The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-10

to go into Committee of the Whole, for The mr.,
pose Of disposing of the several subjects in the
Presidents Message. Carried.
Mr.. BOYD in the Chair.
Mr.. BAYLY moved the usual resolutions of
reference of the Presidents Message. Carried
Mr.. WENTWORTH asked if the suspended
business Of the last session was not first in order
The CIIAlR replied that, by a joint reso-
LUTON of the two Houses, such business would be
IN order after the expiration of six days, but no
member Directing, he should decide the resolu-
tons before the Committee in order, because in
accordance with usage.
Mr.. RICHARDSON moved to take up the
President message. Carried.
| The resolutions OF the Chairman of the Com
mitee of Ways and Means, were read.
| Mr.. STRONG proposed to amend as that
the SUBJ ect of board of claims be referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary, rather than to the
Ways and Means.
After some discussion by Messrs. STRONG, BAY
Lv, VINroN, MEApE and BoKEE, the question was
put upon the amendment, when it was adopted.
Mr.: STANTON, of Tennessee, proposed to
amend the resolution referring to Naval affairs,
by lnstructlng that committee to inquire into the
eypediency Of establishing line Of mail steamers
between the west coast Of the United States and
China.
Mr.. BAYLY objected, seeing no propriety in
considering subjects not embraced in the Presi-
dents message.
Mr.. STANTON said the subject was referred to
in the documents accompanying the message.
Atter further remarks by Messrs. GREENE and
STANTON, the latter so modified his amendment
to refer the said subject to the Committee on
Naval Affairs.
Mr.. BAYLY stated that his resolutions were
drawn as to effect that iect.
Mr.. STANTON then withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. GlDDlNGS proposed a resolution referring
to the Committee on the Judiciary much of the
policy.
MIR. GIDDlNGS addressed the House in a
speech OF an hour lie denied the power of the
General Government to enact or enforce the Fugi-
tive slave law. He INDUCED in severe structures
upon the institution Of slavery denouncing it a
nefarous institution which The Government was
not bound to uphold. Not all the military power
of the government could execute the fue tive slave
law. He remarked upon the inconsistency of the
Wing leaders, in reference to the veto power, the
exercise Of which the party had so long denounced
and batted against, and co,npmented the bold
ness of the Administration in avowing its readi-
ness to exercise the veto, set forth in the mes
sage His remarks in reference to the Fugitive
Slave law were substantially as follows:
| The Northern men, he said would as soon cut the
fugitives throats to restore them to those who
would sacrifice their lives in five seven years on
sugar and cotton plantations-who would work
them up in that short time in cotton and sugar.
They would regard themselves as their murderers
If they consented to give them up to such doom,
at the command Of any law that so violated COM
mon sense, justice, and humanity. You might
possibly find men at the North, whom avarice
would tempt to commit murder by some COM
mon sudden act, but not a murder by five years OF
slow torture. They may be shot down. The
cannon, the sword, and the bayonet may do their
work upon them-they may be drowned in the
fugitves' blood but never will they stoop to com
nit this crime And let me tell the abettors of
the slave power, that the cannon that opens its
battery upon Northern freemen who protect the
fugitive, knells the death OF this Republic l do
not menace, nor aude to my personal intentions,
though | would rather not be Intercepted much
in that respect state, what all enlightened per-
| sons must admit, that educated freemen will never
be coerced against their conscience. Our South
ern friends may expect it, but they will be dsap-
pointed, for no power can compel Northern men
to such criminal acts. But am told that such
power will be exered, and trust it will not. No
lover of republican institutions, or Of the Union,
will advise attempt the use of military power
for any such purpose.
The heart OF the free North beats for freedom.
1t loves justice, and never, neper will catch
poles for the advocates Of slavery be found there.
Of the IS 600 6etitives there no! more than four
cuted. Notwithstanding WING President signed
the act, the Wing party at the North are opposed
to it, and nine out Of ten Of the Wing press de-
nounce it. l could cite judicial authority in my
own District, a man who long opposed, and acted
warmly against the Free-soilers and anti-slavery
party, with power and influence almost une
qualled. But, sir, he condemns this law, utterly
and unqualifedIy, and he says, should fugtives
be sought in his district, he would issue writ OF
habeas corpus, and the slave being brought before
him, he should release him. Let not the South
be deluded by pro-savery meetings in commercial
cities. They are not an index of the true and pre-
valling sentiments of the North. In their frted
atmosphere, may be found not little ofinteresed
prostitution to the slave-growlng interest.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. GLIDING s remarks,
Mr. BROWN, ofIndiana, moved that the COM
mittees rise to enable him to introduce a resolu-
ton. Carried.
Mr.. BROWN introduced a resolution closing
debate in five minutes.
| Mr.. HIBBARD moved to amend by inserting
one minute, which motion prevailed.
The previous question was ordered The House
agreed to the amendment, and the resolution was
adopted
Mr.. MEADE submitted the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved, That all memorials and petitions re-
erred to the several committees of the last session
and not acted on, be referred to the same COM
mittees.
Mr.. WENTWORTH moved that the House
go again into Committee Of the Whole. Carried.
Mr.. McCLERNAND addressed the House in
a'speech of five minutes, combating the positions
Of Mr.. GrpDINGs, and maintaining the constitu-
,ionaty Of the act providing for the arrest Of fu
| gltlve slaves.
| Mr.. McLANE moved to amend the resolutions
ofMr. BAYLy, by charging the Committee on Com
merce with recommendations respecting the i'm
provement of rivers.
After debate by Messrs. McLANE, BAYLY, and
! ROBINSON, the amendment agreed to. The
remainder Of Mr.. BAYLY's resolutions were then
agreed to.
Mr.. HOUSTON offered an additional resou-
ton for the reference Of much of the Presidents
Message as relates to the supplying the city Of
Washington with water, to the Committee on
Public Buildings. Mr.. lioUsToN made some re-
marks in reference to the importance of the pro-
posed measure, when it was agreed to.
| motion was made that the committee rise,
which prevailing, the reso uons, under the opera
ton ofthe previous question, were adopted by the
| House.
Mr.. SCHENCK moved suspension Of the
rules to enable him to introduce resolution rela-
tive to the fitting out and sending OF the United
States ship Pennsylvania to the Worlds Fair.
The motion to suspend the rules was not agreed
to. Adjourned
|
JENNY LIND.
an MONDAY, the 10th inst, we shall open ex-
| H.