The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-18
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
BOUNTY LAND LAW,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
BOUNTY LAND LAW.
MIR. JONES, of Tennessee, made report from
the Joint committee of conference on the disagree
ing votes of the two Houses the Land Warrant
Assignment bill. He explained the several pro-
visions ought TO be amended
Messrs DURHAM and FITCH made few re-
marks.
The House refused 10 order the main question on
the adoption OF the report and the subject went
over until to morrow.
DEFICIENCY BILL.
The resolution of Mr.. HousToN, offered yester-
day. TO close the debate on this bill, was amended,
limiting the time to to morrow, at four O'Clock,
and in this form agreed TO,
The House then resolved itself into a Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union, (Nlr.
MEADE in the chair,) and took up the bill to sup
ply deficiencies III the appropriations ioT the hscal
year ending June 30, 1852.
Mr. APPLETON, Of Maine, said that he did not
think it be injurious 10 the country to discuss
party topics in this Hail. The exhibition of vigor
and frankness seems to presage brilliant future
of Democratic success. When the waters are still
and stagnant we have the most danger to fear.
While Samson sleeps Deilah may approach HIM
with impunity; but when he awakes and stands
forth conscious of his strength, with head erect,
muscles swelling, and every hbre instinct with
life, then wo to the party which attempts to stay
his march. Let not the Wings lay the 'tlattering
JUNCTION to their souls that the Democracy are
destined to utter and ovcrw hclming defeat What
the Wings think TO be discord, j. only the tun-
ing Of the instruments; but when the BATH
more Convention make their nomination, there
will be a harmonious burst from that devoted
band, whose music will drive the Wings from the
field Of battle. The Democratic party are really
getting SO crowded. that there Is scarcely room Tor
any more members. He proceeded to speak OF the
healing efficacy of the Compromise measures II
he had been in Congress when they were before
the House he should have voted for them. He
trusted that there is serious intention to disturb
them; and believed that none such exists at the
North. These measures are the fruit OF old Demo
cratic principles applied to serious exigencios IN
affairs. The Democracy would do better to cling
those principles, not to make their appllca-
ton again necessary in such an event ii the Dem
ocrats had succeeded in l5i9, the Wings would
not have got into the peril that required Democra-
tic relief. In conclusion, he avowed himself In IA
vor of progress, but not of the wild, impulsive
kind; and declared himself prepared 10 support the
candidate, whoever he may be, Of the Baltimore
Convention.
MIR. TOWNsHEND, of Ohio, said with regard to
the series OF measures called the Compromise, that
the effort made TO secure their endorsement by
party caucuses, and the attempt TO secure their
endorsement by both branches Of the National Lee
gisiature together with the anxiety manifested by
gentlemen to have their views understood, and the
debates from day to day. show that the great ques-
ton Of slavery IL the prominent topic before Con.
gress. II excites more individual and sectional
luminosity, and has more To do with the selection
binary duties Of business, than any other SUBJECT
Ia view Of this, he denied that Congress have any
business with the slavery question:; and said that
the constitutional powers were transcribed, irst,
in the Of the law for the rcCapure tugl
tiye5 in seventeen hundred and ninety three; and
again in rc.es.ablishng slavery in this District
OF Columbia which should have ceased at the time
of the ccsslOD. He wished simply 10 declare his
own view, that the Fugitive law recently enacted
is wholly and entirely unconstitutional. Congress
he. tod b.va q. lt1alH tp
subject; and therefore the law j. unconstitutional
in all its provisions. The country never viii be
quiet while this act remains in force. 1t ought to
be repealed also the act which rc-estahlshed
slavery IN this District. The people Of the North
demand Of the South to keep this question within
their limits and not rcspass on the rest OF the
country. These things arc necessary 10 secure
harmony throughout the land. lie expressed hls
opinion that the vote Of Ohio could not be secured
for Democratic Presidential candidate If the Com
promise measures shall be made n test IN the can
vass.
