The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-11
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE GALPHlN CLAIM.
The SPEAKER stated that Mr. McLANAHAN, a
member Of the select committee on this subject,
would necessarily be absent from the city for few
days, and had asked to be excused from serving
on the committee.
Mr.. BURT moved that the gentleman be
cused, and that another be appointed in his place
The motion was agreed to.
The SPEAKER lat a subsequent period) said
that he had received a letter from Mr.. GENTRY,
stating his inability TO attend either the sessions Of
the committee of the House, and requesting To
be excused from serving as a member of the COM
mittee.
Mr.. BURT (the chairman) regretted the neces-
sity which had induced the application; but he
must yield to the request of Mr.. GENTRY, ask that
he be excused, and that the vacancy be filled by
| the appointment Of another member.
The motion was agreed TO.
lin the course of the day the Speaker appointed
| Mr.. Jon MANN, of Pennsylvania, and Mr.. BREcK,
Of Kentucky, members OF the select committee, in
| the places Of Messrs. McLAsAHAN and GENTRY,
who were excused from serving.l
PENSIONS.
The SPEAKER announced the business in order
10 be a report from the Committee Revolutionary
Pensions, explanatory Of certain acts passed in
July, Is4S, and February, ls49, granting five years
half pay widows and orphans where their hus-
bands and fathers have died Of wounds received in
the Mexican war, and constituting the acts TO en-
brace the widows and orphans of all persons who
have died while in actual service, going TO
returning from the same; and also the widows and
orphans Of all those who have been honorsbly dis
charged or, having resigned, shall have died after
the passage OF the last mentioned act, or who may
hereafter die of wounds received diseases con-
raced in the service Of the United States; provided
the army roll showing death shall be sufficient evil
/ dcnce 10 establish the fact.
The House refused 10 refer the bill TO the Com
| mittee Of the Whole on the state Of the Union.
| Messrs. WALDO, THOMPSON Of Mississippi,
sACKETT, and vENABLE briefly explained their
/ Mr.. JOHNSON, OF Arkansas, said that for
month there had been regular call for reports Of
committees. Nearly the entire time Of the House
had been consumed in the general debate. The
hemp resolution had occasioned much discussion,
and the joint resolution now before the House was
| likely 10 occupy much attention. Being an1
ious that there should be call Of committees and
the Transaction Of some business, he moved the pre-
vious question, and hoped that the House would
sustain him in IL.
The demand for the previous question was Sc
conded; and, under its operation, the joint resou-
ton ordered TO be engrossed for a third read
\ ing.
| table-yeas 50, nays 76
Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi, desired TO re-
commit the bill, with instructions, and was pro
ceeding TO give his views, when he yielded for a
motion that the House resolve itself into a Commit
tee Of the Whole on the state Of the Union, which
| prevailed.
Mr.. JONES was called TO preside over the com
| mittee and they resumed the consideration OF
the Presidents special message, enclosing a copy
Of the constitution Of the State Of
A
| Mr.. ROSS, Of Pennsylvania, maintained that
Congress has the constitutional power estab.
lish prohibit slavery in the Territories. Even II
Congress had the power, IL would be unvise, in.
! eEpedient, and highly improper 10 exercise IL.
Twelve Of the thirteen original States which en-
tered into the Union tolerated slavery, and yet
do not find that they surrendered any power on the
| subject 10 the General Government. The Consti-
tuition recognises property in slaves, and has guar
antied protection TO that well as 10 other proper
| ty; therefore, there IL power 10 destroy II. II
vss an undeniable principle that whatever States
may do 10 their sociaI system, be done by
the people Of the Territories. Pennsylvania and
other free States may reorganize their social sys-
tenn and adopt slavery. If 50. what power is there
/ to prohibit, by Congress, slavery in the Terrific
ries; lie could vote for no bill which prohibits or
recognises slavery North or South Of any line. lie
stood on the broad, constitutional platform Of
INTERCHANGEABLE only platform on which the rights
security, and Independence Of the States can rest
The day for shifts and expedicnts has long since
passed. We must meet tho question on broad
constitutional grounds. Since the passage Of the
has progressed alarmngly. lie repeated, he wa
In favor OF meeting the question the broad
: constitutional ground, namely, that Congress ha'
no right 10 legislate with reference TO slavery
Maintain this, and il will do more than any thing
/ beside 10 quiet agitation.
He proceeded 20 show the extent and the dangcr
Of sectional divisions, and alluded 10 the contes
for the election Of officers Of the House, growing
out OF the slavery excitement. He appealed 10 IN.
North whetheri IL was not time 10 pause, and sckeC
, the Democrats 10 say how long those Of each sec
, ton shall look upon one another enemies; ans
he invoked them 70 calculate the value Of the Union
not in dollars and cents, but in spirit Of patriot
ism, which establishes the value Of union by III
blessings which IL confers mankind, and vii
|. confer ON generations yet unborn. He gave hi
, objections 20 the admission Of California; one Q
which was her area equal 10 four times that {
Pennsylvania. He replied 10 his colleague, (mf