The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-19

tell the gentleman why Itis sad iTy upon tue
gentle men coming from slave sate-and think ha
one behind me WHO ought always TO be before me- GMr.
on this noor nom that section Of the country argued
that YOU have no gh, 70 prohb the n,Iodueton Of slave
other hand there is man. with few exceptions tand
some hgny respectable n the free States learned
learned clerical OF lay who has pretesons legal
knowledge but believes ia his conscience that you have
night 10 prohibit slavery Is not that curious ny
1 upon that wonderful thing called human reason?
i MIR uNDEnwooD. isngiAaisd On a ttns'"
/ Mr. DOUGLAS AS the report of the debate on yes
terday reads. il convey the idea that con.
loveed the truth Of The statement Of the senator from
New Hampshire Mr. HALE when made The remark
that that contrary TO the fact" referred TO The
declaration upon which that statement made that all
on one side OF certain geographical line took vie W
OF this question: while all The other side another
view. My denial amounted TO this: that if such decla-
ration had been made upon this hoor the statement was
not true in fact although The making il might have
thought 1t was true, The statement upon which The
senator from New Hampshire predcaed his declaration
was entirely unfoundei The debates Of the Senate
clearly show that the Senate divided according
geographical line the question of the Mexican laws,
members the other in body. The declaration of Mr.
| Corwin rs, that, with few exceptions, all the south
ern senators held that the Mexican laws were not in
force in the Territories, and, with few exceptions all
the northern senators held that they were in force
Whether these exceptions Of which the senator speaks
constituted minority or majority Of all the senators
know many southern senators did hold that those laws
were still in force, while from the North held that
they ceased TO exist by virtue OF the constitution of the
United States. have never known in which this
Senate has divided on question of law constitutional
construction according TO geographical line
will now say in this come that, so far as
have been familiar with the decisions of the Supreme
Court of the United States, that tribunal has never
brought itself under any Just suspicion of having been
or constitutional questions The judges from the North
upon the bench OF the Supreme Court have uniformly
as their decisions will show, been firm and rgidy
tenacious in their support of the interests of the South
under the constitution, the southern Judges themselves
have been There has frequently been diversity of opn-
ion among The judges OF the Supreme Court upon some
questions OF law and constitutional construction that might
affect this slavery question But wherever and when
that diversity of opinion has existed southern Judges
among themselves. But never have all the southern
Judges taken one view of the subject and all the north
en judges taken the other. Therefore il gentlemen will
examine the decisions of the Supreme Court upon this
question: they will find entire and total absence of the
slightest bias impression upon the minds OF the Judges
growing out OF the localities in which they may live,
the places where they have been brought up and educa
ted. And it may be hoped that snch always will be the
that whatever may be differences of opinion
terhe Supreme Court Of the United States
be affected or influenced render themselves sub
jec 10 suspicion Of entering into any Of these local
feelings by which they may be surrounded believe
that that court is above all such implication.
The PRESIDENT: The Chair will be under The ne.
cessity Of stepping this debate i j. not in order
Mr.. UNDERWOOD understood the gentleman
from New Hampshire [Mr. HALEl on yesterday TO say
that there were no exceptions to tins statement which he
referred to- do not know that be used the terms "no
exceptions" but he made exceptions. My object yes
erday in rising TO show that there exceptions
and to show tina, the rule that he laid down
versal Now while did that on yesterday, will admit
that said intnaed at the time Mr. Corwin made his
speech that majority OF those the south side of 80
deg. 80 min. denied that we had this power, while
onty the north side OF that line OF a different
opinion.
Mr.. BUTLER, Tin his seat.) What has that to do
with the question now considering
MIR is nj liz
quence.
The PRESIDENT The Chair will state that the
honorable senator from New Hampshire mir HALEl said
he wished 10 make explanation in regard 10 The report
OF his remarks on yesterday His explanation vas sim
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. rose simply 10 explain, as ii
nigh, otherwise be supposed that had controvered the
truth Of the statement OF the senator from New iamp
shire, tMr. HAZE do not wish 10 be placed in any
such attitude merely wanted TO say that understood
that senator as making exceptions yesterday, when
there were exceptions. did admit that majority Of
those the south side OF SO deg 80 min did deny the
power, while majority OF those the other side did
not deny the power TO prohibit slavery in those Terrific
Ties.
Mr. BADGER | have an amendment TO propose for
the purpose OF relieving the resolution Of two objections
which may be made against itone OF them perhaps hav
ing some intrinsic force, and the other, though think
without real weight having some apparent force. The
first objection TO which alude is that the resolution OF
the Senate il now stands undertakes TO declare in re-
spec TO the series OF measures constituting the Compro.
what is the duty Of the public al large. The second
is, that the resolution implies. imports or may be made
intimate that The Senate suppose that the acts OF legls
aton referred TO in that resolution rrepealabe and
that beyond the power Of Congress TO modify them
Now sir, while know that not the intention OF the
mover, but as IT is important that il the resolution shall
be adopted, j, may be distinctly UNDERSTOOD suggest this
amendment, which think will obviae the difficulty, and
will express with clearness and precision what designed
by it, move strike out from The resolution all after
the word body in the 10th line, and 10 insert the fol-
| lowing:
"a settlement in prime Pile and in substance-a final set
emeooi the dangerous and exciting subjects which they
I'D perlence shall demonstrate the necessity OF further
! legislation 10 guard against evasion or abuse
| The resolution amended will read as follows
he rssopd That the series Of measures embraced 10
the entitled "An act proposing TO the State OF Texas
establishment OF her northern aud western boundaries
by her exterior said boundaries and Of all her claims
upon United States, and establish territorial gov
eminent for New Mexico" approved September ~ 1880
the admission OF tie State OF California into
the Union" approved September g. 1850 AN act
tsbis territorial government Tor Utah" approved Sep
tenber 1850 An act TO amend and supplementary TO
entitled An act respecting fugltves tom Justice
and escaping from the service OF helr masters
(approved February ", 1881 approved September ~,
1850. and IAN to suppress the slave trade in the Dis
trct OF Columbia" approved September 70, lsSO-com'
tent OF this body, settlement In principle and In sub
final settemcn'~ui the dangerous and exciting
SUBJECTS which they embrace aud ought TO be adhered 10
by Congress until lime and experience shall demonstrae
the necessity Of further legislation to guard against evasion
| or abuse.
Mr. FoOTE, OF Mississippi, stated his concurrence in
| the amendment.
The question being taken upon the amendment, ii was
agreed to
Mr. FOOTE, of Mississippi spoke at some length in
support OF the resolutIon-the report oil his remarks be-
ing withheld for revision and, without concluding, he
g,ro p,,t1n a, ,ltpr,rn uhar