The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-16

4
where il begins. By the sth article of the treaty Of
Washington, to which have before referred, were
bound TO continue these squadrous only for period OF
five years. The hve years have long eapsed-they
expired in 47and yel We continue the squadron down
to this time Now, without reference any of the OBJ
jects which have thought proper to present to the Sen
ale, without regard to the suppression OF the slave trade,
without reference to the advancement of the great
ests OF colonization, think, a mere measure of
financial economy II is worth considering whether
shall expose the lives OF gallant upon that
inhosptable c0astexpose them to the danger OF that
nhospitable climate al such vast expense to ship
ping, and with hltle benefit from the operation. h
But own that the subject OF colonization. important
as think is in view OF the great object OF the suppress
sion OF the slave trade commends itself TO my mind by
other and additional considerations declare to you,
sir-l may perhaps be extIavayant in my yiews-but
think OF all the projects OF the age, there which
to be compared to that great project OF transporting the
free people of color with their consent, from the
United States TO the Of Africa What be done
with them ask again. wha, is TO be done with them
They here under very noses and in this District
in the of the last years they have doubled
In number of the States laws being passed-rgor-
GUS lawso exclusion OF them from their territory Some
States, indeed, introducing into their fundamental
laws, into their constitutions provisions against the
cepon OF any Tree people OF color within their borders
What s to become OF them ask again. In the name OF
humanity and justice, what is to become of them
other remedy than that OF sending them back the
land whence their ancestors taken and can
Gsye Of no interest Of any portion e the people Of the
fer OF the free people OF color from the United States to
Africa. The whites at the North will be benefited the
South will be bene6edthe poor creatures themselves
will be benefited for, instead OF remaining in country
where they never can be elevated to the high social and
political condition OF the Whites-where they forever
remain degraded, corrupt, and dssoute class-they
be carried the country of their ancestors and into
an importance there which they will attain here
will be promoted civilization will be promoted religion
will be promoted by the transfer OF the free people OF
color, with their own consent from the United States TO
Africa And what portion Of the population of the
try will be injured by the transportation of these
None whatever.
Sir will not detan the Senate longer upon this sub
ject. would be extremely glad if honorable senators
would turn their attention to the executive document
which have referred and give some consideration to
the Suggestions | have made Al! ! il we could only
give up-t we could only renounce-these unhappy sub
ects of agitation which have disturbed country so
long and so greatly--if the people Of the North would
only allow the people of the South to manage their
domestic affairs in their way, unaffected and unim
peded by themif they would only reflect that slavery
fraught with evils, the evils not felt by those al
the NORTH but they confined to the South where the
slaves aref they would only to agitae each other
and our country, and endanger Union ITSELF by
nulng these unhappy subjects OF strife and controversy
and all would come together upon this great common
object. in which the free States just much inter
ested the slave States uRiling all energies in
sending tn the Tree people OF color from the shores OF
and pursue their own happnesswha glorious result
would II be for our country!
the Senate. move dispense with the reading OF the
petitions, and that they be referred to the Committee on
Commerce.
They were accordingly SO referred
FUGITIvEsLAvE LAW.
MIR. HALE hold in my hand petition, NUN erousy
sgned-l have not over the signatures but believe
there three hundred of ,hem--purporting to
come from the inhabitants OF Montgomery county Penn
syvania. do know that there is any ex- governor ex-
member OF Congress- that there any present aerat
among the signers [Laughterl am told, however, by
submitted the petition, that the petitioners among
the mos! respectable people in that part Of the State, and
one Of them Is brother to man who is candidate for
the office Of governor Laughter
Mr.. COOPER A, relative
MIR. HALE. A relative, mean That is it. Laugh
teri presume they all highly respectable. Laugh
teri Well, sir, these petitioners pray that you will
repeal an act OF Congress. They do not apply any
adectves TO it they do not speak of il unjust,
famous. or anything else They We pray that you
will Immediately repeal the act OF Congress approved the
2Sh OF September, $780, for the recapnre OF fngitlves
from slavery" should have been content to have pre-
senled this petition and lei it quietly go TO that sleep to
which every such petition from the OF the
government down to the present time has gone, without
any remarks comments by myself, had not the
ator from Pennsylvania Mr. CoopER]a few days since
set the example of expressing his opinion upon the
course that Congress oaght to pursue upon such an oc
casion and upon such measures and, strengthened
in the impression which received from such example
by the distinguished example which has just been set us
by the honorable senator from Kentucky, [Mr CLAY,]
hope that will be pardoned if at the present time
seize this opportunity to make one or two remarks
relative to this important matter.
| begin By following the example of my friend from
Pennsylvania, Mr. CooPER,l by expressing my opinion
OF what course Congress ought TO pursue. Congress
ought believe, 10 repeal that law essentially TO mod
iiy II at once | believe the law is reproach TO the
civilization OF the agea practical parody upon the con
sttuton These are my opinions.
Mr. FOOTE. call the senator to order and the point
that make is that he has right to the language
just used with regard the recent act passed by Con-
gress.
Mr. BERRIEN. Or with regard to any other act
Mr. FOOTE. Or with regard TO any other act. ] am
the senator from New Hampshire will believe that
do frpu, dIsrpsp IN him bu al IEx
contrary TO the rule
Mr.. HALE. | understand the rule which should guide
me in this matter II member means 10 move TO repeal
act he has right TO characterize the act he thinks
proper
MIR RUSK One word as TO the rule, and one word
only because the morning hour is taken up by these dis
upon the merits OF the question. understand
the rule be that gentlemen presenting the petition
may state in general terms what the petition contains
Certainly do moi understand the rule as covering the
ground, authorizing argument upon any question
that may be raised.
The PRESIDENT When a question OF order is
sed is not debatable until is decided by the Chair
and an appeal is aken when the appeal be debated
The Chair understands the senator from Mississippi lMr
FooTr1 raising point OF order in regard TO the terms
sed BY the senator from New Hampshire. In respect TO
that, ii is not strictly of order. The senator has
right characterize the action OF this body as he thinks
proper but il he terms that would justify il. the
pass any upon the senator that may
be thought proper Tha, is all that can be done.
The senator from Texas is strictly correct IN his re-
marks and conclusions The Chair has tolerated at this
session, extent known before, the general re-
marks in which have INDUCED upon the present
alton OF petitions The Chair would now state that the
rule simply requires statements with regard to the prayer
of the petitioner The Char that in future
hat