The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-05-31
Congressional.
WASHINGTON, May 10.

Nebraska Bill
Mr.. Benton, addressed the committee
in opposition to the bill.
Mr. Giddings moved to strike out from
the House bill the provision that when
admitted as State or States, the said
Territories, or any portion of the same,
may be received with or without slavery.
as their constitution may prescribe. He
said the idea that we should legislate for
those who are to come after US, was alb
surd; the attempt to bind future Congress
ses was in vain; and he would resist the
attempt
Mr.. Clingham. | am opposed to the
amendment. Rejected-yeas So, nays
not counted.
Mr.. Mace offered an amendment, that
the Territorial Legislature shall have pow.
er to admit or exclude slavery at any time,
by law. He proceeded TO expose the
humbug announced here and in stump
speeches.
Mr.. Inglish. would ask my colleague
whether, if the amendment be adopted,
he will vote for the billl
MIR. Mace. will.
Mr.. Inglish. Then l will vote for the
amendment. The amendment was re.
jected-yeas 76, nays 81.
Mr.Parker offered an amendment chang
ing the boundaries, with view to en-
courage large free soil immigration to
Kansas to exclude slavery. 1t was re.
jected-yeas 66. nays 85.
Mr.. Flagler offered an amendment. that
"this act shall not take effect until the
Indian title to lands shall be extinguish-
ed" lie proposed it in good faith. as an
additional bill should not be pressed
through. 1t was rejected; yeas 63. nays "a.
Mr.. Fuller offered the following amend
ment. "The Legislature shall have pow
er to establish or exclude slavery, as to
them shall seem proper" As Nation al
Democrat, he should like to vote tor the
bill, but he would not, as at present ad-
vised, unless his amendment shall be a
dopted. In the spirit Of kindness, he ask
ed his friends who stood by him in the
thirty first Congress, to yield little to
Northern feeling.
Mr.. Riddle. am opposed to the a.
mendment.
1t was reiec,ed-yeas rs, nays 81.
Mr.. Elliot, OF Massachusetts, offered an
| amendment. that the Territories shall be
admitted as States without slavery. Re-
ljected-yeas AZ. nays not counted.
MIR. Campbell offered the Wilmot pro
viso as an amendment. lie said, there
is spirit abroad which will raise this on
banners, ii, with reckless hands. the Mis-
souri, Compromise shall be torn from the
statute book.
Mr.. Preston merely said he opposed it
and the amendment was rejected-yea'
so, nays not counted.
At o'clock, on motion Of Mr.. Rich
ardson, the committee rose. The House
continued in session until halfpast Il
O'Clock, when it took a recess until
O'Clock 10 morrow morning.
WASHINGTON, May 90.
Mr.. Harlan. of Ohio, opposed the bill
because it repealed the Missouri Compro
mise. The platforms OF both parties o
1850 are violated by the bill. Had
been understood that the Democratic part,
intended to repeal the Missouri compact
Pierce would now be in private life. ant
the Representatives +of the North who ia
vored the repeal would have their place
filled by others. lie held 10 the power o
Congress to legislate for Territories.
alr. Stuart, of.Ohio, being unable to ge
the floor, received permission TO print hi
speech against the bill.
I Mr.. -Staunton, Of Tennessee, considere,
that the Missouri act was like all othe
laws-repealable; and repeal was justiie
by the change of circumstances since il
passage.
MIR. Goodrich argued that the repeal Q
the Missouri act would be the end Of a.
other compromises. which would not b
considered binding by the North. Th
pretense that the acts of 1850 repeale'
that Of 1890, would be considered chea
and swindle.
Twelve oclock, the hour for closing tn
general debate. having arrived.
On motion OF Mr.. Stephens. of Georgi ia
all members who had not succeeded il
obtaining the floor, were accorded tn
privilege, to print their speeches.
: Mr.. Richardson having reported the bill
now made his closing speech. He reple
, to its opponents, and said the peopl
would render just verdict. for the prin
ciples contained therein must ultimatel
triumph. 1t gentlemen wanted a polltlca
fight. they should shave it. so Tar as h
was concerned. to their hearts content
; He said that the safety OF the friends. {
the bill, consisted in their standing to
gether. By so doing. they would atlrae
even the admiration OF their foes; but
foul play cause them to fall. let them ta
together. Let them ask no quarter, nc
show any, aad vote down all amendments
lie said, in conclusion. if our opponen,
intend TO fight out the bill to the bitter enc
we must stand by our guns. that's all.
Mr. Dean moved that the committe
Negatived-yeas sc, nays 90.
The Clerk read the first section of tn
bill, when.
: Mr.. Edgerton moved an amendmen
i substituting the bill heretofore passed b
the House for organizing the Territory
Nebraska, contending that this had cre'
ted no struggle or sectional difficulty.
: did not propose to repeal the Nilsson
Compromises, and yet contained more
J. the doctrine of non.intervention than III
one before the committee.
MIR. Craige opposed the substitute. ft
tha reason that he Drpferred Tho nrese,