Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-05-22
Congress.

ulAs AulOurneu.
HousE.-On motion of Mr.. Richardson,
the House went into Committee of the Whole,
(Mr. Odds in the chair.)
Mr.. Banks, of Massachusetts,, addressed
the Committee ON the Nebraska bill. He as
sumed that it was impossible for the founders
OF our Government to settle every question
that could in the then future possibly arise.
lie declared that it was not the true policy
OF the statesmen of the present time to bind
the future course of the people, or of the ter
ritory we may yet acquire. The power to set
tie these things, must always rest in Congress,
and must be exercised whenever an occasion
shall be developed.
Mr.. b. proclaimed that the right to acquire
territory, wherever that right could be found,
must also comprise the right to govern such
territory.
He claimed that there was no inequality, as
respects the North and the South, in eAclud-
ing slavery from the Territories now about to
be admitted. The North and the South stood
upon equal grounds. The South could not
carry slavery to Nebraska neither could the
North. The South enjoys privilege. under
Its own municipal laws, to hold men in sla-
very she cannot rightfully claim the privil-
eye of carrying her municipal laws into terri
tory the common property of all.
Mr. Banks admitted that the compromises.
so called, are but statutes, repealable at the
VIII OF Congress; but, he averred what Shy
lock may not legally exact, men of honor NAV
not feel at liberty to withhold. Pledges were
gwen, considerations were received, and the
arrangement was acquiesced in SO long as it
was profitable to the South.
Mr.. Banks dwelt with earnestness upon the
power OF the General Government to control
the territories. He had never advocated, but
ne mad never doubted the power of Congress
to institute the Wilmot Proviso.
lie would not defend the Legislature of his
State, nor its resolutions. They did not need
1t at his hands. Massachusetts had been as
sailed here. She had been complained of ::
but she had sustained her wrongs at the hands
of the South.
The North, he declared, was but resisting
the propagandism Of the South. The North
had not begun the present controversy, and
the North must not be misrepresented This
act legislates Slavery into the Territory in
view, and he would resist it. This bill gives
no sovereignty to the people, although it pro-
fesses to do so.
Mr.. Miller, of Miss, advocated the bill,
Mr.. Parker opposed it.
Mr.. Taylor, of Tenn, after fully and dis
passionately considering the question, said he
had come to the conclusion that the Nebraska
bill embodies elements which would prove ru-
lnous to the peace of the country, to the in
tereSts OF the South, and to the harmony of
the Union. 1t was a violation of the pledges,
both oral and written, of the two great parties,
and of the President himself.
Mr.. Wentworth, of Mass, defended the
North from the charge of having striven to
violate the Missouri Compromise, Justified the
New-Engiand clergy who had demonstrated
against its repeal, and opposed the bill.
Mr.. Meacham, Of VT, defended the New
England demonstrating clergymen and said,
in conclusion, he hoped if the Nebraska bill
is to become law, it will be passed on the
26th inst.-the day of the great eclipse-for
there will rest on it the blackness Of darkness
forever.
Mr.. Kerr replied, DENYING the right of the
church, as such, to interfere with the affairs of
State.
At II l-2, Committee rose, and House ad-
journed.
Friday, May 10.
SENATE.-In the Senate, Mr.. Cooper laid
on the table a substitute for the bill suspend
ing duties on railroad iron
| A resolution offered by Mr.. Slidell, was
/ adopted, directing Committee on Commerce
| to inqnire into the propriety of making suita-
bic Acknowledgements to the captain and crew
of the steamer Washington, for rescuing the
| passengers of the ship Winchester The pri-
waite calendar was taken up.
| The Senate passed bill for the relief Of
George W. Ridgely. for tobacco destroyed by
the British during the last war. Other pri-
vate bills were acted on, and the Executive
Session adjourned to Monday.
| HousE.-In the House, in Committee on
the Nebraska bill, Mr.. Churchill of Tenn.
| spoke in favor of the bill, and Mr.. Dean OF
| New York, against it.
| Mr.. Wheeler, of New York spoke against
the bill, and was followed by Mr.. Walsh oil
New York, in its favor, but denunciatory O
the administration. Mr.. Morrison, of New
Hampshire made speech against the bill, a.
did also Mr.. Benton, of Missouri
Mr.. Benton said, the whole of Kansas ii
adapted to slave labor, to the great staples
hemp and tobacco, and that within two hours
ride there is alarger STAKEHOLDER than Roanoke
ever saw. In his opinion there was a great
movement pending. He was not, however
in the confidence of anybody, and therefore
must grope his way in the twilight for the pur.
pose of guessing. He looked to contempora.
neous events, and found about the time thi.
bill was introduced that Mr.. Gadsden went tc
Mexico as American Minister. What arr
State secrets here locked up, are street talk il
Mexico. 1t is reported that Mr.. Gadsder
offered $50, 900, 900 for broadside of Mexi.
can territory, enough to make Ave or six
great States. This failed, but he has gone
back. Santa Anna is pinched at present. and
Gadsden may have better luck this time
Surprising this Territory acquired, slavery will
rush in, and then we will have the principle
of intervention, and the cry will be tc
Congress, " hands off, He had to saw this
scheme was no stranger to him. 1t was an
old acquaintance. He knew it in '46 and '4S.
1t is reported that Mr.. Soule has been author
lied to offer $3.50, 900 for Cuba, and if he
cannot get it, to kick up muss He saw the
two branches to this scheme. There may be
Others with which he was not as yet acquaint-
ed. But he had enough to stand on at pres
| ent
A question arose as to whether the time oc-
cupied by Mr.. Benton should be deducted
from Mr.. Knox's hour. The Chairman deci-
| ded it should.
Mr. Knox.-I am happy to yield to the gen.
| tlemen, whose remarks were of mole impor-
lance than anything could say. applause J
The Committee took a recess at half past
four until six o'clock.
On reassembling, Mr.. Everhart, (whig) of
Pa, seeing no opportunity to obtain the floor,
| got permission to write out and print Ne
| braska speech.
Mr.. Benson, (whig) of Me-, opposed the
bin.
Mr.. Knox commended that, so far from the
measures of 1850, rendering the Missouri com
promise imperative, they endorsed and re-
affirmed it.