Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-09-05

CSF During the agitation of the slavery question
in Congress- the State Sentinel has been governed by
what has been conceived to be high and holy duty,
in defending the men of both parties in Congress,
who have been active in their endeavOrs to settle the
whole question. We have said more about rromi-
ncnt wings who have taken an active part, than we
otherwise would, because neighbor of the Jour-
nal, at the outset, took ground against the whole
natter and was content with nothing but the admis-
sion of California and onaction with regard to every
thing else. That paper, though still wishing to be
considered as defender OF any thing the President
does yet has not the nerve to come out manfully in
the present crisis for fear of offending some ofits abo
lition patrons. We are reioiced that other papers
who defended non-action, waking up to a sense
of their duty, and have hopes that sleepy
neighbor may be arouSed or, if he is afraid TO speak
out that whg will feel it to be his duty to re-
spond to the following sentiments OF correspondent
Of the Cincinnati Gazette the oldest whig paper in
Ohio, and which fully endorsed by the editors of
that paper. The writer alluded to says:
There may be here and there in Congress whose
strong enough execute what his con-
science approves bat the great body Of northern
made OF sIerner stuff Such cowardy spirits these
marpots and mischief makers may invegle, with false
pretenccs by threats; but for the part
they will he laughed to they deserve be.
agitafors have too long held malign influence over
Congress- and directed its legislation for evil And il
the conservative, intelligent men of the nation do not
determine to trample down and crush them it is time
to despair OF the Repnt No question of eNpedency
should prevent this, fear of loss this that
party should be weighed for instant. For one had
the wing party dsbanded forever than that it
should Weld inch aboiitionsts or disunionsts
II we cannot have National party, based National
Objects and designed to promote National prosperity,
party in which sectonalism shall be tolerated, in
Gods name let have party at all. And this, my
firm conviction is will he II 1t Is not already the
prevailing sentiment among moderate men of both par
lies i'm all sections
What curious had almost said disgraceful, spec
ace presented to us by the present posture of affairs
in Congress. While southern wings and southern demo-
Gratis have, in spirit of manlness-t may prove SELF
sacrifice, which cannot be too earnestly applauded
come forward in the face of angry and ycions oppo
stion among their constituents aid in the admission
of CALIFORNIA; while of their stamp have babe def
disunonists and inculcate by voice and action
peace and harmony and conciliaton-Northern men,
needless of every thing, stubbornly pressing
ures which, successful, must prove their destruction.
Again. while these men are striving by all means in
their power, with the aid OF the conservative of the
North quiet this fearful agitation. find those
clamorous for the admission of California orticih - in
happy union with southern demagogues who CRY for
secession and resistance in the event of her admission
straining every to defeat the boundary bl and
thus indirectly to defeat California. Let the country
ponder these things and apply the remedy.
The bill for tho reclamation Of fugitive slaves has been
under discussion in the Senate all Of this week From
the votes which have been taken upon propositions o
that character it is highly improbable that the right o
habeas corpus trial by jury will be granted the fug
tive when arrested. Certainly the indications that
bill with such provisions cannot in any contingency
pass the Senate. A very important amendment moved
by Mr. Pratt, of Maryland which in effect to make
the United States liable for the vauc of slaves whenever
the commissioners provided for in the BILL should refuse
to deliver them ups proof of property having been salts
lactorily made, debated yesterday and today and
finally lost by vote of twentyseven in the affirmative
to ten IN the negative. The amendment OF Judge I'M
derwood a substitute for the b which guarantees
trial by jury in the State whence the fugitive escaped
whenever he shall declare before the commissioners al
the time OF his arrest, that he is freeman, and which
compels the claimant give security in thousand
dollars that the fugitive shall be taken before some
court of competent jurisdiction" the first term after
his return to the State, to try that issue, pending
From cursory examination Of the proposed substitute
should think 1t would secure signal and exact justice
all parties, and should with general approval
The probability of its passage is another question