The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-01-29
.fron, lllasbinetun.
CONGRESS-.

DENATE.- MT. LASS reSunleu dUu COI-
cluded his remarks. lie opposes the
Wilmot ProviSo At proper time he
would vote aud resign.
Bill for Cumberland Dam. Passed.
A memorial from citizens Of Deseret.
Referred.
Adjourned.
IIousE.-A Joint Resolution for pur-
chasing Hemp Tor the Navy. Referred
A resolution Of inquiry refunding
Vermont monies, expended in maintain
ing neutrality in Canadian diff Guilty
with Great Britain. Adopted.
Mr.. Winthrop moved the reconside-
ration Of the vote laying the message
relative 10 Sir John FrankIin's expedi>
ton on the table, and that it be referred
to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Car
ried.
The House then went in Committee
of the Whole, Mr.. Boyd Chairman.
Mr.. Bayly introduced resolution re-
lerring the Presidents annual message
appropriately.
Mr.. Clingman spoke one hour. lie
would rather see dissolution, rather the
South, like Poland, be under the iron
heel of conqueror, than yield her
rights.
Mr.. Howard, of Texas, followed, sus-
tanning the ultra Southern ground.
On motion of Mr. McClernand, the
Committee rose, and the House ADJOURN
ed.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 23.
SENArE.-Mr. Clay presented me-
mortal in favor Of printing Washington
Farewell Address for dissemination.
Referred.
The Vermont re solutions were taken
up.
Mr.. Phelps proceeded TO address tho Senate.
lie felt it due TO himself and due TO his State TO
vindicate the resolutions and explain his own
position. He had been called upon 10 face
the music" and was prepared TO do so but he
must be permitted 10 say that they played some
very bad music in the Sena,c.-The question
involved in the discussion was one of great and
vital importance i, together with the difficult
ties, jealOusios and discussions which had grown
on; Of it, were the fruits Of military conquesls
the fruits Of the Mexican war-of that policy
which originated in the disposition to extend
the power of this Republic and which threat
ened 10 end in the destruction Of the Union
He referred to bis course on the Compromise
Bill of last session, stating he had stood alone
upon that question, refusing to unite with the
great body of his Northern friends in denoun-
cling the creature of the Senate creation. lie
was told that his cons tiiuonts would not sustain
him. lie would only say, that if this question
which had so long distracted the Union and
threatened it, existence, could have been settled
and settled forever, by the sacrifice Of his posi-
ton, or prospects, as public man, he would
have considered so desirable consummation
most cheaply bought Mr.. Phelps proceeded
to vindicatc the resolutions, although they had
been denounced as dsrespectful, incendiary and
reasonable, with every other epthet which scorn
could suggest. lie was prepared TO assert that
they they were subject to no such imputations.
While they condemned the institution in the
abstract, they also presented in behalf of the
South the very apologies which the South pre-
scented itself for the existence Of the Institution
the first Of which was, that it had been entailed
upon them by those who had gone before them.
lie also contended that the opinions expressed
by the resolutions, of the character of the insti-
tulion in question, arguing and pleading va
rious quotations to show that the most distin-
guishcd men from the South had held and ex-
pressed to effect the same sentiments, The insti-
tuition originated in acts which are now denOun-
ced as piracy, and made punishable with death.
II IT was no crime, why was il thus denounced
and why thus punished The justification
for instituting these penalties was found in the
conviction Of the duty and propriety Of putting
an end to the traffic in Slayes-to shut of the
market. If justified in that act, by what reas-
oning cond they condemn resolutions cbecting
To iptr ~ inf flqrritpriaa
iree-to the opening of new markets lie fur
ther examined the resolutions, discussing the
propositions contained in each, and arguing 10
show that in no respect were they 10 be CON
demned, and that the terms Of opprobrium with
which they had been denounced had resulted
entirely from a hasty misapprehension of those
who had impugned them. lie disclaimed the
assertion, by any one Of his constituents, Of
power by Congress to interfere with the ins;itu'
tons within the States. They all conceded the
negative Of the proposition, while they contend
ed that it was The duly of the National Legis'
lature to relieve The people of she North from
the responsibility attaching TO 1t, in those places
where the Federal Government has jurisdiction
over it.
The report is so incomplete and broken, that
We omit the rest, until we receive the wholel
After an Executive Session, the Sem
ate adjourned.
HousE.-Mr. Strong, from the Com,
mitlee OH Elections, reported resolu-
ton that the testimony be taken before
the State authorities concerning the con-
tested elections in Iowa.
An animated debate ensued between
Messrs. Ashmun and Schenck, in be-
half, fihe conlesting member and Messrs.
Stanton, SIrong. and others. in behalf
Of The sitting member.