The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-05

slider, can anything be gained by preventing
man from being heard upon question OF thl'
kind Can YOU gain anything by sitting ms
mouth upon this question! am as decidedly
opposed TO agitation as any man In TINS Dody
And while | shall vote against any law 10
modify or change the Fugitive Slave Law uh-
less it be from defect found in its operation,
and to strengthen it yet, ut the same tlme,
! if there is motion made TO lay 1t upon the
table, shall vote against 1t. VIII near hihi'
and hear what he has to say.
More than that | have peculiar curiosity,
at this stage of affairs IN our country 10 near
what this third party has to say In the coming
canvass. And take it for granted that my
! honorable friend from Massachusetts MIR.
/ Sumnerl means TO give an expose OF their opin-
ions and of their intended proceedings
want the principles of that third party exposed
to the public gaze For one, | will not stfie
! it-not for "A moment would give 1t, on the
contrary. all the encouragement can | want
men 10 be classified in the coming election ,
and want to see how many OF our citizens III
the Northern States and in my own State, are
disposed to 90 in for the repeal of this Fugitive
Slave Law. We lose nothing by classification
in my humble opinion. The two great parties
are now arrayed in position; and | want TO
see this third party, that make this their hob
BY. so as to determine what strength they can
muster in the United States
Now. sir, would suggest this: shall vote
against the resolution | shall vote against
any reagitation of this question; but, at the
same time, mean never to give my vote III
this body to prevent any man that is honored
with a seat in this body, let him come from
what quarter he may, from being heard here
on any question-never | will hear him. |
do not care what he SAYS here | would, there
fore. suggest that the honorable Senator MIR.
Sumnerl postpooe his resolution until Satur-
day, as it will then interfere with none Of the
Legitimate business of the body and that we
all agree to give him a hearing upon that day.
have not the least idea that his speech will
ever rend the Union of the United States asn-
der. Laughter
Mr. Gwin said he had no doubt that the re-
peal of the Fugitive Slave Law would dissolve
the Union. He thought nothing would Justify
the Senate in voting for such discussion
Mr.. Douglas said he should Insist upon ad-
herring to the practical matters of legislation
before the House."
Mr. Butler said ] suppose NAV consider
myself included in the appeal which has been
made to the gentlemen of the South by the
Senator from Illinois, Mr. Shields and per-
haps no one is more adverse to interfering with
this debate have stood openly here and
seemed under the censure Of the Senate at the
time did so, and have opposed any vote or
measure which looked like the suppression, or
attempt to suppress petitions or the right Of
debate. | have long seen that this effort to
arrest agitation by attempts to exclude petit
tons or to control debate is vain. | know it
will go on ! believe the honorable Senator is
pledged to agitate. However, that may be an
other matter Therefore | would be perfectly
willing as he is bound to do it, and under very
high obligations to his constituents, to give him
an opportunity to speak upon this subject at
any time when the other side can be heard
Give us "a fair field and clear sky upon
this subject, and fear nothing But feel
myself embarrassed upon this subject by the
peculiar attitude and peculiar iuncture of al
fairs at this time | feel that am in conflict
between sense of duty, | may say to every
Senator, and a sense of courtesy; because if
this subject is taken up, the subject cannot be
discussed without illusions, and the Senator
himself will be bound to make illusions to
South Carolina and her laws
Mr.. Sumner, lin low voice. do not in
tend to do it.
Mr. Butler Well sir, may get clear. per-
haps: but you will give it to other gentlemen
Laughter
MIR. Weller lin his seat | do not know
how it can be discussed without it,
Mr.. Borland said, that while he would not
say that the question extends to the question
Of the integrity of the Union, he would say that
its discussion would materially affect the prac.
teal business before the Senate Deemine
that sufficient he would vote against the con
sideration of the resolution at this time.
The question being then taken upon the mo
! ton by Mr.. Sumner to take up his resolution
it was rejected-yeas 10, nays gas follows
YEAs-Nlessrs. Clarke, Davis, Dodge of Wis
consin, Foot, tlamlin, Seward, Shields Sum
ner, Upham. and Wade-lO
NAys-Messrs Borland Brodhead Brooke
Cass, Charlton, Clemens, Desaussure, Dodge o
Iowa, Douglas Downs, Felch. Fish, Geyer
Gwin, Hunter, King, Mallory Mangum, Ma
son, Meriwether, Miller, Morton, Norris
Pearce, Pratt, Rusk, Sebastian, Smith, Soule
Spruance, Toucey, and Weller-32