Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-14

Senate, Tuesday, March IA, 1854.


Senate, Tuesday, March IA, 1854.
Mr. Everett presented the mammoth memo.
rial, signed by three thousand and ffty minis.
tiers of the Gospel, Of Massachusetts,, protest
ing in solemn and earnest terms against the
passage Of the Nebraska and Kansas Terrific
rial bill. He spoke 10 high terms Of the sim
cerity and high character Of the estimable
and reverend gentlemen who signed the me-
mortal. He moved that it he laid on the
table
. The motion was agreed to.
Subsequently, Mr.. Douglas called for the
reading Of the memorial, and it was read.
Mr. Douglas said this memorial was re-
Spouse to the appeal made by the Abolition,
confcderates Of Congress, and was natural
/, consequence Of the dissemination OF the afro
cious libels and SANDERS contained insthat ad-
dress. lt was time to rebuke and silence such
falsehoods. This memorial is presented now,
after the measure has passed from this body.
II is q protest against the action Of the Senate,
which action was sustained by three-fourths of
the body. 1t denounced that action as u
breach OF faith, as violation of national ep-
gagements and as an act deserving and invo-
king the righteous Judgment of God. The
document was offensive to the Senate, and was
one which no gentleman could endorse without
violation of truth and honor. 1t was an at
tempt to fill up the tables Of the Senate with
offensive papers, which would be quoted here
after as records Of the Senate, as showing the
Senate had, by receiving, endorsed the accusa-
tions Of being traitors to God, to the country,
and to humanity 1t is time that this misera-
BILE electioneeriDg policy should be exposed and
rebuked.
Mr. Houston said he saw nothing improper
or offensive in the memorial, or anything in it
81 ok ~ .vkr .,,As m,
the Senate 1t was the right Of the American
People, singly or collectively, to memorabilia
Congress, and clergymen were no less citizens
than other men. He had arragned the bill rs
violation Of plighted faith and sacred treaty
obligations with the Indians. He had said, be-
fore it passed, that the repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise was as fragrant breach OF faith
as the violationof the treaties with the Indians.
He defended the memorial, and the right of
the memorialists to petition upon all subjects
before Congress, at length and said that this
memorial was an indication Of the agitation
which he had predicted would follow the pas
sage of the Nebraska bill.
Mr. Mason said the memorial did not come
from the petitioners in the character of citi-
zens, but as clergymen speaking in the name
of Almighty God. The Constitution recogniz-
ed no persons in such q character. They had
ldlo h6lQc bIlclT CuuIbCboE VI CluAcllo, ouQ do
sumed that of clergymen.
In that character the memorialists attempt
to revise the political action of the Senate,
and to call down upon it the vengeance Of AL
mighty God. He moved that the paper be not
received
Mr.. Butler said he had the highest respect
and veneration for clergymen, when they con-
fined themselves to their appropriate duties.
But these mem0rialists had come down to min
gle in the turbid waters of politics. and had
abandoned the religion they professed-
doctrines of peace, and of the lowly and meek
Lamb, and, as such, they deserved the censure
of the Senate for their conduct.
Mr.. Adams said that the South had labored
for thirty years under an act Of injustice and
oppression, and any agitation resulting from
its repeal was chargeable to those who had
originally imposed that unjust act AS these
clergymen had departed so widely from the
example of the apostles their act lost that re-
spect which they sought to obtain for it by rea-
son of their profession.
Mr. Houston followed, denying that the me-
mortal contained any invocation Of the judg-
ments of Heaven upon the Senate.
Mr. Everett said the memorial had been
presented to him but a few moments before it
was presented. He had not read it. He dis
claimed any idea of presenting a paper, know
ing it to- be offensive TO the Senate. He did
not believe the signers of the memorial intend
ed anything offensive to the Senate, or to any
member Of the Senate. He eulogized most
highly the purity and character Of the reverend
gentlemen who signed the paper.
Mr.. Petit followed, proposing that the
memorial be referred to the Rev. Henry Slicer,
Chaplain Of the Senate, to report to the Sem
ate whether the Nebraska bill did violate the
will and law Of God.
Mr.. Douglas followed in further denuncia-
ton Of the Abolition confederates, whose ad-
dress had called forth this memorial
Hr. Houston followed.
Mr. Seward justified the memorialists
Mr. Badger followed, and, on his motion, the
subject was laid on the table.
House Of Representatives, March IA, 1884.
Mr. Appleton asked leave to present the re-
monstrance Of more than 3 900 clergymen Of
New England, against repeating the Missouri
Compromise.
Mr. Boyce objected.
Mr. Hester, of Pennsylvania, asked leave to
the Pension Office, by the publication Of its
awards. Referred to the Committee on Pen
sions.
Mr. Phillips, of Alabama, asked leave TO pre-
sent the joint resolutions Of the State Of Ala
bama, declarative of the essential Importance
Of railroads, and recommending the repeal or
suspension Of the duties on railroad iron. They
were received, and referred to a Select Commit
tee of nine members.
The joint resolution yesterday submitted by
Mr. Bocock, explanatory Of the law regulating
the number Of the cadets TO DO appointed TO the
Military Academy ut West Point, was then
taken up.
The resolution was adopted, as follows:
Be ii resolved, Sr., That nothing in any act
Of Congress now contained shall be construed
to deprive any Congressional district in the
United States Of its right to q cadet ut the Mil
,ta.u oado,.v ~ Voot Point lint that wheu-