The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-28
THE REPUBLIC.
which did protect, maintain, and uphold the slave

trade.
Mr. WINTHROP. / take the statement as Q
now makes it. The COMMITTEES appointed by me
reported To this House a bill to abolish the slave
trade in this District, and when motion was made
20 lay the table, six out of the nine members
voted in the negative | think that the bull was add
vocated by an honorable member from Mississippi.
1t was bill assented to by nrrthern and southern
men. Five gentlemen from the North and four
from the slave States composed the committee.
There a hundred and forty members from the
free States and ninety from the slave States The
committee did report the bill; and yet the gentle
withdrawn the word ''sedulous'O of constituting
the committee in such way as TO uphold and
maintain the slave trade And this Is the reason he
assigns for having opposed my election.
Mr.. GIDDINGS. / understand the gentleman 10
say that the committee reported bill to abolish
the slave trade. There stands the fact on record.
pronounce that unqualified and untounded as
serton. The bill only prohibited the bringing of
slaves into the District and did not touch the slave
trade here.
Mr. WINTHROP Whether the bill prohibited
the slave trade in terms, or from bringing slaves
here 10 be sold, not material IL is possible that
the bill did not go far as il ought To have gone
believe that gentlemen from the free States thought
it great improvement, and it was even assented
to by gentlemen from the South say that this Is
at least evidence which ought 10 prevent the gen
tleman from saying that sedulously constructed
the committee so as TO prevent Il bill from being re
u
my ordinary calmncss. may feel at liberty, dur
ing the session, TO say something in reply to the
gentleman from Ohio, (Mr. GIpDINGsD and the
gentleman from Tennessee, (Mr. JoHNsoN.)
Mr.. ROCKWELL showed from the records that
the Committee on the Territories was appointed on
the 10th of December, l84S, but three days before
the resolution introduced requiring them to
report the ordinance of 1857. Gentlemen were
aware that, at the previous session. the committee
reported the territorial bills with this provso; and
vet (
refused neglected 10 report the measure until or
dered by the House.
Mr.. SCHENCK, as an Ohio man, rose to define
his position He replied to Mr.. GIDpINGs, who, he
said did not about consistency, If he could only
arrange to effect certain results His col
league would have been satisfied if he could have
procured secret pledges from the Wing candidate
for Speaker on the eve of the election. he hoped
that he would be excused for looking to the other
side for illustration, (rcferring to Mr. Brown, Of
Indiaua.) There were men at each end, who, I'M
less they can get pledges Of sectional character
will not vote with either side. To refuse to vote Is
disunion. He discaimed the right ofany one, from
the North or the South, to speak for him. He was
a conservative, Unionist, and, as northern
man, entertained northern opinions but not i'll the
extreme degree. He partook of northern habits
and governed by his education and solemn con-
vctions; but he would not take the position, that
because men will not come to him, they shall be
cut off He could conceive OF no danger OF the dis
solution ofthe Union. The President southern,
majority of the Cabinet were southern, and Con-
gress had done nothing to lead to such result; and
he deprecated the threats which have heretofore
been uttered.
Mr.. HOLMES said that there a Jealous emu
latioh among northern men to show, each for him
self, hostility to the institutions of the South.
Mr.. SCHENCK Cinterrupting the gentleman
said that he had remarked that he was resolved
to separate himself from all sectional and local
feelings, and he had stated that he had voted for
northern and then for southern man for Speaker
Mr.. HOLMES said that one thing evident
the representatives OF the entire North had made
sup their minds to restrict the South in the occupa
Yion Of the territories II was also manifest that
they hostile TO slavery in the District of Column
ba and II the power was in their hands, and they
could exercise il, they would destroy that which is
the protection of this government. 1t was supposed
in the South by some, that opposition was confined
to the gentleman from Ohio and his clique; but he
had warned the people that there was not a man in
the North who is not hostile to southern institu-
tons, and would destroy slavery. In view of this,
the South must assume her proper attitude. She
was no longer asleep. Gentlemen should beware,
ere it be too late The debate few days since had
gone hence the wings Of the wind, and the
southern mind fixed and unalterable.
Mr.. KAUFMAN obtained the floor, and moved
the previous question the resolution Of Mr. Burt
authorizing the Speaker TO appoint the commit
tees) He withdrew the motion at the request of
Mr.. GIDDlNGS, who again addressed the House,
and said that the northern Wings were responsible
for the election of Mr.. CoBB TO the Speakership.
He was interrupted several times by Mr.. ScHEScK,
whose conduct in relation TO Mr.. WISTHRoP for
Speaker had been arraigned by Mr.. GIDDINGs.
The last named gentleman was called to order
several times for irreevancy, but he was permitted
to proceed by the courtesy of the House In con
clusion, ne endeavored to show that no confidence
was to be placed in the Wing party. For himself
he stood up for mans inalienabe rights. IL any
one should be punished with death, il was the man
who makes traffic of his own race. He would as
soon vote for Williams Slater, he would for
the men who sustain these individuals in the ac-'
cursed traffic; and before God, his hands would be
as clean and pure in one in the other.
Mr.. JOHNSON, OF Arkansas, after saying that
members had business of private nature TO trans
act for their constituents, 20 give them opportu
nifty of attending 10 it, moved that when the House
adi ourn it be till Monday.
The question was taken and decided in the affirm
alive.
journ.
Mr.. BURT said that, unless the resolution should
now be adopted, the Speaker could not appoint the
committees by Monday and he trusted that the
resolution would now be passed,
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, remarked that the law
of 1889 provided that no business can be done until
a Speaker and members sworn, and a Clerk
elected. The first business is 10 elect Clerk and
then appoint the committees.
The question taken and the House refused 10
adjourn.
The amendment Of Mr.. SAcKErT, 10 elect the
committees, was rejected; and
The resolution of Mr.. Burr, providing for their
appointment by the Speaker, was agreed To-
Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Pennsy vania, offered
resolution that the election Of Clerk and other of
GERS OF the House take place on the third Of January
next.
Pending the consideration of the resolution, the
House, at four O'Clock, adjourned until Monday.