Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-04
[coNcLupED.1

T. sir, as an humble member Of this body and
q Representative of the People, protest against
this disrcspcct which the President manifests
towards that co ordinate branch of Govern
mont II il more than disrespactfal for him
thus publicly in his message, before the world.
to deny the accuracy Of that decision of the
Supreme Court, and to call on ,,s to reverse it,
Nor does it become members Of this body to
sit in silence when the Executive thus attempts
to overthrow the official action OF the Judiciary.
1t is surely becoming each branch OF Govern
raent to keep within its constitutional sphere
It would be as excusabie in ns to withhold
appropriations to pay cficers Of the Presidents
appointment, whom we deem unworthy, and
thus control the Executive action by compel
ling him to make such appointments as we ap-
prove, as it would be to interfere with the
solemn decisions Of the Supreme Court IL
would be as proper for US, by our votes here, to
express our contempt for any act Of the Execu-
tive within his exclusive Jurisdiction, as it is
for the President to treat q decision OF the Jn-
dcial branch of Governments with disrespect.
Sir, the President has his constitutional
sphere Of datios; while he confines himself to
that sphere, we are bound to respect his acts.
The Judiciary has also its constitutional sphere
Of action, and is to he respected while acting
either; nor will consent that either shall in
terfere with our duties and when the Presi-
dent asks us to reverse the decisions Of the SUI
preme Court, will repndiate his suggestion.
We are compelled to take this position. If
the decision of the Court be correct we shall
violate the Constitution by complying with his
recommendation to pay those slave dealers for
the loss Of their anticipated speculations in
human flesh. We can, therefore, only comply
with the Presidents Recommendation by pro-
nouncing the decision of the Judiciary errone-
Gus; that the judges are incompetent to the
duties imposed upon them; and by saying to
the world that we will correct the errors of
that branch Of Government, the Constitution
to the contrary notwithstanding.
But, in order to induce us to grant this APP
preparation, the President informs us, that its
Justice was admitted in our diplomatic CORES
pondence with the Spanish Government asearly
as 1S47" And docs tho President suppose ms
sent here to carry out the views Of q Secretary
of State? Was such Secretary authorized To
speak for as a--to commit the nation to the
payment OF these Spanish pirates for the blood
and bones of freemen whom they were unable
to enslavel
Mr. Chairman, | am frank to say that |
am dissatisfied with thissuggestion OF the Pres
through all the various courts, and was fully
heard, considered, and passed upon, and by
them declared to be unfounded and unjust
In is47 Secretary Of State, endeavoring to
subyert the power aud influence of the Judici.
ary, in his eff ,ial correspondence with a
foreign Power admits this claim to be just,
which the Supreme Court had solemnly decided
unjust }. thereby apparently bringing con-
tempt upon the Judiciary, for maintaining what
they regarded as the law Of nations the Con-
stitution of our country, and the rights of hu.
msnity. Aud that disreputable act OF the
Secretary of State is quoted ~ an authority to
guide the independent Rspresen satives Of this
bsdy in the discharge of their duties. Sir,
with my whole soul repudiatc the PROPOSE
ton Why, sir, does the President believe the
Secretary OF State in 847 really constituted the
brains Of this House? Was he authorized to
think for ns have thousands Of constituents
who are not beneath that Secretary of State in
their estimate Of moral and political duty; and
hesitate notin saying that not one of them OF any
party, would advise me to sustain this claim.
Nay sir, they would condemns me for snch vote.
am responsible to them, and not 10 politi-
calIy repudiated Secretary Of State, for my
vote. Those constituents are the depositaries
Of power. They have right to demand that
shall carry out their views; but that Secre-
tary Of State has no right even TO ask an ex.
planstion oil any vote which may give.
Again, the President says that this claim has
been reported upon favoraby by committees in
both Houses Of Congress. Well sir, we ARE
not sworn to act in accordance with the report
Of committees | have shown the action Of
this whole body repudiating this claim BY an
almost unanimous vote This the President
~ t,,b 90, hat ha has
Quoted the report Of committee "a an anthor-
ity 10 guide M, while he would seem unwilling
that tho action OF the entire body upon full
discussion should havo any influence upon our
minds
Bat am willing to look into those reports
10 which he refers Thtt Of the Senate, ! be-
lieve, was yerbal--merely recommending the
payment Of $4,000 to these slave dealers.
Senators were too cautious to assign any rea.
sons for such Recommendation. They proba-
by rccollcc.ed the advice OF Lord Mansfield to
q provincial Judge, to state what bis judgment
was on each case, but nsUer 10 assign reason
for IL.
II is sometimes unpleasant to subject ones
reasons to the scrutiny OF opponents; and as tho
Senate avowcd no reason for their opinion, we
are bound TO suppose they had none TO assign
which was satisfactory 10 themselves. But the
Committee on Foreign Affairs OF this House
were less cautions in thcir action, and impru-
IDENTIFY, "a think, put their views on paper.
On that the President relies with much conf
dence and will therefore ask attention 10 it
Having weighed tbs remarks which intend
10 make upon that report ask the attention
Of the Representatives from the State OF Penn.
pylvania and il do injustice 70 the author Of
that report, who was a member from that
State ID will be their duty to correct me- and TO
viudicate him
Sir, on the first page Of that report lind
grors misrepresentation, hagrant falsehood--
one that IL important in considering the case
II sets forth that these negroes and the schooner
Ainistad was taken possession of by Lieut..
Gcdney on the 26th August A. D 1910, when
the record Of the District Court OF the State OF
Connoctcnt and every newspaper then pub
hshed in that part of tho country, the history