Washington sentinel., 1854-05-04
House Of Representatives.
PUBLIC LANDS.

PUBLlC LANDS. ., I.
The SPEAKER presented the resolutions of
the legislature of Kentucky, asking an amendment
of the bounty land act of September, 1850. Re-
| lerred TO the Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, the resolutions ofthe Legislature of that
State, asking donation OF public lands for educa
tional purposes. Referred to the Committee on
Public Lands.
FLOATING SCHOOLS.
Mr.. VALLEY presented the petition of the
executive of Massachusetts, and three hundred
and seventy others, mostly members Of the legis-
ture of that Stale, praying Congress- in view Of
the great scarcity OF seamen, and the dependence
Of our navy upon our mercantile marine for the
supply of scamen 10 establish floating schools in
the harbors Of the country for the instruction of
seamen Referred TO the Committee on Com.
merce.
Mr.. FLORENCE made an Intellectual effort 10
have the vote of reference reconsidered wishing
the petition sent 10 the Committee on Naval Al.
fairs which, he said, has the subject under con-
sideration.
CIVIL SUPERINTENDENT.
Mr.. VALLEY likewise presented memorial
from the mayor and two hundred and three other
| citizens of Boston, asking that the army may be
confined 10 military duties and that civil works of
the government may be superintendent by civilians.
Referred TO the select committee on the subject.
TERRITORIAL BUsTNEss-coIoRs.
The House resolved itself into Committee of
the Whole on the state OF the Union, Mr. PHELPS
in the chair. and resumed the consideration of the
bill to establish the office OF surveyor general of
New Mexico, TO grant donations to actual settlers
therein, and for other purposes
Mr.. HOWE yesterday, had moved TO strike out
| the word white" from the second section Of the
bill so as to give lands TO persons without respect
to color.
Mr.. DISNEY had moved to amend the section.
so as TO read I" That 10 every white male citizen
| or every white male above the age Of twenty-one
years, who has declared his intention 10 become
citizen" &c.
Mr.. SMITH. of New York. said he could no,
vote for the bill while the word whiteo remains
| in it. He believed that every man was bound to
prefer his religion above all things else, whether
II be superstitious or true false or sound. Such
preference he claimed for himself He believed,
on the authority of the Saviour, in the command
10 do unto others as we would have others 10 do
unto us This is the whole sum and substance of
Christianity. II the incarnate Son of God should
come among us, He would not, he believed vote
10 retain this word white" We cannot afford TO
be atheists; we must be men. We should be
careful not 10 wrong our fellow man, when sense
OF revenge follows wrong We should make the
divine standard the rule of our conduct He
would have that great black man, Frederick
Douglas, come into this hail. and speak on this
bill. He wished that Douglas could here, in his
rlch full voice, pour out the feelings of his heart
lie was sure the committee, by this means, would
pc prOuSul 10 repent CI tDelr purpose TO retain
the word white" He hoped the committee
would show themselves to be wise; benevolent,
and true men. He could not comprehend why
there should be such an insanity against color.
He loved TO recognise every man as his brother.
Mr.. HOWE said it would be unjust TO discrimi-
nate against color, whether of the pure Castilian
or mixed races, provided the persons were citi-
zens at the time of the treaty of Guadalupe Hi
daIgo; but whether citizens not, he was not
disposed to discriminate against them. Because
we deny TO the colored people political equality, it
does not follow that we should deny them The
right to live Such discrimination was unworthy
OF the age in which we live. He understood that
they are entitled 10 vote in some of the States Of
the Union II in his power he would extend the
provisions Of this bill to all, without regard 10
color, that they might acquire homes for them
selves and families.
Mr.. DISNEY said il seemed to him that this
discussion about phraseology was small affair.
The gentleman ought to know il is not competent
for Congress by any act TO deprive the inhabitants
of New Mexico Of any rights guaranteed TO them
by the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo, because our
organic law declares that treaties shall be the SUI
preme law of the land.
Mr.. HOWE was perfectly aware of that but
when, he said, we are legislating, granting lands
to certain persons, il does follow necessarily,
and by implication that the provisions of the law
shall extend 10 all Of the people
Mr. DISNEY SAID that the point in controversy
was merely as 10 phraseology He should con-
tent himself with the declaration that it is not
for State TO declare negroes citizens,
within the terms Of the Constitution. II may de-
clare negroes to be citizens within its own limits
but no further. He believed with the gentleman |
from South Carolina [Mr. KEITTl that this is |
government Of white people, and made for white |
people.
Mr.. HOWE asked the gentleman whether the |
bill would operate practically 10 exclude any per-
son formerly Mexican subject
Mr. DISNEY replied, il was intended to apply |
o every white citizen, under the treaty Of Guada-
upe Hidalgo, which is the supreme law Of the |
and.
Mr. WADE said he did not know what this
government has TO do with the color Of any man
lie was not sure that he himself would be con-
.hurch discipline [Laughter.I He denied that
no strict constructionists could find in the Con