
composing the committee we're Southern gentle
men, and they would moi report bill that would
be acceptable to a majority of the Senators.
Mr.. Bright probably remembers the fate of
his colleague, Hannegan, and he is no doubt
shaping his course accordingly. It is a pity that
these Senators and Representatives from the
free States have not considered before this. the
obnoxious qualities Of their physiognomes. The
people are laying their marks upon doughfaces,
and their representatives at this, the eleventh
hour, are waking up to this fact
The vote was taken on the reference, ana oe.
Ecided in favor Of the Judiciary committee, by
yeas 25, nays 81 strictly Northern and South
ern vote. Mr. Webster few moments before
the vote was taken, left the Senate. Had he
beenpresent and voted with the Northern MEN,
bers, the bill would have been referred to the
territorial committee by the casting vote of the
Vice President. These little matters develop
one important and glazing fact, TINT Southern
Senators are determined to submit to no COM
promises which will in the least degree endanger
their arrogant and pretended rights.
The bill to which made allusion in my last
letter, in regard to submitting the question of
slavery in this District to the people of the Dis
trlct was presented to-day in the House by Mr..
Giddings. The Southern members took the
alarm, and called in many of the Northern Tay-
Tor doughfaces to their aid. A motion was
made to lay the bill upon the table, and with
the votes of these Taylor men, it was carried
Below are the yeas and nays. Mark the Taylor
doughfaces who voted to lay the bill on the ia
Bile. Truman Smith is omong them, They
would sooner sell their birth right for mess Of
pottage, than take any course which will give
offence to the Taylor wings of the South May
the just indignation of an intelligent and in
suited people visit these craven auxiliaries of
the slave interest. There is some excuse, some
pallaton, for the course of man who defends
what maI-education has taught him to believe
his rights-but there can be none for set Of
men who, with consciences fully Informed, and
every motive but sordid self interest directing
to the right, choose in spite of all to follow a
path of meanness and iniquity. By such ready
compliance to the beck of the South, in disre-
gard to the wants, and claims, and feelings, and
expressed views of their own constituency, have
such men as Truman Smith, ]. r. Ingersoll, and
their coadjuators, sunk themselves in depth Oh
political baseness, so deep that scarcely any
werks of repentance can raise them to the dig
nifty of men.