Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-21
Senate, Tussday, February q, 1854.

~ h "
Senate, Tuesday, February 81, 1854.
Mr. Bayard presented five petitions, praying
that in the establishment of Nebraska, and all
other Territorial Governments, Congress will
frame them on the principle Of non-interven-
ton by Congress with the subject Of Slavery in
the Territories
On motion by Mr.. Pearce, the President Of
the Senate was authorized to iii the vacancy
in the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian In
stitution, occasioned by the expiration Of the
term of the Hon. r. M. Charlton, of Georgia
On motion by Mr.. Foot the Senate proceed.
ed to the consideration Of the bill granting
land to the several States for the support and
maintenance Of the INDECENT insane.
Mr.. Foot briefly explained the bill, and in
feeling and eloquent terms pointed out the hu-
name character of the bill, and the moral he
roism Of the noble.hearted lady Miss Dix who
had go long and urgently pressed this motion
The hour Of one having arrived, the bill was
postponed, and the Senate proceeded to con-
slider the bill providing Territorial Govern
ment for Nebraska.
Mr.. Cass made some additional observations
in reply to the remarks made yesterday by Mr..
Petit
Mr.. Sumner then addressed the Senate
House Of Representatives. FEB. 81, 1854
Mr.. Warren, on leave, explained, in behalf
Of the Committee on Public Lands, that that
committee was not opposed to modifying the
Bounty Land laws; but that the bill yesterday
reported back by them proposed to make no
distinction as to length of service, and was
therefore deemed by the committee unequal
and unjust
On motion Of Mr.. Campbell, the House re-
solved itself into Committee of the Whole, Mr..
Olds in the chair
Mr. j. C. Allen, Of Illinois, addressed the
Committee in support of the Nebraska BILL
He commenced by answering the question,
What was the Missouri Compromise? He said
that Missouri was not admitted by virtue Of
the SO called Missouri Compromise. The Com
promise grew out of the excitement produced
by the admission Of that State
A line was drawn, north of which Slavery
should not 60, and by implication, south Of
which it might exist He argued that the pro-
hibition should not operate upon the States
formed out of this territory
He quoted from the language Of Mr.. Clay
to show that he had not of late years even ap-
proved of that Compromise
The power Of Congress to legislate upon the
subject had been claimed by the ghostly faced
Abolition hypocrites Of the North, without re-
spect to this Compromise; yet they now pro-
TESS to reverence it.
Mr.. Giddings. Will the gentleman permit
me to ask him question:
Mr.. Allen. When | have finished my speech,
| will answer any questions gentlemen may
please to ask me.
MIR. A. proceeded to show that the present
bill will, il passed, silence all interference on
the subject Non-intervention will be the
principe of our guidance
He dwelt upon the incompatibility of the
Compromises Of 1920 and 1850 He contend
ed that the former was intended to govern the
States after their creation and organization
which was unconstitutional, and should have
been, and was, repealed in 1850. The prinoi-
pie of selfgovernment was involved, and the
people would defend that principle
He maintained that both the Conventions in
Baltimore, in 1882, endorsed the principles Of
the Compromise Of $50, and, therefore, of this
bill. The friends Of this bill are not the pro-
ducers of excitement What they ask, was es-
tablished in 1850. They ask an adherence to
existing obligations Utah and New Mexico
were received on the terms now asked. The
present agitators are the men who prostituted
their places 10 Congress, the stump, the press
and the sacred pulpit, TO disseminate Adolf
tionism. He said such Abolition sgitstors
should be crushed out Of this Congress.
He avowed the belief that Slavery never
would 20 into these Territories There wonld
be three Yankees to one Southern emigrant
there
Mr.. Dent, Of Georgia, followed, and said
that he felt it to be his duty, though new
member, and unaccustomed to the business Of
Legislative bodies to oppose the Homestead
bill, now before this body. The bill is unfair
and unjust The pauper population of Eu-
rope are thus invited to come to our shores
Mr.. Dawson here stated that the provision
only embraced those here now.
Mr.. Dent proceeded. He would bestow the
lands upon none but those who had fought for
them. A mania for giving land away had
grown up and it ought to be checked. For
eign paupers rag.tag and bob.tails--fellows too
lazy to work--were TO receive this land. Rail-
road and other favored companies were also
receiving the lands. But he avcrred that the
Government II held them in trust, and should
administer the trust faithfully. The favor
shown to the new States was unfair The policy
was not democratic Neither the lands nor
the proceeds Of their sale should be thus used.
lie was in favor Of free trade, and wanted to
create no necessity for n tariff.
We owe debts--debts Of honor--to portions
of our own people Oar bounty land laws are IN
equal and unjust. Many are unrewarded Seek
out the men Of merit, and reward them, but do
not throw away your wealth.
The great idea OF Buncombe bills is TO carry
everything by logrolling; and private interests
are said to influence members; but he hoped
not He thought it would be better for the
General Government to make the roads itself
and then sell the lands at such enhanced prices
as they would bring He believed he could
speak the sentiments Of Georgia. Her people
would sanction no plan for giving away the
lands, not even to build Pacific Railroad, for
such a road would not be national, but section
al it would benefit the region through which
it might run.
He was the friend Of all kinds Of improve
ments, but he wished to see them made in a
legitimate manner. Railroad companies should
prosecute their enterprises rs other people do
their enterprises should pay.
"A L. nm, he