Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-03-21
ComaressiOnal.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
IN senate--Monday, March 20, 1851,
FIRST SESSION.

a senator by the Legislature OF the state Oh MARY
land for the term of six years. from ana amer the
4th of March, 1855; which were read, and Or
dered TO be placed on file. .
Various petitions and resolutions OF o'aie ieg's-
latures were presented
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate
report from the Secretary Of War, transmitting
in compliance with resolution of the Senate of
the 18th instant a copy Of Lieutenant William
sons report OF his survey 10 ascertain practical
route for railway TO the Pacific ocean; which
was ordered 10 be printed, and referred TO the Sc
lect committee on that subJect.>
THE NEBRASKA BILL.
Mr.. BADGER rising, remarked that, as he ex-
pected, tomorrow 10 present petition from some
of his constituents against the passage of the Ne
braska bill in its present form, he desired to sub
nit some remarks in relation to the effect OF the
amendment which he had offered TO and which
had been incorporated in the bill. =
Southern gentlemen he said, had taken up the
idea that that amendment was detrimental 10 the
southern interest and that impression had gone
forth in consequence, giving an unfavorable tone
10 southern sentiment. He would say, as he had
said on former occasion, that, in his judgment as
a professional man, the act itself would have the
effect of leaving the Territories without any law
in regard TO slavery; its effect was not changed in
the least by his amendment. But as he deemed
II important that frankness should characterize all
their legislation, and in order that the possibility
Of misinterpretaton ofthe act might be prevented,
he had submitted his proyiso guarding against the
revival Of the Louisiana law.
He submitted further remarks on this subject,
saying that in the Nebraska bill Congress simply
desires TO confer the right of self-legslation on the
subject Of slavery entirely upon the people of the
Territory. II was thought by some Of his friends
that, in voting for this bill, he had conceded the
right Of squaiter sovereignty. This, however, he
IL ho nvttr that fhn ctr.
cumstances in which the people OF these Terrific
ries were placed it was proper and right that they
should be allowed 10 control their own internal
affairs.
Mr. BUTLER said that, by the Nebraska bill,
Congress had 'conerredthe legal power of legis-
lation upon all subjects upon the people of the Ter
rtories. Was there reasonable man, who had
read the BILL who would say that il intended 10 re-
vive the French or Spanish law of slavery? BY
desuetude, if nothing else, these laws had gone out
Of effect IL a custom grew up under The Missouri
compromise, by which these laws were disre-
garded, they became dead letter. II was his
opinion that the operation of the bill would be that
the territorial legislature would take no action on
the subject but leave it to the American citizens
who resided in the Territory, to act as they please
in regard to the introduction OF slaves This bill
was a recognition that Congress had exclusive ju-
rsdiction in the subject territorial government,
and that Congress could give TO the Territories no
more than was authorized by the Constitution OF
the United States. He had voted 10 give this
power 10 these Territories, because he had full
confidence that they would impress the principles
OF the American government upon the Legislation
Of the Territories Until they were ready to assume
the powers Of States. II there was any question
10 be made in relation 10 the freedom of slave in
these Territories, and he should demand his free
dom on the ground that he was free under a terri
torial law, the answer of the master could be that
he held the slave as property under higher law
than the enactment of a territorial legislature
under the great fundamental law OF the country.
Mr.. MASON remarked that the bill which had
recently passed the Senate would be received by
the American people as one ofthe most important
measures that had been adopted for many years.
The south had not come half way. but had adj
yanced 10 give tho north the band Of friendship.
The north had boldly: manfully, and in the spirit
of true Americans, come forward to repeal an
obnoxious law. The amendment in question was
inserted in order to make it clear that the south
had no intention to extend slavery into these
Territories. He was willing 10 yield nothing of
the rights Of the south. This odious measure,
the Missouri law, was annulled, and the Terrific
nv was left unaffected by any law on the subject
Of slavery. II was too much, that those who pro-
fessed regard for the Union should reject this
opportunity to cement it forever. This bill would
send forth to the world great principle, that Con-
press disclaimed Jurisdiction over this subject Of
slavery. When this bill shall go into effect, sec,
s,ionai division and agitation will be quieted and
settled forever. While the principle of the bill
was so salutary il was idle to contend about
details which did not effect that principle.
Mr.. BROWN said few words in justification
Of his vote against the proviso Of the senator from
North Carolina He had at first understood that
The only effect ofthe act upon the Missouri COM
nromise was 10 repeal it. If this had been done,
and nothing more, we should have stood on the
positon we occupied before the Missouri act.
The south claimed TO be restored to the rights
which she had in the Territories before the pas
-, ~ A,,r; oh hoA uo
gained this restoration, the bill just passed was
not worth rush. AT the time this amendment was
offered, he felt it was another concession from the
south and for this reason he had voted against it.
Mr.. CLAYTON explained his reasons for favor
inr the compromise measure of 1850 and oppos.
The amendment of the senator from North Caro-.
lima. He supported the former because il was a
,rue non-intervention measure. II gave TO certain
authorities in the Terriiorities the power TO pro.
hibit or establish slavery, as they saw fit, subject
70 the decision Of the courts. BY that course the
people of the Territories would have been driven
20 the courts for the settlement ofthe question OF
slavery This disposed Of the whole subject, so
far as the United States government was con.
cerned But the Nebraska bill with the senators
amendme nj referred the question to the people, TO
come back again by and by for the consideration
of Congress. The latter involved direct interven-
ton BY Congress- and established squaiter sover-
eighty.
Mr.. STUART, in tho course Of his remarks,
said, all that was done by this bill was 10 leave TO
the peope Of these two Territories the right TO
legisla,c for themselves; and this principle was
established no further than these two. Territories
were concerned, He would not have voted for
a section Of this bill, had he moi believed in the
right of Congressto legisate for the Territories.
There was indeed no need Of any action at all in
regard to slavery in the Territories He believed
that the laws Of population were such, that these
new Territories would be settled from the free
States. They would come into the Union us non
slaveholding States.
The Senate then went into an executive session
After some time spent therein, the doors were
opened,
And the Senate adjourned
House Of Representatives.
The SPEAKER laid before the House com
municaton from the Navy Department, transmit