The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-18

that committee may take charge of them II they think
oroper give lhs notice, because IT 10 perfectly mma-
iena 10 whether the law is repealed or modified
The question being put Inc motion 10 refer to the Com
mlt,s on the Jud eisiy was agreed To-
Subsequently Mi. A fCHl SON said | want to ina uire
ii, what the cha OF the petition referred 10 the
Comnittee on the Judiciary
The PRESIDENT. II WAS for tho repeal or modfca-
oon OF The fugitive slave law
Mr. ATCHiSoN. move 10 reconsider that vote. and
FOR this reason | reason why the memorial
esented by the senator IRON Maine should be laid
an lie table, similar memorials presen ei by The sena.
Tor from New York Mr. SEwARpl and the senator from
New Hampshire [Mr HALEl have been thus disposed
OF ,.,,, :, - i. "
senators that nave presented various memorials hereto
fore Tor a repeal OF this law, and have myself moved 10
Law them upon the table, not because believed il
right but because that The oil the Senate This
IA memorial asking for the repeal modification of the
fugitiye slave law The Committee on the Judiciary
have believe, now before them bill for that purpose
and coming from such responsible source this
moral did. asking fora repeal or modification OF an ex
sting law and signed by men, some OF whom
members of the State senate others OF whom have been
members OF the executive council and members OF the
State leg stature, and all ct whom among the most
worthy citizens OF State, whatever might be the
of The Senate, could do no less than 10 ask that might
he referred to a committee Tor their consde ration
The PRESIDENT In looking al the memorial the
Chair finds that was signed IN blank as i appears, with
printed paper pasted on II al the top. Whether II
there originally when signed, or not cannot be
Mr. FOOTE desire TO say the poin, OF the refer.
ence the bill introduced The other day by the senator
IRON Indiana, [Mr BRIGHT that IT does not propose to
modify any existing law at all bat simply TO declare what
the late law was the two entirely different,
For my own part. recognising what we have done as a
delntve adjustment OF the question, will not for
anything tending to renew agitation lmove lay tupon
u The PRESIDENT The proposition is to reconsider
Mr. FOOTE. beg pardon, thought it was new
proposition.
Mr. CHASE, think the honorable senator from Mis-
sssipp [Mr FoorEl is little mistaken in regard to the
character OF the proposition made by the senator from
Indiana, Mr. BRIcHr.l That bill does no, propose to
explain the late law, for it needs no explanation But
hardly think legislative explanation would amount
anything, If II did The bill proposes TO revive the old
law, so far as 10 enforce the penalties which i'm
Of Indiana have decided that the law OF 1850 repeats the
law of 1898, SO far that is concerned The district
court OF Indiana having SO decided
Mir. CHASE I should have said il is feared The dis
c court OF Indiana will so decide. and that the circuit
'0 Mr.. FooTE. Will the senator allow me to in
terapt him moment | understood the honora-
. BILE senator from Indiana Mr.. BRIGHTl to say the
other day simply that II was matter OF dispuia
ton in court. Being SO, it looked upon desi,
fixed by legislative action Whether this is the proper
course not will not say II there has been any adj
Indication, any serious apprehension that the of
Indiana would not decide they bound to decide
upon this question: in my Judgment, we should have 10
settle the matter ultimately
The PRESIDENT: The question is upon reconsider.
ing the vote referring the memorial upon the bill
/ lfoduced by the senator from Indiana
MI. CHASE. am aware OF the state of the question,
and do not mean TO ransgress the rules OF The Senate
lhlEk II was proper to say that if such decision has
made, there is upon the statement made by the
senator from Mississippi MIR FooTEl an apprehension
that such decision may be made The act OF 1850 pro-
vdes Tor heavy penaes and greater penalties than
imposed by the act OF 1893; and being upon The
matter, i is supposed il may be repealed But pass
frnm Tint an cir hat n hpua ho II nf
whatever character II may has been referred 10 the Ju.
dietary Committee There is now a petition offered by
my friend from Maine, Mr. HAMLIs as coming from
portion OF the citizens Of the very highest character in
his State praying for similar object aud sxbm il TO
the Senate, without a single word OF explanation further,
whether they prepared TO make distinction between
memorials, petitions, and bills upon side of this sub
ect, and memorials. petitions and bills upon TIE other.
Mr. BERRlEN. desire simply TO say, sir. as un.
destand The bill introduced by the senator ro Indiana,
Is bill which proposes to declare tina, the act OF 1850
did not repeal the act OF 1898 That is very distinct
proposition from The one contained IN the memorial now
presented the Senate. The latter seeks the modihca
non OF the bill law OF $780, and therefore throws open
this subject TO that agatng discussion which is deslra
BILE upon all hands TO AVOID trust, therefore, that the
mouon OF the senator from Missouri Mr.. ATcHIsoNl
Will preva-iha this motion may be reconsdered, and
that that memorial will share the fate of others OF like
character. and be ordered to lie on the table.
Mr.. SEWARD. The record of the Senate, Mr. Pres-
DENT shows this 10 be the character OF its past action
upon this subject A petition relating to the laws con-
corning iugiuves from service when presented, is
the ptultOn Ot 10 Ttnuef iHtse
laws more Stringent than they now are. bill intro
duced Tor such purpose the eectoi which TO increase
The Igor OF the law concerning ugves iron has
obtained reference. Petitions Tor the amendment OF
these laws, so as 10 render them less rigorous, denied
such reference That Is discrepancy The record OF
HE Senate shows anoiber-namely, that when petition
J. submitted 70 the Senate upon The motion OF the senator
IRON Pennsylvania, Mr. COOPER praying for
tneoratlon repeal OF these laws, it receives refer
ehce, When petition Tor precisely the same object Is
fesened by the senator from New YORK, II Is denied a
reference shall vote against the reconsideration OF the
reference that has been made. not only because am in
asof equal and exact justice 10 both sides OF this CUES
on but because Il my duty insist upon equal and
hc justice from The Senate To all OF its members.
but sf shall vote against the reconsde ration for
hef feason-lor the reason that | deem II most Inlu-
olous ana most unwIse 10 deny reference TO the petit
ons OF any class oil citizens OF the United States Whether
hey are such AS those who have sent here the petition
low presented by the honorable senator from Maine,
MI AhLINl men OF high standing and influence, called
ere the de OF society, whether they presented by
nam humble unpretendng, republican citizens, hold
mem all entitled 10 equal leg satve respect and consider
uoh and never stop to inquire never make II a
ONT 10 inform The Senate OF The character, title. or
own Of any person whose name ~ anne xed any pet
pom presented by myself
oul mere IS stil another reason, which | am glad 10
ave an opportunity TO siaietbai is that If the object Of
oehae be 10 suppress agston II is my opinion that
10y Jake exactly The wrong course TO do IT, For years
lvn years the Congress OF the United States undertook.
hs OF Tue other branch, in both branches, 10 refuse
any way OF m any to receive and consider pc
IONS upon the subject OF slavery The effect Of this
as GENIAL OF The night of petition. Experience sir,
nS has settled the point that that denial OF the right OF
luon increased The agitation upon the subject of
PaVety, instead OF diminishing il Now hold n TO be