Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-03-26
Th.ty-First CongreSS---First Session.
Senate.


law TO colured seamen, protection from I'M
pressment, &c. in the ports which they
NAV enter in the prosecution OF their bu-
siness.
Mr.. Badger then addressed the Senate
on Mr.. Claws resolutions, taking ground
tina, union should be the first and highest
consideration with patriots. He denied
the possibility of peaceful dissolution;
defended certain attacked Judicial deci-
s;ons in North Carolina, and urged the
MASSAGE of the fugitive slave bill tie
denounced the doctrines of Mr.. Seward s
speech, and declared his profered amend
ments TO the fugitive slave bill, as an IN
direct effort to carry out his theory OF a
law being above the constitution: With
out concluding, the Senate went into exc
cu,iye session and then adjourned.
On Tuesday MIR. Mason, from the
Committee on the District of Columbia
reported bill to enable the corporation OF
GEORGETOWN, in the District OF Columbia
10 con,ruct certain public works IN that
town. and the bill was considered and
The Senate proceeded then 10 the consld-
Grafton of Mr.. Clay's compromise resolu-
tons. H.
Mr.. Badger resumed his speech. ne
erom;ned The provisions of Mr.. Seward
amendmen Mt 10 the fugitive slave BILL ana
explained the bill, which was reported
from the Committee on the Judiciary
He pronounced Mr.. Stewards amendment
miscbieyous, inconsistent and absurd.
He was now, and always had been IN
favor Of the Missouri Compromise line,
but he would adopt anything that was
honorable. If that line were adopted
now, he believed no more territory
would ever be acquired.
He was of the opinion that Congress
had the power to pass the Wllmot froVl-
no, but he believed the exercise of that
power would be wrong, and most insult
ing to the South. He denounced all Vio-
lence on this question. But if Congress
should no, pass a proper bill for the re-
covery of fugitive slaves, and should pass
the Wilmot Proviso, the meeting OF the
Nashville Convention under these clrcum-
stances, would, in his opinion, "be the
beginning of the end"-or In other
words, would be the commencement OF
series of actions, which would inevitably
result in disunion. ,.u
All he asked was the fugitive slave bill
should be passed; and the "ilmot PROVE
90 be forever put down. and then he
would consent to the admission OF Gail
foruia and TO the abolition of the slave
trade in this District. He had hopes that
a happy result would be attained. lie
had confidence in many great men VINO
had spoken on this subject, and ne
thought, despite the gloomy signs OF Inc
times, that Webster's motto, " Union ana
Liberty now and forever, one and insePa-
rabie," would become the motto OF the
nation.
Mr.. Hale then took the floor, and COM
menced reply TO Mr.. Calhoun but had
not concluded when the Senate ADJOURN
ed.
On Wednesday after the presentation
of petitions, &C., the Senate proceeded 10
the consideration of MIR. Clay's comPro'
mise resolutions.
MIR. Hale concluded his remarks. He
reviewed various portions of MIR. Cal
boun's speech, and replied to and contro-
verted nearly all of its positions. He ex-
amined and opposed the fugitive slave
bill. now before the Senate. He consld-
cred it as the most dangerous measure
1t was bill to deprive men OF their Tree
dom, without the right of trial by jury.
For such bill he would never vote; he
would prefer disunion TO its passage
He believed it could never pass Con
cress. He believed the sentiments he
uttered ON this were the sentiments otthe
North.
The subject was postponed till Tues
day next, Mr.. Chase having the floor.
The census bill was then taken up, and
considered in committee of the whole.
An amendment to take the business
from the Home Department was offered
and rejected, and then the Senate adjourn
ed.
On Thursday Mr.. Miller and Mr.. Sc
ward presented petitions in favor of gran
ting a trial by jury to fugitive slaves.
Mr.. Foote presented resolutions Of the
legislature of Mississippi on the subject
of slavery, Wilmot proviso, &c; and took
occasion to yidicate the Southern Con-
vention from animadversions of the Ma
tional Intelligencer, and to state that the
people of Mississippi were unanimous IN
favor of the convention.
The Senate resumed the consideration
OF the resolutions offered by MIR. Bradbu-
ry, calling on the President for charges
against office oldersremoved since ne
4h Of March last.
Mr.. Smith addressed the Senate at