Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-22
C0nqrGssioaal.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
In senate-Tuesday. February a. lax
FIRST SESSION.

/ =" SCnatc-Auesuay, reUTudTy -, lSOfs
Mr.. BAYARD presented five memorials, pray
ing that Congress in the establishment of Nebras.
ka and all other territorial governments, will
adopt The policy of non-intervention with slavery
IN the Territories.
On motion by Mr.. PEARCE,
Resolved That the President pro tenpore of the Senate
I'LL the vacancy In the regency Of the Smithsonian Institu-
on occasoned by the expiration of the term OF the Hon.
~. N. CHARLTON, of Georgia.
The CHAIR appointed the Hon. Mr. DoUGLAs.
STEAM FRIGATE.
/ Mr.. GWIN, from the Committee on Naval Az.
ialrs, reported bill 10 authorize the construction
OF SIX steam frgates; and said that he would to-
morrow, or some early day, move 10 take it up for
/ consideration.
NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Mr.. BAYARD, from the Committe on rublic
Buildings, reported bill for the completion of
| the treasury buildings. by extending its front
north on 10Th street, 10 have a front of 470
| eet on that street, and west on the north and
| south.ends 27O feet, with building running north
and south and facing west the immediate enclo-
sure OF the Presidents House. 40 feet long form
ing a paraelogram OF 470 by 270 feet. Part of
this building TO be set apart for the use OF the
STATE Department. Also, building of the sane
size on the grounds now partially occupied and
| covered by the War and Navy Departments. 1t
| approprates 100000, commencement for
! the work.
| LAND FOR THE INSANE.
| On motion by Mr.. FOOT the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration of the bill granting land TO the
several States for the support and maintenance OF
| theindigent insane
Mr.. FOOT then addressed the Senate till one
o clock IN explanation and support of the bill. In
the course OF his remarks, he paid tribute OF gra-
| litude 10 The heroic perseverance, the sublime
courage, the earnest and never-faiiing sense Of
humanity which adorned the character Of the
e>iimabe lady Miss Dix) who had devoted her
| life 10 the amelioration of the most affecting vic
| Tins of mi>fortune-the INDECENT insane
| The bill was then postponed.
NEBRAsKA-sLAvERY
| On molten of Mr.. DOUGLAS, the Senate pro-
ceeded TO the consideration of the bill 10 establish
territorial government for Nebraska.
| The last clause in the l4th section now is in
| these words: ,
THAT the Constitution and all laws Of tho United
States, which not locally nappcabe shall have the
force and effect within the said Territory of
elsewhere within United States except the sth
ton OF the net preparatory to the admission Missouri
nto the Union approved March g. 1920 which, being in
consistent with the principle of by Con-
gress with slavery in the States Territories us
cognsed by the legislation 1850 commonly called the
compromise measures is hereby declared imperative
not to legsate slavery any Territory or State nor
to exclude 1t therefrom but to leave the people thereof
tons in their own way, subject only to the Constitution
| the United States"
| The question pending was on the motion of Mr.
| CHASE 10 amend the same by adding thereto the
| following:
"Under which the people of the Territories through
their appropriate representatives, may If they h pro-
| hibit slavery therein"
Mr.. CASS addressed the Senate for half an
hour in further reply 10 the personal observations
made yesterday by Mr. PETIT, and in support of
his position that Congress had no sovereignty in
| the Territories.
| Mr.. SUMNER addressed the Senate in oppo-
sition TO the bill. He said that he approached this
discussion with awe; the mighty question with its
untold issues, oppressed him. Like a porten,ous
cloud surcharged with irresistible storm and ruin
| 1t seemed 10 fill the whole heavens, making him
painfully conscious how unequal he was for the
occasion, and how unequal was all that he could
say 10 what he felt In delivering his sentiments
he would speak frankly, but he desired 10 say
nothing in reply TO what might have seemed
challenge for personal controversy by the sena-
tor from Illinois. Senators and Presidents by the
the side of this transcendent theme Were but
dwaris. This question not surpassed in
grandeur by any which has occurred in
tonal history since the Declaration of Indepen-
dence II was gigantic question in all its
| poets whether IN the extent of territory on the
| question ofquestions, which as far above all
/ others liberty was above the common things of
| life. This territory was immense, and in its pre-
sent pure and virgin character, and its geographi-
cal position, might well compare with the early
3
This bill excited particular interest. from the eff
| fort made in violation of solemn covenant to
| open this region to slavery. This territory was
now guarded against slavery by the Missouri act
This the settled purpose OF the bill, through
out all its various shapes and forms. This act
was TO be done on pretences founded in the sla
very enactments of 1850. While he in no way re-
lied on these acts, yet he did not consider them in
any way as a compact or compromise.
These acts did not pretend TO disturb the condi-
ton of the Louisiana territory; did not touch the
slavery question in New Mexico or Utah. nor in
any way supersede, annul or touch the Missouri
compromise. This proposition was therefore an
original one. This agitation was not the work OF
the friends of freedom They were in this con-
troversy on the defensive II was not the work
the abolitonists of slavery, but of the abolition
lists of freedom. This act was solemn infracton
of solemn obligations assumed beyond recall by
the south on the admission OF Missouri, and was
an unjusfable departure from the ancient policy
of the fathers of the Union.
He inquired into the nature of the institution Of
slavery, condemning il the grossest injustice,
and said this bill was proposition TO open new
market 10 the trafiickers in flesh, who haunt the
shambles of the south II was removed beyond
the feeble paation vouchsafed TO slavery. This
transgression could not be placed the shoulders
of ancestors. In Russia in India in CONSTANT
Hople, slavery was denounced, and confined reli-
giously 10 its present limits. Christian America
should be willing TO be taught by these examples.
Though il was a papable fact that all men were
not borne physically and mentally equal yet in the
Unborn natural rights Of man, the law Of God re-
cognised no distinction between persons--be-
tween Dives and Lazarus. He regarded the pro.
position that by opening new territory TO slavery
the number Of slaves would not be increased as
deusive as was also the idea that slavery would
moi be carried into Nebraska. He knew space
accessible to human avarice or human lust,
whether on mountain top or valley, where the pro-
hibtion of slavery, like the decaIogue, ought not
TO go.
In considering this question. senators ought TO
| regard right and not might. This repeal of the
Missouri act was solemn infracton of solemn
obligations assumed by the south in the admission
Of Missouri. II was compact between the slave
and free States. The north ought never to have
agreed 10 ii, but still il has performed its part 1t
had since then been accepted by The country. Its
authors have passed away. II had received
sacred sanction.
He then traced the history of the measure as
found in the journals ofCongress, and the writings
Of The day Gifts adoption TO show il was solemn
agreement for perpetual settlement. He APP
peaed TO senator's from Virginia not to set aside
the work OF Barbour and Mercer, and South Car
DINA not TO repudiate the action Of Lowndes and
Calhoun. He appealed TO Maryland and Della
w md Kan .kx IN ard he Of nf