The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-15
Senate, Thursday, June 8, 1854.

VII L coocnucH sucInlGteu the f0ll0Wlng reSO-
luton, which was agreed to:
RESOLVED, That the COMMITTEES on Commerce
be instructed to inquire into the expediency of
making an appropriation for the purpose of
building light boat, and maintaining the
same on Alden's Reef lying off the harbor of
Portland, Maine, and substituting q steam
whistle for the fog bell on Cape Elizabeth,
Maine.
House bill for the relief of Thomas Frazier
was taken up, and passed.
The Chair laid before the Senate o report
from the Interior Department, communica-
ton respecting certain payments made in pur-
suance of a treaty with the Pottawatomie In
dams. Referred
Also, q communication from the Treasury
Department, transmitting a statement of the
accounts OF certain disbursing officers. Re-
ferred
The Senate then adjourned till Monday.
House of Representatives. June s, 1854.
Mr.. Haven moved that the debate on the
Pacific Railroad bill should close at two P NJ,
on Tuesday next, but subsequently withdrew it,
Mr.. Giddings arose to a privileged question,
and read as follows from the Union of to day,
being part of an article, No. 6 of the series,
"by An Old Fogy:"
"Those who, like the Abolition inoeudiaries
Parker, Phillips, Giddings, and others, are in
cessantly proclaiming their hostility to the
laws and the Constitution, and stimulating
men, women and children to violate them as
a sacred duty, in my opinion have no claim to
the protection Of those laws or that COnstitu-
tion They are the apostles Of sedition, violence,
and murder; they are fere nGture-wild beasts
Of the forest, knowing no law and no restraint
but their wild, ungovernable instincts; and,
like dastardly midnight providers, after firing
the train, sneak to their holes, leaving their
wretched dupes to become the victims OF these
acts which they themselves have stimulated
Is there no law that can reach these cowardly
incendiaries who, after throwing the frebrand,
skulk away in darkness to enjoy the blaze +?
And are those who on the floor of both Houses
of Congress, openly declare their disafection to
that Constitution they have sworn TO support
and maintain, worthy of seat in the sacred
halls of legislation, when any act should ema-
nate from that source? These are questions
that must be answered sooner or later, and the
sooner the better"
Mr.. G. said this was the language of an
officer of the House, and this was the tenor Of
many of the articles of the Union within the
last ten days Senators are assailed and threat
ened, and members of this House also.
He said he was in small minority here and
it was for the majority to determine whether
to assume the responsibility for such language.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, thought no q1es-
ton of privilege was involved
MIR. Giddings cited as precedent the case
of the New York Tribune, when its reporter
was expelled, few years ago, for ridiculing a
member from Ohio. He also presented res
olution reciting the offence of the editor of the
Union, and ordering his exclusion from the
Hail.
Mr. Olds said Mr.. Giddpgs had come here
asking protection, but had not scrupled, when
surrounded by a Boston mob, to charge his
colleagues on this floor with bribery.
Some debate followed in relation to the pro-
priety of entertaining the resolution which
the Speaker decided in the affirmative
Messrs Jones of Tennessee, Stanton of Ken
lucky, Clingman, Milson, and others, parsici-
pated in this debate.
Mr. Giddings said the paper using the lam
guage to which he took exception, was an or
gan of the Administration and the House
should determine whether such language
should be applied by it to members thereof.
His colleague should not call him to account
| for language spoken by him here or elsewhere.
That colleague was not SO powerful as that,
though he had been sufi GENTLY servile at the
footstool Of power.
| Mr.. G. asked no protection for himself but
believed the House should protect all its NOM
bers from insults and menaces. He desired
that a vote should be taken on his question by
yeas and nays, that the country and posterity
might know who was responsible for these
| threats of assassination.
Mr.. Odds replied at length, repeating the
assertion that Mr.. Giddings had, at Boston,
charged him, and other colleagues voting for
the Nebraska bill, with bribery, and declared
| C.I. r. Il. .
inception and in its expression. He denounced
Mr.. Giddings as an assassin, assailing reputa-
ton in the dark. He concluded by moving
that the resolution be laid upon the table.
Mr.. Giddings attempted to reply.
MIR. Olds. Let him 20 to Boston, and reply.
Mr.. Hunt. | think opportunity ought to
be given to him to reply.
| The question was loudly called for, and it
was taken by yeas and nays, but quorum did
not vote; and the House adjourned, without
further progress.
House of Representatives, June 10, 1854.
The House Immediately went into Commit
tee of the Whole on the state Of the Union,
| MIR Bocock in the chair.
MIR. Chastain, Of Georgia addressed the
Committee in favor Of the annexation of Cuba,
by means of negotiation. He declared that
the Authorization Of Cuba would not be per-
mitted by this Republic North or South. This
is the best time for any contest that must come.
France and England have enough to do in the
Eastern hemisphere, in their contest with
Russia.
| At first he said, his sympathies were with
Turkey; but he changed his mind. Russia he
had found, upon examination, to be our friend.
Russia had never interfered with or denounced
American institutions. Russia had always
| nd mat nd a
oupbt TO wish we'll to Russia in its present
conflict and defeat to England and France,
who are seeking only their own commercial
advantage.
Mr.. C. concluded by stating that if negotia-
tion should fail to accomplish the purpose In
view. he was in favor of an open and direct
war of conquest. :.
The Committee then rose, and the commit
tees we're called upon for reports Among those
presented, were
A bill granting additional powers to the Cor
poration of Washington;
bill to reorranize the United States navy /;
A bill increasing the capital stock OF the
Washington Gas Light Company; and
A bill to more efectually provide against
frauds on the Pension office
Mr. Riddle, from the Committee on Patents,
reported back q memorial on the subject, ask
ing the United States to purchase from Peru
guano island, or to secure the guano trade on
a liberal commercial footing and ON his mo
ton it was referred to q special committee OF
seven.
Senate, Monday, June ~, 1854.
A message was received from the House OF
Representatives, communicating the proceed
| ings of that body on the occasion of the death
of the Hon. J. F. Snodgrass a Representative
g. xbo Ctata nf VIRGINIA