The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-19
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
MoNpAy, March IS, 1850.
S ENATE


CLARKE, BoRLASD, and HAMLIS
CHEAP POSTAGE.
Memorials praying reduction Of postage We're
presented by Messrs DAYTos, CLARKE, and DoDeE
Of Iowa.
THE TARIFF.
Mr. STURG EON presented the petition of suAdry
citizens of Pennsylvania, asking an increase of the
duties on iron,
Mr. S. also presented petition from sundry cit
izens of Pennsylvania, praying that Congress will
b. provide governments for the Territories without
the Wilmot proviso; and that Congress will never
abolish slavery in the District of Columbia without
the consent of the States of Maryland and Virginia
PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS.
Mr. UNDERWOOD corrected some statements
made by him on Friday last during the debate on
the BILL in relation to the action OF the CEN
sus board in connexion with the printing OF the
schedules
THE wiSSEBAGo INDIANS.
Mr.. ATCHISON, from the Committee on Indian
Affairs reported a Joint resolution, directing the
payment of twelve thousand dollars To the Winnie
bago Indians And after an explanation Of the joint
resolution by Mr. BELL, il was read third time,
and passed
Several reports on private bills were made from
several committees
Mr. BALDWIN submitted the following resolu-
ton, which lies over
Resolved That the Committee Commerce be
directed TO inquire whether any legislation by Con-
grcss is necessary to afford to the colored citizens Of
any State who may, in the prosecution OF their law
States, protection in the enjoyment of their prvi-
leges and mmunties of citizens guaranteed by
the Constitution of the United States
Mr. DAWSON submitted the following, which
was adopted
Resolved That the Board of Census be requested
to communicate TO the Senate the report of their
contracts to procure paper suitable for taking the
and statistics; the number of pages of the
tables and schedules already printed; also, when
the tables and schedules completed by the board
and what alterations or additions have been made
said tables and schedules since the s day of Jan
uary last and that they report any other facts known
10 them which may enable Congress to act under
standingly on the census bill Now before the Senate
MIR. YULEE submitted resolution, which
adopted directing an inquiry into the expectancy
of providing for the payment Of losses sustained by
John 5. Humans and others by reason OF Indian
Mr. JONES submitted resolution, which was
adopted. directing an inquiry into the expcdiency
Of establishing various rnail-routes IN the State Of
Iowa.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
Of Mr.. CLAWS
COMPROMISE RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. BADGER said that his intention was TO speak
his sentiments plainly and decidedly bat still with
desire to encourage the deepest feelings of com
promise and Cancellation He agreed with all that
bad been said upon the mpossibty Of peaceful
dissolution of this Union. Such thing was i'm
possible, and, the Senator from Kentucky had
said, war was the necessary consequence of any
dissolution Of the Union Extracts from the Fed
srdist TO the certain events which would follow
dissolution Of the Union read, to show that the
circumstances which would in such case provoke a
war had not been altered, but rather increased by
the time which had elapsed since the Fed eraIis was
written Was there any thing in the present or
the future tending TO show that upon the action OF
Congress depends any danger 70 the Union. Every
man who attends to public affairs, who witnesses
the proceedings in Congress and elsewhere, must
that this Union, though incapable of peaceful
dissolution, yet may become convulsed, and by a
revolution dismembered. Under these circumstan-
ces, their conduct should be governed by the same
prudence and care, which is applied by every man
10 his private affairs when apprehensiye OF dan
ger, and every man should turn his attention to
those measures calculated to prevent evil results
From what did this danger to the Union arise
II Inust be admitted that it not for the exist
of slavery in certain States OF this Union, none
Of the present difficulties would exist.
The Senator from New York Mr. SEwARD) had
taken the ground that slavery was opposed by the
principles Of Christianity, and no man was bound
10 sustain il. Mr.. b. then read from several por-
tons OF the Bible TO show that before the coming
the Saviour, and under the Christian dispensation
slavery was recognised, respected, and maintained
and contrased the force Of the scriptura quotations
with the different grounds upon which the alleged
Sinfulness OF slavery was maintained.
He next defended the laws and judicial decisions
Of the State Of North Carolina the subject o
slavery and slave criminals, from several attacks
made upon them in the House Of Representatives
during discussion Of the slavery question.
He proceeded, with great detail, 10 the consider
alton OF the fugitive slave question. He recaptu-
lated the proceedings Of the Congress which passed
the act Of 1893 and slso the proceedings In the con-
vention which framed the Constitution. upon this
particular point; contending that it the under
standing Of the members Of the convention, and
Of those who passed the act Of 79S that the States
were 20 carry out the measures necessary Tor the
restoration Of fugitive slaves.
Mr.. b. dwelt with great force upon the feeling
created At the South by the total avoidance OF this
constitutional provision by the northern States. lie
led 40 mi
SEwARD 10 the fugitive slave bill, which amend
ments propose 10 give the arrested fugitive the right
Of trial by jury, appeal, writ OF error, &ci and con
tended these amendments would operate most Ell
fectually TO defeat the recovery Of any fugitive
slave, and defeat the constitutional provision itself
This amendment WIS however, nothing more thar
the result Of the sentiments expressed by the Sen
atOr from New York, who maintained that be re-
cognised higher authority than the Constitution
tie considered that any man who, elected 10 any
office, was compelled 20 swear 10 support the Con
stitution, and who did 20 with determination q
disregard any part Of it, acted most improperly
n his conscience did not allow him 10 support The
Constitution, he should resign his Office.
Mr.. BERRlEN suggested that If the Senator
would give way, be would move an adjournment.
Mr.. BADGER consented, and the subject was
postponed nll to morrow at one O'Clock
ns. JAMES BUcHAShS.
Mr. KING said that, in the National IntsiIigsncs'
Of the 10th instant, appeared report II debate N
the Senate the l4th, in which the following ap.
pthfhs
mir. SEWARD. The Senator addresses qucs
ton 70 me. / rise for the purpose Of answering IT,
and other purpose. ] think u was Jefferson
who said that the natural ally 81 slavery in the
South was thu Democracy VI the North.
MIR. HALE. X Mr.. Buchanan who said
80"
lie would ask the senator from New Hampshire
(Mr. HALE) when il was, and where Il was, that
Dir. Buchanan ever used such language. Mr.. Bio.
chanan had repeatedly declared that the strongest
fricnds Of die South were the northern Democracy
because they would stand by the Constitution.
Mr. HALE said be had not the document before
him " which 60 refer. But Ia day two be
hoped 10 satisfy the Senator that the sentiment bad
been uttered II not IN the precise, IN similar Ian
griage by Mr.. Buchanan
Mr.. KING aid the Senator could not point 70
any passage in any speech Of Mr.. Buchanan or in
any document emanating from him, that contained
the sentiment uttered by the Senator from New
York and attributed 10 him by Mr. wEBsTEn. Hc
(Mr. K.) did not bear the remark AT the time il
was made, or he would have cOntradcted IL then
Mr. Buchanan had repeadly said that the north
ern democrats would prove Themselves always tru,
90 the Constitution and thus prove themselves ths
best friends 10 the South Beyond this he never
had gone.