Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-23
CONGRESS-.
rHIRrY-rHrRD cosoRrss--yIRsr SESSION
Senate, ThursdaH Feb. %, 1854.

Senate, Thursday Feb. 90, 1854.
Mr.. Hamlin presented the credentials Of the
Hon. w p Fessenden, Senator elect from Maine
Tor six years from the 4th of March, 1853. Mr.
Fessenden appeared and was sworn.
MIR. Shields presented the credentials Of the
Hon. >. A. Douglas Senator elect from the
State Of Illinois, for six years from the 4th Of
March, 1853, Mr.. Douglas was sworn at the
called session of the Senate last spring, with
out his credentials being presented they not
having reached him.
Mr.. Seward presented the proceedings Of a
public meeting held in the CITY Of New York,
and like meeting held in Rochester, New
York, protesting against the repeal Of the Mis-
souri, Compromise
Also, petitions Of like character from On
tario, Niagara, and Orange counties N. Y.
Mr. Chase presented similar petitions from
citizens of various counties in Illinois and Ohio
Mr. Foot presented like petition from the
State of Vermont.
Mr.. Brodhead presented numerous petitions
from Pennsylvania Of a like character
Also, several petitions against the removal
of the United States mint from Philadelphia.
Mr.. Johnson reported bill for the relief Of
settlers on lands reserved for public purposes
and the same was considered and passed
Mr.. Pearce, from the Committee on the Ii
brary, 10 which was referred the message OF
the President concerning the volumes contain
ing the reports Of the juries, and illustrated
catalogue Of articles exhibited at the Worlds
Fair, London, which volumes were presented
by the British Government to the United
States, reported q joint resolution, accepting
the volumes presented by her Britannia Males
ty's Government to the United States and the
same was considered and passed.
Mr.. Brodhead introduced joint resolution
authorizing the late experimenting clerk Of the
census Mr. Kennedy to nse certain statistics
on. file in that Office, in the preparation Of a
book now in course of publication by him.
Referred to tho Committee on Printing.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
OF the bill to establish a Territorial Govern
ment for Nebraska
Mr.. Toombs said he came to the considera-
ton of this question with a heart full of graft
tude, that, after conflict Of years this great
inquiry WINS about to be settled, not by o tenn
porary expedient but on the broad principles
of the Constitution and right. There had beon
marked difference in the course Of argument
pursued by the friends and the opponents Of
this bill The Free Sellers, who live, and move,
and have their being in excitement and agita-
tion, had revived their old speeches against the
Compromise. The Senator from Massachu-
setts not only maligned the people of the
South, but also those of his own section.
The Senator styled all those who did not
agree with him as white slaves. II was libel
upon the North to assert they were opposed to
the principle Of this bill. Recent events had
shown there were men who, when CALLED upon
TO associate politically with Free-Soilers and
Abolitionists refused to do 30, and rejected
Office as the price of the bargain. One hum
dred thousand voters Of New York had declared
the same
The question of this day was the old one of
the right, power, and expsdiency Of Congress
to interfere with the people Of the Territories
in the regulation Of their own domestic con-
Germs. Who were they who spoke now of
honor, obligation, and compact? They were
those men whom no oaths can bind, no honor
govern, no obligation prevent them in tho exc
cution of their fell purpose
The Senator from New York, when Governor
Of that State, and sworn to execute the Consti-
tuition of the United States and of his own
State, refused to surrender fugitive from JUS
tice, on the ground that slave was not the
subject Of q felonious asportation And yet
they speak Of oonpacts Some Of them knew
little Of compacts-pure coalitions, by means
of which they have succeeded, in the only man.
ner possible, in getting seats in the Senate.
The fact of such men speaking 60 boldly upon
honor, and faith, and inviolability, disclosed
that they we're insensible to shame. He said
he would consider this question in four aspects.
/. That this bill was Just, constitutional, and
wise, and ought to be adopted
?. That its principle has received the acqui-
escenoe Of nineteen twentieths Of public senti-
mont Of the United States
3. A reply to objections urged against this
bill.
4. A reply to the objection that this bill was
departure from the ancient policy of the Uni
ted States, against the extension of Slavery.
He proceeded at length TO elucidate and en-
force these points, denouncing in no measured
terms Of reprobation all those who had oppos-
ed this bill on the ground that il was the ex-
tension Of Slavery.
House Of Representatives, Ftb %, 1854.
Mr.. Wheeler, Of New York, asked leave to
present, and have read and referred, com.
munication from the President Of q meeting Of
mechanics and others, in the city Of New York,
on Saturday evening, February 10, 1884, in
opposition to the repeal Of the Missouri Com
promise; but Mr. Cngman, and Mr. Taylor
Of Ohio, objected, and leave was refused.
A communication was received from the
War Department, transmitting copy Of the
Army Register which was laid on the table,
and ordered to be printed
Mr.. Warren, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported back, with amendments. bill
granting lands to the State Of Arkansas for
the purpose Of making railroad; which was
laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.
MIR. Stevens Of Michigan from the same
committee, presented bill to establish q land
Office at Lower Peninsula in Sheboygan dis.
trict, Michigan.
Mr.. Letcher, Of Virginia, opposed the meas
ure
Mr.. Disney explained and supported il.
Mr.. Wentworth also supported the bill, be-
lieving that the protection Of the timber on tho
lands required the establishment Of such an
Office.
The bill was finally ordered TO be engrossed,
and read third time and passed.