Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-05-31
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
WEDNESDAY, May "a, 1854.
SEN ATE.

SENATE
Mr.. Seward presented numerous memorials in fla
of ship canal at Niagara Falls; also, ten
stranccs against the Nebraska bill, including one
from 1O5 Methodist Clcrgymen, and from 434 eler
gymen of Michigan.
Mr. Benjamin presented the resolutions of the leg
slature of Louisiana, the subject of the African
ization of Cuba.
Mr. Clayton boldly and repeatedly denied the truth
of the statements made to intention on the part
of Spain to Africanize Cuba, and expressed his
greet and establishment that distinguished Senators
should attempt mslcad the country the sub
ject He urged gentlemen to wait until our
government, until the President has spoken OH the
subject He concluded by repeating his willingness
to yield up the whole subject if it could be shown
him that the American Secretary of State, any
other man who ever in that Office acting under
the high responsibilities of that position will say to
the Senate and the world that he believes the story
of the emancipation of the slaves in Cuba
The Nebraska bill was then taken up and read.
Mr.. Douglas said it was the same bill as had been
passed by the Senate, with the words restored which
the Senate had stricken out of its bill.
Mr.. Clayton hoped the Senate would now vote
on it.
Mr.. Pearce in moving to strike out the provision
allowing foreigners who may have declared their in
tention become citizens vote and hold office in
the Territories, said that the Senate had voted this
amendment the Senate BILL The reason of it
to confine the right of suffrage to American
citizens, native and naturazed The right of suf-
frage peculiarly belonging to the character
of citizens and of other 1t controlled the in
tercsts of the country and ought to be exercised by
citizens only
He knew that the practice of the government in
this particular had been irregular. In the case of
the northwestern territory citizenship not re-
qured, but at that time there no federal Union
no constitution. There was no such thing as
citizen of the United States. There were then only
citizens of the respective States of the confederation.
1t right therefore, then to give the right of vot-
ing to residents 1t was coupled, however, with
condition of two years residence and freehold quail
ificati he wa IN he
Southwestern territory and afterwards to the terri
tory of Mississippi.
In 1908, Congress confined the right of suffrage
in Mississippi territory to citizens CT the United
States who property holders. The right of
suffrage confined to citizens in the territories of
Mississippi Arkansas Wisconsin, Iowa, Utah, and
New Mexico. A different course was adopted in
Oregon, Washington and Minnesota. In these last
cases. however, the subject seemed to have attracted
attention. and they ought not to be considered
precedents BY the terms of this bill aliens may
vote Immediately upon coming into the territory,
while officers of the army and navy who may be
there are not entitled to vote.
Mr.. Wa.ker.-The bill provides that persons in
the army and navy having residence elsewhere, shall
not have the right to vote in the territory from the
fact of being stationed there.
Mr.. Pearce said that the bill repealed the Missouri
restriction and conferred upon the people of the ter
ritory the right to settle the question of slavery for
themselves This bill gives to Aliens just arrived in
the country, the right to vote and determine the
question which Congress- unable to settle, had, as
last resort turned to the people Of the Terrific
rics. He unwilling to let any but citizens of
the United States have the right to vote this
any other question.
The debate was continued at great length by
Messrs. Brodhead Atchison, Toombs, and Mason,
the friends of the bill dec airing that the amendment
was of no practical importance, and that although
not generally approved of, they would vote for it
rather than risk the delay inevitable from sending it
back to the House.
Mr. Petit said that the bill, if sent back to the
House again. might be defeated, and it might not be
possible again, for years to come, to get into Con-
gress body of men who would settle this question
Of slavery as this bill proposed to do. Defeat this
BILL let the question go back to the people, and the
cauldron of agitation would again become heated
and boil for years
Further debate ensued, and without coming to
vote the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The House resolved itself into committee of the
whole on the state of the Union for the considera-
ton of the special order, 0he Pacific railroad blo
which was postponed till Tomorrow. Tho commit
tee took up the deficiency bill al
The committee resumed the consideration of the
Senate amendment appropriating half-milon dol
lars for the construction of works to supply Wash
ington and Georgetown with water, which caused
considerable debate.