Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-07-21

and in every case defeated-Franklin Pierce
uniformly voting with him. Mr., Morris, Of
Ohio, for example, moved to strike out from
the second resolution the words, moral and
religious" with a view Of exempting from
denunciation the moral and religious discus
sion Of Slavery; and this seemed so reason
able. tnat even plr. Ducnanau recorded his
name in favor Of it, but it was lost-Frank-
lin 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 sucn freedom was exercised (;
but this was rejected, we believe. by the same
vote.
The first four resolutions, with some slight
modification, were then adopted-Franklin
Pierce recording bis vote in favor of every
one Of them.
When the fifth resolution came up. assert
ing substantially that efforts by the People Of
the States or the States themselves to procure
the abolition of slavery in the District or Ter
ritories we're direct and dangerous attacks
on the institutions Of the Slayeholdirg States"
though all the States are made responsible by
the Constitution and Congress for Slavery in
the District and Territories. Mr. Pierce took
occasion to define bis position. This resolu-
ton, he said, was the ground on which this
contest was to be determined with, per-
haps. some modification. would present the
true issue here and to the country-an issue
which would raise, not a mere question Of ex-
pediency. but one Of a much hig gher charac-
ter, in which the public faith is directly in
volved" He then proceeded to sustain the
resolution in its length, and breadth, and to
vindcate the whole series as offered by Mr..
Calhoun against the assaults made upon them.
But, while Mr.. Pierce was anxious to put
through all these resolutions. Mr.. Clay and
other Slaveholding Senators thought the fifth
and sixth too sweeping and unguarded; and
he moved substitute, directed only against
interference by the citizens Of one State with
the institutions Of another, containing no dec
laration that attempts to bring about the abO-
lition Of slavery here "were direct and dan
gerous attack upon the institutions Of all the
Slayeholding States" but recognizing, in ex-
press terms, the duty Of Congress to receive
and respectfully treat all petitions, in dccOrous
language, against slavery in the District.
This substitute was adopted, with some slight
modifcatiJn-19 to 1S-Mr Buchanan aud
Mr.. Clay voting yea, Mr.. Calhoun and Mr..
Pierce, nag.
Subsequently the substitute was divided,
and its various parts amended and adopted
successively-Mr. Calhoun and Mr.. Pierce
generally voting together.
On motion Of Mr.. Preston Of South Caro-
lima, the sixth resolution Of Mr.. Calhoun was
laid upon the table, on the ground that this
branch Of the subject would be more appropri-
ately discussed in connection with the resolu-
tions introduced by him for the annexation of
Texas to the Union. The vote stood 80 to 9
this time Mr.. Pierce voting with the great
majority against Mr.. Calhoun.
January 8. 1888, two petitions we're pre-
sented. one against the annexation Of Texas
and the admission of any new State tolerating
slavery; the other for the abolition Of the
interstate slave trade. The motion to receive
was laid upon the table-Mr. Pierce voting
nan, in accordance with his policy. which was,
to receive all such petitions, and lay them on
the table INSTANTLY.
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 sovereign State was thus insult
ed BY the following vOte-yeaS ~. nays 8
Franklin Pierce voting, yea.
February 6. 1888, Mr. Norris presented a
resolution directing the Committee on the e-Ju-
dietary to inquire into certain matters pertain
ing to the institution Of slavery in the States
and Territories. and report thereon to the
Senate. Some Of the Slaveholding members
with their Northern allies, manifested desire
to refuse its reception. but the rules Of the
Senate forbade this Mr. Calhoun's resolu-
tions in December. had been respectfully re-
ceiyed, 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 disposition Of the Senate. he withdrew
his motion to print,
The Friday following. the resolution was
called mn and Mr.. Morris expressed desire