The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-07-27


s.
Mr.. BENJAMIN. Mr.. President
MIR. RUSk. VIII the Senator allow mo to
state my point of ordere / object to the re-
ception of that paper, first, because it is aot
addressed to the Senate, and secondly, because
it contains statements which are direspecsfui
to the South.
The PRESIDENT. The question then will
be upon the reception of the paper, and that
question is not debatable, unless by unanimous
consent
MIR. SUMNER. throw myself upon the
magnanirnity of the Senate TO make a brief
Mr.. CLAY. The Senator from Louisiana
has the floor.
Mr.. BENJAMIN. | am willing to yield it.
MIR. SUMNER. do not desire
MIR. TOOMBS. Does it require unanimous
consent to permit the Senator to procesda
The PRESIDENT. In the opinion of the
Chair, it does.
Mr.. TOoMBS Then if it does, object.
MIR. SUMNER. / believe | have the floor.
MIR. CLAY. The Senator from Louisiana
was recognised, and has the floor.
Mr.. SUMNER. WIFI the Chair be kind
enough to state how the matter stands?
The PRESlDENTA The Senator from Texas
objected to the reception of the paper which
has been read. That is the question before
the Senate A motion was also made by the
Senator from California, that the motion TO re-
fer the petition lie on the table The other
question is fret before the Senate.
Mr.. SUMNER. The Senator fron Califor-
MIA moved to lay the motion to refer upon the
table.
Mr.. CHASE That was withdrawn.
Mr.. BENJAMIN. The motion of the Sena-
tor from California was withdrawn, and after
the Senator from Delaware addressed the
Chair, / was recognised as having the fioor.
The PRESIDENT. That is true. The mo-
ton was withdrawn and the Seuator Fl ON
Louisiana was entitled to the floor. The gu es
ton now is upon the reception Of the paper o b.
jected to.
Mr.. DOUGLAS And that is not debatable.
The PRESIDENT. The Chair is of opinion
that it is not debatable.
Mr.. SUMNER. | ask the Chair whether
the fret question is not on the motion to refer
the memorial?
The PRESIDENT The Senator from Tex
as objects to the reception of one Of the pa
pers presented by the Senator from Massaahu-
sets.
Mr.. WELLER. That is not debatable.
MIR. SUMNER. Do | understand that that
paper cannot be received?
The PRESIDENT 1t is for the Senate to
decide whether it shall be received or not.
MIR. SUMNER. have no desire to press
its reception. do desire to press the memo
rial.
The PRESIDENT. The question, ther, is
on the reference of the memorial.
Mr.. SUMNER. / withdraw the paper.
Mr. RUSK. Do understand that the pa
per to which object is rejected?
Tbo DECIDENT Dooo +bo Coaofo- fr1r,
Massachusetts, withdraw it?
Mr.. SUMNER. / do.
The PRESIDENT. The question now is on
the reference of the memorial.
MIR. SUMNER. And now
MIR. BENJAMIN. have the right to &he
floor
Mr.. SUMNER believe have possession
of the floor. | desire to say but few words
Mr.. BENJAMIN. | will yield to the Sem
ator.
MIR. SUMNER. In the Impotence of the
Senate, do not desire to follow the discursive
address to which we have listened fron the
Senator from Georgia, MIR. DAwsoN,] or, the
Senator from Delaware, Mr.. BAYARD torch
ing the various points of law and of fact in
this matter, which has been SO suddenly brought
before us. My object is simply to set myself
right That can do. | know, sir, that can
set myself right always.
10 presenting this memorial, performed q
simple duty had also pleasure in its per-
formance Il was o memorial from an emil
nent society which has enjoyed much honor in
this country, and from which memorials have
always been welcomed in Congress, from that
early memorial signed By Bcnjamin Franklin,
down to the present time. And it urged q
prayer which am always glad Of an oppor-
tunity to urge.
When l had the honor to receive the memo
rial, some time ago, from the eminent Presi-
dent Of the Society, wrote to him, ackuowl-
edg;ng its reception, and suggested to hiC3 that
it would be important, in carrying cut the de-
sizes of the Society, TO accompany the memo
rial with such evidence as they could present
in relation to the specific grievance set farth in
the memorial. In response to that letter, /
received from DR.. Parrish the President TO
whom ! have referred, several pap srs which
accompany the memorial; and also, subsc-
quently letter from a gentleman of Della
ware. personally unknown TO me, and with
whom am not aware that | had had any 2re-
vious communication. As the letter from Del
aware related to this matter, and contaihed
what purported to be certificate OF facts re-
garded as important, | placed 1t among o'her
papers accompanying the memorial and, IN
der these circumstances, presented than all
Ii
pressions Justly obnoxious to Congress or dis
respectful to this body, did not take note Of
them at the time.
Such, sir, is my simple explanation of chose
facts And now with regard to one suggestion
that has fallen from the Senator from Georgia,
TMr. Dawson, that there are persons ;iere
who seek to arouse odum against the SouE' or
to create excitement and liberation of fee dng
there. | say distinctly, that am not orr Of
those persons, nor do believe that any och
exist. Sir, | desire no such thing. | d eire
Justice. s;mply-that is ell. wish to see this
Union, which binds us all together, a UniG of
peace and harmony, in fact and in name; out,
| above all, let il be Union where freedoil is
maintained by constitutional laws And per-
NIT me to say, that just so long as an enact
ment continues on the atute-book, which
| defes every sound principle of constitutional
law, and every axiom of free institutions Sen
ators must expect that ii will be met by the
strongest language Of reprobation which can
| come from honest hearts
| Mr.. BENJAMIN. Vow,
sir. the Senator from Massachusetts,, on ses eral
occasions upon this floor, has denied the abli-
CATION, as understand him, under the Ce1sti-
| tuition Of the United States to deliver up Sugi-
| tive slaves from the free States to the owners
| in the slave States | understand that Y be
the extent of his denial. | will respectfully ask
the Senator from Massachusetts to inform me
| if that is what he asserts!
Mr.. SUMNER The manner of the Ser etor
| from Louisiana is always SO kind and so 'uch
in conformity with the prophecies of dc 1ate,
thatsI shall have great pleasure in Answering
his question but should prefer to wait until
| he gets through.
| Mr.. BENJAMIN simply wish to inquire