Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-12-19
CONGRESS.

Of California, appeared to-day, and took their
seats.
1 The Chair laid before the Senate commune
| cation from the home department, enclosing the
report Of the commIs sioners OF the Land Omce
and pensions -aso the report OF the Land Comp
troller appropriations If Home department iof
the past yenr.
i The printing was ordered, and appropriately
referred.
Gu motion of SIR. YuIee, all in the Presidents
message relating to naval affairs, was referred to
the Naval COMMITTEE.
j Mr.. Butler gave notice of a bill to indemnify
the people of Souh Carolina tor advances Of
money to the general government on account OF
the florida war.
Mr.. Benton introduced bill to pay Missouri
the amount Of the two per centum fund accrued
on sales OF public lands In Missouri reserved to
4 make road. 49,.
/ He explained the whole subject and the bill
/ was referred.
A bill for relief Of John McGraw Of New York
was taken up add pissed.
The bill granting lands for The benefit OF the
INDECENT Insane, reported on the memorial OF
Mss Dix, was made the special o:der Tor
"Wednesday.
The bill 10 distribute the decisions Of the ST.
| preme Court among the several state was taken
| up. IN
Mr. Dayton explained and supported the bill
at length.
MIR. Yuee opposed the bill, and on his motion
il was laid on the table.
Mr.. Gwinn moved to take up the California
bills. Lost
The private calender vas taken up, and two
private bills passed
The Chair laid before the Senate message
from the President enclosing a communication
from the Mexican Minister in relation to the In
cursions OF Indians upon Mexican citizens. ana
asking that the provisions of the 1lth article OF
the treaty Of Guadaloupe HIdalgo be carried out
by the United States.
| On notion the message and enclosed conmu-
nication were referred to the ComGitlee on Mil
itary Affairs
After an Executive session the Senate adj
journei.
House.-The Standing Committees have been
announced, and are nearly the same as at the
| last sessiD
Mr. Henry A. Ballard of LOUISIANA, elected in
place OF Judge Conrad, was introduced ANA
qualified.
On motion of Mr.. Bayly of Virginia, the
House then went into Committee Of the Whole,
Mr.. Boyd In the chair.
Mr.. Bayly ,fftred resolution, referring the
several pats of the Presidents message to The
appropriate Committees.
I
that much Of the message relates To our
domestic policy, be referred TO the judiciary
committee.
! He SAID there were some things which he hear
uy approved, and Others which he condemned.
There wac no deception or uncertainty in any
part Of II; the views expressed by Mr.. Fill
more on the subject of the veto, are as strong
as 'huse avowed BY Presidents Jackson, Tyler Or
Polk.
The iatter part Of the message says in effect
that the fugitive slave law shall remain IN force
that if a bill De passed for It's repeal the Presi-
dent will veto it. In reference to his duty to
ecute the laws, MIR. Giddings regarded it IS
menace that the tlee people Of the North shall
submit to the law, or the President will call out
the army and Navy forces. This is unworthy
Of President OF the United States in the 18th
century. Freemen are not to be governed by
sword and cannon, but by law. The President
| has not power TO enforce the law, when 1t Com
maDds The freemen Of the North TO leave their
workshops and dwellings to chase fugtIves, put
irons on their limhs, and return them 10 their
tormen,s. The army and navy cannot command
the carrying out Of such a law. The general
| government bue pow uphold slas DRY It -
an institution of the states.
| In his district the slave catcher was regarded
as worse than pirate or murderer. And the
moment cannon are brought against Northern
| treemen, shat moment the death knel of the Re-
pubic Is sounied. Ffon this time forward be
would know where the President is He IS in
favor OF the fugitive slave law, and by il the ad-
uinisiraion must stand or fail. The lines of
freedom and slavery are drawn as wide as the
impossible gulf HAT seo srates Dives and Laza-
rus. We know where pa,ties stand. Out OF
10 600 iugnlves IN the North, not more than
four or five have been captured. Nine out of
Of tha hux+ 81
eciaied the Law, and the public indisnat on will
sweep it cut Of existence.
Mr.. Brown, OF Indiana said that as this was
short session, and hlile remained for business if
this discussion should continue. there was no
tei.ing where it would end For the purpose of
terminating the debate he moved that the Com
niittee rise with view of Offering u resolution
TO stop debate.
The committee rose, when resolution to I'm
1t discussion to one minute was passed. The
House again weni into committee of the Whole,
when Mr.. Weutwor:h proposed that no speech
should be more than one minute 10 durauon-
When this subject shall have been disposed of,
he would call up the River and Harbor bills and
/, Cheap Postage bill, which the people expect
will be passed this week, AID then proceed 10
) other business.
/, Mr. McClernand of Illinois said, in offering an
: amendment, that citizen of free state, he
dis vowed Tor himself and those he represented,
and for the whole STATE of Illinois, the revolu-
tlonary, sedltious, aud lie might say, reasonable
! sentiments avowed by Mr.. Giddngs, who ohjec-
ted 10 the Fugitive Slave act. This is a fraud
on the constitution, and on common honesty
To profess adherence tn the Constitution, and at
! the same time object to the law is an absurdity
the law being in execution Of the constitution
Ii it had not been for those with whom the gen.
tlenan acts, there would have been no occas on
, for thus law. Would he tell that without this
clause the constitution would have been adopt
|, ed. The act of SO, TO carry out this provision
was signed by Washington
I Is the gentleman more pure, benevolent and
patriotic than the father of his country That
act voted for by the trainers of the consti,u-
ton. They did not conceive that they we're
trampng on the rights Of human na'ure-they
considered that they were observing good faith !;
but 10 the course OF time, voluntary associations
were organized, underground railroads cons,ruc-
ted, and the law illegally oosted. The conduct
Of certain individuals became a grievance by
passing the fugitive slave law. For one, he
should be willing TO use the whole force Of the
government 10 carry 1t out. The issue between
/ unionists and disunionists is not speculative
question OF philanthropy. II is is-ue OF the