Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-03-22
Thirty-Third consress.---ISiFst session.

Massachusetts against the passage of
Z the Nebraska and Kansas BILL The memorial was
laid on the table, and when folded appeared about
three feet long by one foot thick.
Mr. Pearcs and Mr. Pratt both presented mennori-
ais praying the Improvement of the harbor of Bati-
more, and the appropriation to it
( They both spoke of the urgency and national inn
portance of having that harbor made easy of access
and safe place of refuge.
Mr. Pratt moved its reference to select COM
mttee. s. .sssss sss
Messrs. w Walker and Adams opposed a, select COM
mftee, and thought it ought to go to the commerce
committee, who had charges all similar subjects.
The motion for select committee was agreed to-
Mr. Douglas called for the reading of the mann
moth memorial presented by Mr.. Everett He said
it was not respectful to the Senate and he desired
to say a word upon it. He then, IN tho strongest
language, condemned the statements of the memo
rial an atrocious SANDER on the Congress of the
United States. ss.ea
The memorial was read as follows:
To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatiyes of the United States in Congress assem-
bled -: ,s-
The undersigned, clergymen of different religious
denominations in New England, hereby in the name
of Almighty God in his presence, do solemnly pro-
test against the passage of what is known the Ne
braska bill, any repeal modification of the eX-
listing legal prohibition of slavery in that part of our
national domain which is proposed to organize into
the territories of Nebraska and Kansas
We protest against it great moral wrong, as
a breach of faith, eminent,y injurious to the moral
principles of the community, and subversive OF all
confidence in national engagements, measure full
of danger to the peace and existence of our be-
loved Union, and exposing to the righteous Judg-
ment of the Almighty.
And your professionals as in duty bound, will ever
pray, &c.
Dated at Boston, Massachusetts,, this 1st day OF
March, A. D., 1854
Mr.. Douglas denounced the language of the memo
rial disrespectfl to the Senate and denied the al
legations contained therein He commended that the
preachers had no right to meddle in political affairs
and said it was evident that they did not know what
they were talking about. He continued in very
violent strain to assail the memorialists charging
them with neglccting their holy religion, violating
its sacred principles, &c, by sending an offensive
document into the Z. S. Senate. He thought their
tables should not be piled with these libellous and
shameful products.
Mr. Houston said he saw nothing informal or mon
strous in the memorial. 1t dated the 1st OF
March, and the bill was not passed till the 4th, and
was therefore signed while the bill before the
Senate He also nothing in it which offered in
dignity to the Senate, but simply expressed the feel
ings of those who signed it. 1t was the right and
privilege of all American citizens to memorialize
Congress, in pursuance of which these persons had
expressed their sentiments in regard to bill which
they believed radically wrong. They charged that
it was violation of national faith and he had him
self said the thing during the debate. He then
proceeded at length to defend the pursued by
the c!ergynen and to deprecate the passage of the
Nebraska bill, calculated to the widest
element throughout the country.
Messrs. Mason and Butler followed in reply to Mr..
Houston and in opposition to the memorial.
MIR. Everett warmly defended the character of the
signers of this memorial, and eulogzed them men
of pure and upright intentions, and of the highest
intelligence and responsibility.
Mr. Petit suggested that the memorial be referred
to the Rev. Henry Slicer chaplain of the Senate,
with instructions to report whether the Nebraska bill
was contrary to the law of God Laughter
Mr.. Douglas again spoke denouncng the memorial
as attempt to put the legislation of the country
under the control of the clergy, at the same time
oh them
this subject.
Mr.. Seward contended that the motion not to re-
ceive the petition out Of order, because it had
already been received He therefore supposed it
would take the usual course and lie on the table.
He said that if the presentation of this memorial
wrong, it either i'll regard to time, place cir
cumstance, or the character Of the memoralists,
the argument which the memorial makes. He then
proceeded at length to defend the memorialsts and
to show that they correct in every respect.
Further discussion ensued, and after Exc utive
session the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
Rev. II. NJ. Dexter, of Boston, having brought
hither remonstrance :gainst the repeal of the Mis-
souri, compromise two hundred feet long, and signed
by over three thousand clergymen of New England,
he placed the same in the hands of Mr.. Appleton,
who, theSopening of the House this morning,
asked leave to present it.
Mr.. Boyce objected.
Mr.. Davis, of Rhode Island-Is it in order to ask
for the reading of the remonstrancc2
Spcaker.-lt is not-the presentation having been
objected to, the matter cannot come before the
House.
Mr.. Davs-Does it require unanimous consent?
Speaker-Such is the rule
, Mr.. Davis-It is an exceedingly unjust one.
The rcmonstrance carried out of the Hall by
a messenger.
Mr.. Hester introduced bill to prevent and ex-
pose frauds on the Pension Office, by advertising
the names and residences of pensioners Referred
to the committee revolutionary pensions
Mr.. Phillips presented resolution from the Ala
bama Legislature in favor of the repeal or suspen
sion of all duties and restrictions the importation
of railroad iron for roads in the of con-
struction, that may be constructed during the
next ten years.
He offered resolution that committee of nine
be appointed, who shall report the propriety of
either modifying said duty extending credit on rail-
road iron.
Objection made.
The resolution introduced yesterday to remedy
confusion in the appointment of Cadets caused by
the congressional dlstr1ctIng OF the several
States, was passed.
Mr. Florence presented memorial OF two hun
bred and thir.y-two workingmen, praying Congress
to pass a law forbdding military superintendent
over civil works.
The House resumed the consideration of the bill
granting lands to Wisconsin for railroad purposes.
Mr. Dean moved the previous question; where
upon the question referring the bill to the conn
mittee of the whole ordered to be put-yeas
107, nays 70.
Mr. Disney said to commit it would be fatal to the
BILL - 1879
The House refused to commit the bill TO the COM
mittee of the whole--86 against 50.
Mr. Cutting proposed amendment providing
that no title to land shall rest in said State, pa
tent issue therefor until twenty continuous miles of
road shall be from time to time completed
Mr.. Disney was willing to adopt the amendment,