New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-07-06
THE DAILY CRESCENT.
Congressional.

SENATE.--SeyeTal House bills were put under
way,
Petitions were presented. Resolutions were
next in order, and y great number presented.
Among them several by Mr. Bell, of Tennessee /:
Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State
of Tennessee, in favor of the passage of a law
suspending the duty on railroad iron for two
years after the works Of n railroad shall have
commenced operations. Resolutions of the same,
in favor Of grant Of public land, or a lean OF
Government credit to aid in the speedy compile
ton of q railroad to the Pacific, and suggesting
Memphis, in that State, as central terminus
for said road Memorial of the same, asking
the passage of act to enable the State to levee
the east bank Of the Mississippi river from the
Kentucky line to the line of the State of Missis-
sppi, 50 as to keep that river within its channel
and thus to prevent the constant change which
is occurring in the Mississippi between the
mouth of the Ohio aad Memphis. Resolution
of the same, in favor cf the passage Of law al
lowing pension to the officers and soldiers who
served in the war of 1872 with Great Britain,
and the various Indian wars Resolution of the
same, in favor of the passage of an act that will
secure to the mounted volunteers, called into
the service OF the United States during the Next
can war, payment for horses and equipments
lost in that service, Also, petition Of nhabi.
tants of the city of Nashville, editors Of the
various newspapers Of that city, and others
praying the reduction of sea postage on letters
at as early date as it may be safely accom-
plisbed all of which were appropriately re-
ferred
Mr. Geyer, of Missouri, moved to reconsider
the vote by which the Senate refused to order
the engrossment of the bill for the relief of the
claimants of the private armed brig Gen Arm
strong, which was entered on the Journal
Mr., Clayton then said he had the honor to
submit resolution to the Senate on the 81 Of
Now lact rtr ,lo
Relations to make certain inquiries in regard to
the African slave trade in the Spanish West
Indies That resolution was adopted by the
Senate, and he has now been instructed by the
Committee to report bill for the more cffectual
suppression Of the slave trade.
Mr.. Clayton spoke at ienSt IN e&pI&natlon.
He suih in conclusion, that the Committee do
ever be arrested by the operation of the eighth
article of the treaty of the 9Th OF August, 1912,
called the Webster and Ashburton treaty, by
which about eighth of our whole naval force
afioat has been employed on the African coast,
at an annual cost Of about 100000, having
captured only twelve Slavers in twelve years.
A portion of that squadron might always be
adyantageously kept on that coast to protect
our commerce, and put down piracy But the
greater part of all our disposable force for the
suppression Of the slave trade in the Spanish
West Indies, and it should not consist merely of
one or two heavy frigates, or sloops- of war. but
chiefly Of small steam propellers, of light
draught, mounting heavy gun on pivot, and
with men enough to enable them to carry any
pirate by boarding, We should faithfully fulfill
the stipulation in the treaty of Client, by always
using our best endeavors to promote the desira-
BILE object of the entire abolition Of this barbar-
GUS traffic; and a suitable measure to effect
that great object, the Committee report this
bill. Ii was read FIRST time, ordered to q sec
ond reading, and ordered to be printed for the
use of the Senate.
Mr. Chase, Of Ohio, gave notice of his inten-
ton to ask leave to introduce bill to prohibit
slavery in the territories of the nited States
The Senate proceeded to consider the motion
made by Mr. Rockwell on the 22d ult, to refer
to the Committee on the Judiciary the petition
then presented by him from twenty-nine hun
dred citizens of Massachusetts,, praying for the
repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law
Mr., Jones, of Tennessee, addressed the Senate
at considerable length, in speech in which he
reviewed an address recently issued by several
Senators and members of the House of Repre-
sentatives on the passage of the Nebraska and
Kansas bill.
Mr.. Rockwell defended the petition which
was under consideration and those who signed it.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, briefly responded
Mr.. Brodhead addressed the Senate.
Mr.. Sumner followed in an elaborate speech
An exciting debate occurred, in the course of
which Mr.. Butler, of South Carolina, said he
would ask the honorable Senator from Massa
chusetts, who presented it, fMr RockwelD a
question:; and | believe, from the impression
which he made on me to-day, that he will an
swer it. II we repeal the Fugitive Slave Law,
will the honorable Senator tell me that Massa-
chusetts will execute the provision of the Con-
stitution without any law of Congress? Sup
pose we should take away all laws, and devolve
upon the different States the duties that proper
ly belong to them, | would ask that Senator
whether, under the prevalence of public opinion
there, Massachusetts, would execute that pro-
& vision as one of the constitutional members of
this Union? Would they send fugitives back
to us after trial by jury, or any other mode
VIII this honorable Senator [NIr Sumner) tell
me that he will do it,
Mr.. Sumner: Does the Honorable Senator
ask me if would personally join in sending a
fellow man into bondage? sis thy servant a
dog, that he should do this thing %
Mr.. Butler: These are the prettiest speeches
that ever heard daughter He has them
turned down in a book by him, l believe, and
he has them SO elegantly fixed that l can not
reply to them. daughter They are too deli
cate for my use. Renewed laughter.] They
are beautiful things; made in a factory of rhet-
, oric somewhat of peculiar shape. But, must
be permitted to say not of d definite texture.
= Now, what does he mean by talking about his
not being a dog CONTINUED laughfer1 What
has that to do with the Constitution, or the CON
stitutional obligations of State Laughter ]
Well, sir, it was beautiful sentiment, no doubt
as he thought, and perhaps he imagined he ex-
pressed it with Demosthenian abruptness and
elequenee. Laughter asked him whether
he would execute the constitution of the United
States without any fugitive slave law and he
answered me, is he dog
Mr.. Sumner: The Senator asked me if
would help to reduce fellow man to bondage
answered him.
Mr., Butler: Then you would not obey the
constitution. Sir, Cunning to Mr.. Sumner,
standing here before this tribunal, where you
awore to support it, you rise and tell me that
you regard it the Office of dog to enforce it
You stand in my presence as a coequal Senator
and tell me that it is dogs office to execute
the constitution of the United States
Mr.. Pratt: Which he has sworn to support
Mr.. Summer ! recognize no such obligation
Mr.. Butler; know you do not. But no.
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