The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-17

Ohio, Tor example, moved to strike out from
the second resolution the words, "moral and
religious" with view of exemptng from de-
nunciation the moral and religious discussion
of Slavery and this seemed 80 reasonable,
that even Mr.. Buchanan recorded his name in
favor of it, but it was lost-FRANKLTN PIERCE
voting nay with Mr. Calhoun.
Mr.. Morris moved, Also an amendment to
the third resolution, declaring the freedom of
speech and Of the press on all subjects, indis-
putable, and under the supervision only of the
States in which such freedom was exercised :;
but this was rejected, we believe, by the same
vote.
The first four resolutions with some slight
modification, were then adopted-FRANKLN
PIERCE recording his vote ip favor of every one
of them.
When the fifth resolution came up, asserting
substantially that efforts by the People of the
States or the States themselves to procure the
abolition of slavery in the District or Terrific
rles, were direct and dangerous attacks on the
institutions of the Slaveholding States, though
all the States are made responsible by the Con-
stitution and Congress for Slavery in the Dis
trict and Territories, Mr.. PIERCE took occasion
to define his position. This resolution, he said,
was the ground on which this contest was to
be determined "with, perhaps, some modfica-
ton, would present the true issue here and to
the country-an issue which would raise, not
mere question of expediency, but one of a
much higher character, in which the public
faith is directly involved" He then proceeded
to sustain the resolution in its length and
breadth, and to vindicate the whole series rs
offered by Mr.. Calhoun against the assaults
made upon them.
But, while Mr.. Pierce was anxious to put
through all these resolutions, MIR. Clay and
other Slayeholdng Senators thought the fifth
and sixth too sweeping and unguarded; and he
moved substitute, directed only against inter
ference by the citizens of one State with the
institutions of another, containg no declaration
that attempts to bring about the abolition ofsla
very here "were a direct and dangerous attack
uIph tuC iiStitutiohS VI I'LL Vic
States" but recognising, in express terms, the
duty of Congress to receive and respectfully
treat all petitions, in deconous language, against
slavery in the District. This substitute was
adopted, with some slight modifcation-.-l9 to
1S-Mr. BUCHANAN and Mr.. CLAY voting yea,
MIR. CALHOUN and Mr.. PIERCE nay.
Subsequently, the substitute was divided, and
its various parts amended and adopted success
sively-Mr. CALHOUN and Mr.. PIERCE gener-
ally voting together
On motion of MIR Preston of South Carolina
the sixth resolution of MIR Calhoun was laid
upon the table, on the ground that this branch
of the subject would be more appropriately dis
cussed in connection with the resolutions intro
duced by him for the annexation of Texas to
the Union. The vote stood IS to 9-this time
Mr.. PIERCE voting with the great majority
against MIR. Calhoun.*
January 3, 1898, two petitions were present
ed, one against the annexation of Texas and
the admission of any new State tolerating sla-
very; the other for the abolition of the inter-
State slave trade. The motion to receive was
laid upon the table-Mr. PIERCE voting nay,
in accordance with his policy, which was, to
receive all such petitions, and lay them on the
table instanfyt
January 9th, 1888, Mr.. Prentice presented
resolutions Of the Legislature Of Vermont,
against the annexation of Texas against sla-
very in the District, and Atherton's gag; and
he moved that they be laid upon the table and
be printed. The first part of the motion pre-
vailed and Mr.. Lumpkin then moved to
lay upon the table the motion to print This
was carried, and a sovereign State was thus
insulted by the following vote-yeas 30, nays
s-FRANKLIS PIERCE voting, ycat
February 6, 1888, Mr.. Morris presented
resolution directing the Committee on the
Judiciary to inquire into certain matters per-
tanning to the institution of slavery in the States
and Territories, and report thereon to the SEN
ate Some of the Slaveholding members, with
their Northern allies manifested desire to re-
fuse its reception, but the rules of the Senate
forbade this. Mr. Calhouns resolutions in De-
cember had been respectfully received, laid
upon the table, and ordered to be printed. The
resolution of Mr.. Morris was at last laid
upon the table; but, seeing the hostile DISPOSE
ton of the Senate he withdrew his motion to
print
The Friday following, the resolution was
called up, and Mr.. Morris expressed a desire to
address the Senate; but Mr.. Norvell moved to
lay the question of its consideration on the
table. Mr.. Buchanan requested him to with
draw it. Nobody would misapprehend his po-
sition on this subject of abolition, but he was
in favor of fair play. Mr.. Clay had been per-
mitted to address the Senate at length the day
before, on presenting memorial against abo-
ltion, and he thought the Senator from Ohio
had right to be heard in reply. After that
they could readily dispose of the subject.
This was certainly a fair proposition, and
creditable to Mr.. Buchanan, but Norvell per-
sisted in his motion and the Senate, % to 90
voted to lay the question of consideration on
the table thus applying the gag to Mr.. Nor
ris, and virtually denying free speech to Ohio
while it recognised it in Kentucky. Mr.. Pierce
voted yea, together with Mr.. Calhoun and his
special friends, against Mr. Buchanan. Mr.
Clay, and other advocates Of " fair play"
We have presented the record OF Mr.. Pierce
as a Representative and Senator in Congress
During his two terms in the House, and until
he resigned his seat in the Senate, he was al
ways true to the Slave Power, and gave no vote
which subjected him to its displeasure or sus-
picion.
IL may be said that others in those days
voted as he did, who since then have shown