Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-09-14

i
The pententiay any person who shall commit larceny Of
slave Of any owner in the District of Columbia Can any
one tell me why ne who is guilty Of stealing negro should
not be punished equally with who steals any other per
sons property of equal value As between the master and
slave, the slave has personal rights but as between the
master and the world large in regard to the slave the
mas as absolute right over him as over other
perry OF which ne be the under the laws of the
land This is the distinction at which desire the learned
Senator to look The personal rights Of slave are as be-
tween the master and the slave But between the master
and the whole community in reference the slave, the mas
ter has precisely the rights him he has over any
other description of property which be may lawfully hold
under the laws OF the land. Why ask. In the name Of
common sense n the Of all that 10 night and just
aI 'nis description Of property SHOULD be taken from It's
owner without subectng the party taking TO the penal
es % which ne would be subject he stole any other descp-
uon 2, property My object in rising to make the
marx which have made in reference 10 the sentiment ex
pressed by the Senator from Connecticut was pleased 10
near MN say that he intended vote against the amendment
| and trust it will not be adopted.
mr. MAsuN. ! am exceedingly reluctant to transgress
any rule OF the Senate But confess have great diff
Guilty IN choosing between the propositions now pre
sened The Senate having refused to strike from the bill
that which relates to the slave trade within this Distinct
look upon the proposition of the Senator from New York az
only eectng directly what the other however intended
must effect indirectly One the whole cord Inc other
cuts one sran merely shall be loss how to vote on
| the two propositions.
Mr.. CHASE. Mr. President, it seems to ma m. /.
great deal OF feeling has been exhibited in this chamber
which the circumstances hardly seem to warrant
we have bill before US which provides for the abolition
OF the slave trade in this District II has been corrective said
by the Senator next (M MAsoS) that this is stem
towards the abolition of slavery itself and gentlemen deceive
themselves if they suppose is the last STEP For one Mr.
PRESIDENT am prepared to act upon the principles avow
am prepared TO act now as well as at any other time. I
shall not seek TO myself from voting proposition
which commends itself my judgment the ground of time
or place. or circumstances the District slave trade abo-
its original FORM should have been glad to give nv SUD-
port But has been altered by the addition Of provisions
which, IN my Judgment not right in themselves or ger
name to the general object.
One Of these provisions dsnounces protracted impson
ments in the penentay for which have been hitherto
punished in this District only by pecuniary Inuct and which,
10 my Judgment should never they as violave
OF the rights OF property gentlemen Of the slave States con-
tend be punished by penalties cannot consent
with the Senator from Connecticut for wrong mea-
here in the hope that may be amended elsewhere by
striking out the Objectionable provisions Measures which
vote must commend themselves to my judgment and nv
conscience For measures which do commend them
selves to me, cannot vote. The Senator from New
York has proposed an amendment II is, in my iudg-
ment better than the BILL does not my views in all
respects cannot be expected that proposition embrace
ing several provisions shall be acceptable in all respects to all
those who may yet feel themselves bound for as an
amendment to another proposition repeat that in nv
Judgment the proposed amendment is better than the bill as
It now stands. proposes TO do directly and at once what
the bill proposes TO take the first step in doing nothing
unconstitutional in the mode by which it proposes reach
its object do not like the provision for compensation or
that which makes its operative effect depend upon the vote Of
the inhabitants Of the District But do not feel myself at
liberty withhold my from the amendment on account
of these objections.
Gentlemen tell us if adopt this amendment it will dis
solve the Union Sir the Union has stood many Shocks and
will, believe, stand this, if this be a shock at all.
We told ALSO that gentlemen advocating the amend
ment or the general line of policy indicated by this amend
men because they have the talent or character which
would enable them to rise in the old party organizations Of the
country Sir if am to judge by specimens have seen
Of the representation OF those organizations in high place.
requisites to advancement through their favor Sir see
Of high talent and high character many stations and
Of all parties see Of little character and little alentin
all parties also. But using reproaches myself shall
permit in the least from the course mark
out for myself trust they will deter man from pursuing
the plain line Of his duty repeat, will for the amend
ment because believe to be better than the bill, and be-
the BILL as 1t stands, receive my vote
Mr.. BUTLER. Mr.. President am one Of those who
feel very much in doubt how this natter because
it very obvious that there great many who will
against this amendment for the that they gauge
yes, sir, use the word "gauge, our legislation SO
to make operate gradually but in effect looking the
end And is very obvious that will vote against
this amendment upon the ground that il would be ex-
pedent to take another form of eecng the same object
With this knowledge before me, do not choose to allow
myself to he blinded to results. And sir when the tone of
public sentiment at the North bear it. they will carry you
to that result.
Mr.. FOOTE. Mr.. President, do not believe that there
member Of this body who capable Of acting the part
suggested by the honorable Senator from South Carolina
(Mr BuTLER. believe that this body may be well divided
into two classes of which classes the honorable Sena-
from Ohio r CHAsE) and the honorable Senator from
New York (Mr SEwAnD) proud of being attached.
Nearly all the remaining Senator'S opposed any egs
ton for the abolition of slavery this District trust il
have no evidence to the contrary should re-
get very much believe, with the honorable Senator that
such indirect that which he describes has been
harbored in the mind Of any Senator here and likely
be pursued by him or hereafter s,"
Sir should be very much pleased indeed to vote for this
bill was exceedingly anxious to vote for it. Accordingly,
proposed amendments with the view of enabling
to do believe that the bill in its present form, without
any amendment not only well intended, but well
ceved But perceive, and others. think, will perceive
that ingenious men have already, to some extent made
Judgement upon the public mind in regard it and dishonest
editors and intriguing politicians have so illuminated this
South And apprehend its adoption, without amendments
particularly after what has occurred this morning. would at
the present Time extent awaken discomfort in the
South. Believing that would be the effect and being oppos
cd to awakng that feeling in any quarter of the Union
shall be compelled most reluctantly and panfuly-if vote
at ALTO vote against the bill.
At the time, Mr.. President while thus frankly de-
clare my views feel bound in addition, say that re-
cognse and consider this proposition Of the Senator from
Ohio (Mr. CHAsE) proposition to dissolve the Union
wish observe the rules Of parliamentary order decorus
wish say nothing in unkudness nothing in dcourtesy,
the Senator seems to act with great consistency and have
risen for the purpose Of repehendng him. but feel bound
to declare that consider this proposition dissolve the
Union No in the world can doubt that any attempt
now, the part Of the Congress Of the United States
abolish slavery ia the District of Columbia, if successful,
would dissolve the Union And attrbung to the honorable