The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-11

had placed his objections 10 the amendment, not
on the ground that IL contained any thing he did
not approve of-not that Congress had no power 10
do the act-nor upon the ground that he was op-
posed to the object Of the amendment but the SEN
ator opposed the amendment because this was not
the proper time-because this inauspicious
moment! Now that Senator believed that the South
had been excluded from every inch of territory
quired from Mexico, and he thinks that that is suf
hcient for the present. The Senator believed that
the southern States would acquiesce in what had
been done, and when all was settled and quiet then
he would bring forward this proposition That
would be the suspicious time The Senator seemed
to think that this proposition, together with what
had already been done, would be too large dose
at one time TO force the South.
Mr. DAYTON said that he voted on all occa.
sions according to his own Judgment. He denied
that the Senator from Missouri had any right, by
inference or otherwise, to state how he mr.. d.
would vote or act upon any future occasion. When
ever the occa sion did arise he hoped that he would
be found prepared to vote as his Judgment might
dictate.
Mr.. MASON asked if the rules did not require
every Senator to vote!
The PRESIDENT replied in the affirmative.
Mr.. MASON said that he was at loss which TO
choose-the amendment or the bill The one pro-
posed to do thing directly and openly, the other
indirectly. The one proposed TO cut the whole
cord; the other to cut single strand.
Mr.. CHASE said that gentlemen were correct in
supposing that the bill now before the Senate was
step towards the abolition of slavery in the Districts
and they must not deceive themselves in surprising
it TO be the last step. He would have been willing
II
mttee, but owing to the amendments which had
been made, he could not now vote for it. When
principles were involved he never hesitated as to
now he should vote. When proposition came be-
fore him involving principle which he avowed, he
was ready to vote for 1t at any time and under any
circumstances. The amendment of the Senator
from New York was preferable to the bill, and he
was prepared to vote for it. II had been said that
this proposition was effort by party composed
of men who could never attain respectability and
reputation in either of the two great parties He
saw men in all parties who were highly respectable
and had great abilities, and he also men rise in
all parties who were not distinguished either for
their responsibility talents. He would vote for
the amendment Of the Senator from New York, be-
cause he believed its object was just one.
Mr.. BUTLER eaid that he but little differ
in effect between the two propostions-thc
bill or the proposed substitute.
Mr.. FOOTE said that he could not but regard
that the present amendment was calculated to have
an injurious effect on the peace of the country He
considered it virtually proposition to dissolve the
Union. The mover OF it, and every other man,
must know that, in the present alarmed and excited
state of the southern States the adoption of such
amendment this offered by the Senator from
New York would have other effect than the dis
solution of the Union. He had intended to have
voted for the bill. But owing to the course pur-
sued here by some, and to the fact that the bill had
been grossly misrepresented at the South by dis
honest editors and designing politicians, he would
not vote for it. The South had been agitated by
false representations Of the object and effect of this
bill
Mr.. WINTHROP said that if he voted against
this amendment it would be because he believed
its effect would be dissolution Of the Union. He
could not see how the emancipation OF Blk hundred
slaves territory less than six miles square could
have the effect Of dissolvng the Union of these
States. He could not imagine why gentlemen
could suppose that the emancipation of the slaves
territory Of mere handkerchief eX tent could pro-
duce such result. Nor if he should vote against
this proposition. would it be because he did not be-
lieve Congress has the power to do the act conem-
plated by it. He had no idea or knowledge that
IN hax-e hoe, int in
the Senate, but IT so happened that he had now be-
fore him some memoranda of authorities upon the
subject Of the powers Of Congress this District,
and while he was up he would refer to them. Mr..
w. then read from the authority of George Macon,
Patrick Henry, Madison, and others, to show that
the fathers fthe Constitution considered the powers
OF Congress over this District exclusive and
restricted over every subject and matter.
He also read extracts from the Journals of the
House, and from reports of Committees of the
House, to show that the power was considered TO
be in Congress Also, the resolutions of the Cen
eral Assembly of Virginia of 1896, proposing
amendment to the Constitution of the United States,
declaring that Congress should never abolish
slavery in the District without the consent of the
inhabitants, and of the States of Maryland and
Virginia.
He then examined the amendment and opposed
ii. Ii began with strange declaration, that
slavery shall forever in the District" while
1t goes on and allows slavery TO continue if the
election TO be held six months hence shall SO decide
also proposed to compensate the masters for such
damage as they might sustain, but made pro-
vision for the slaves who were thus to be turned
free. w hat was TO be done for them, and what
was to support them? The amendment made no
provision on this point at all. He considered the
introduction OF the proposition now as indis.
Greet.
Mr. BADGER said that he considered the sena.
tor from Massachusetts most extraordinarily
lucky. IL was most remarkable that the Senator,
not having the least idea that this proposition
TO be introduced should have the luck and the good
fortune TO have his desk the most apt and appro
references authorities.
Mr.. WINTHROP explained that the memoranda
he had used were brought by him TO the Senate be-
cause of their applicability TO the bill before it he
knew nothing OF the intention of the Senator from
New York to introduce the amendment One por
ton of the references collected by him had been
prepared by him in the other House, nine years
ago, and had not been examined till few days ago
when this bill for the suppression Of the slave trade
had been called up.
MIR. BADGER said that the good fortune of the
Senator had been made more manifest by bis
PLANTATION. The Senator not only has the good for
tune of having his authorities and references 80
carefully prepared by him. ready for one bill, but,
without his knowledge, the Senator from New York
introduces proposition to which the gentleman
notes expressly apply, and his researches extending
back for nine years are 80 remarkably fitted with
ease.
| The Senator from Massachusetts seemed to treat
the suggestion that the adoption of the amendment
the emancipation Of six hundred slaves in what
he termed pocket handkerchief territory-would
dissolve this Union, something absurd. IL was
the principle which that emancipation involved,
and not the number Of slaves, the extent Of ter
ritory which the foundation Of the suggestion
Did the ancestors of the Senator consider the guam
tity Of tea in the harbor OF Boston when they
sisted its introduction Did they say, if the mother
country sends over here dozen large vessels all
loaded with tea, then will resist, but there il
now only small quantity, a mere handkerchief
full, we will submit They then resisted the prn-
cpe involved in the 10 nding Of that tea, and sim
liar fecling.would now make the South look on the
emancipation by Congress Of even an inconsidera-
bic number Of slaves as cause for alarm, resent
ment, if not resistance.
MIR. u. pointed out the danger which would be
likely TO follow, from the adoption Of theIamend-
mcnt, and the just grounds for believing that lie
adoption might tend TO break up the bonds Of this
Union. lie expressed himself still favorable TO the
passage Of the BILL and hoped his colleague would
reconsider his determination TO oppose il.
Mr.. RUSk moved, and
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
| MAIL STEAMERS.
bod oNo tlo "A ~