Mr.. CHANDLER said that the House now have
before them bill which was reported on the TWEEN
tieth OF February Ii has teen before the com
mi,tee for several days, but not one word OF II has
been read by the Clerk, nor have remarks been di-
rec ted TO its provisions lie did not rise TO make
speech about the troubles existing between the
Democrats Of his STATE. or the Whgs, or branches
Of those parties in Pennsylvania. They have a
common field where they can settle their troubles,
and to which they can resort 10 break a lance.
J They would never interfere with the rong-dOlng
/ Of either side, knowing that gentlemen are cent
hber for other pUrposcs, but direct their attention
\ to the legislative business Of the country. great
\ error IL committed by representatives Of the pco-
| pie. One OF the fret tbings which a man owes 20
himself s sci-rcspoct, and the evidence Of II; and
the fret thing legislative body owes 10 itseli Il an
exhibition II lie seifrcspcct.
There is going abroad a report Of the proceed
I ngs OF the House this very bill, and which u
bringing upon the body the contempt OF the people,
which IN time will DO more 20 undermine the Re
public and CCutralizc IL than all the Executive
/ power which hsscvor been exercised. Legislative
power never ~ rlcts from the Legislature until the
/ Legislators Themselves CunCCdc by their conduct
I that they unfit 70 hold it. Gentlemen arc
talking here about daugcrs to our country, and u
Is said that il is not within the province OF Con-
gress to legslate On the Institutions Of the country
I SIC are told II the dangers around US and near
uEi but there are dangers stalking abroad IN the
! land, % which the President has alluded IN his
/ message, greater than any which can spring up
| in midst, because they arc 60 be brought from
| abroad and made part and parcel Of our policy
| and nOculatcd upon us. The Committee ON FO'
! reign Affairs has never seen this portion OF the
message. Speeches are made, associations formed,
| and sentiments uttered, which viii 20 lar towards
vitatng the public morals. And while these
thiGgs exist, gentlemen are sitting in cool debate
picking away the rotten boards Of the Baltimore
platform. What is platform, A building up O
something 10 hide the Constitution from the PEG
pie; the interpreting Of The opinions Of certain
men or a party, every four years 90 hide the pro
visions of that great light with which the world
should BE illuminated, but which u darkcned By
the counseis Of party men. Day by day these
speeCh hes are listened 10. Not long since, the print
ing Of the census document, very costly, wal
sought 10 be sent Co certain e5tdb ishmcnt IN thu
city the organ Of the Democratic party. Oi tba
organ he knew nothing bad lts tone, however
was not in accordance, With he ear. II grinds OF
from day TO day, yet its waIhng j. faint for wan
Of tlc pabuium necessary to ts strength. an'
which hls not been given 70 it. but every day
gentlemen arc rcsorting 10 means 20 keep Up part
discipline az the cot oi the treasury, instead 0
attending 90 logisatOn, because party pres
cannot be- paid iOr doing it 20 we'll.
Mr. C. said that be- int.i'lrei with no man
party vicws They no knew him would &C
knowledge that he was incapable Of that Ncarl
all the time Of tbis scssiOn-and they were nov
closIng the fourth m0uth--has been wasted. On
gentleman rises and impugus the laws Of Massa
5husetts, as i Congress have any thing 20 do wit
tho laws and troubles o. Massachusctts and %
s1id that Ha law Of uai State which forbade IRE
white man from marrying a cOiOrcd woman ha
been repealed. Now, be wished TO know wba
Congress have To do with th.ty What did il con
: Germ him ~ others whether the laws Of Missachu
sct's permit white man Go wivc with n black NO
, man, or whether the laws of Georgia allow whit
! man---any ,thor privilege Laughter
The gentleman from Maine (Mr APPLETON
this morning addressed the committee i'm n strait
Of rhetoric, Of infinite mort, which deli ghtcd him
bot he was startled when De heard the gentleman