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

able Senator from Massachusetts,; but, as
stated before, put the question with sincere
and earnest desire to ascertain whether he and
the gentlemen with whom he acts or whose
organ he is upon this floor, really recognised
any constitutional obligation on the part of
the free States, or on the part of Congress, to
provide for the return of fugitive slave from
the free to the slave States 2-whether that
obligation exists anywhere under the Constitu-
ton !--or In other words, whether this article
OF the Constitution was intended to apply to
slaves?
MIR. SUMNER. Before answering the ques-
ton OF the Senator, laughter, should like to
have him deal by me as he desires me to deal
by him. should like to have him tell me
whether 1t is in'the power of Congress, under
the clause Of the Constitution to which have
referred, and which is side by side with the
other clause on "fugitives from labor to pass
an act to secure to colored citizens of the North
their rights In South Carolina and Louisiana!
The Senator must Gaslcer that question before he
can confront tAaS discussion.
MIR. BENJAMIN. My object is answered,
sir.
Mr.. CLAY. Exactly. Do net say another
word.
Mr.. BENJAMIN. imagine, sir, that there
is not man in the country who will not now
thoroughly understand the object for which
put the question That object is entirely an
swered. To plain respectful inquiry put to
the Senator from Massachusetts, in relation to
his understanding of the provision of the Con-
stitution about which he declared his senti-
ments upon this floor, and in relation to which
he has always said that his sentiments have
been misconstrued, he has answered by sub
hitting to me series Of inquiries. answered
the first, sapposipg that upon my answering
that, he would then be willing to answer my
question. Instead of that, fnd myself put
upon the stand. shall, therefore, decline fur
MIR. GWIN. / move that this subject lie on
the table.
Mr.. SUMNER. desire TO sag one aoord. I
haze the floor belieUe.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator
from California moves that the question lie
upon the table.
Mr.. SLIDELL. IF the Senator from Massa-
chusetts has no right to proceed but by unani-
nous consent, object.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator
from California moves that the petition lie On
the table
Mr. CLAY. The subject
Mir. SUMNER. Haze not the foora
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ques-
ton is not debatable
Mr.. SUMNER. / call for the yeas and nays
upon it.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
Mr.. BUTLER, when his name was called
said: | answer ono" | want everything tC
come Let the crisis come as soon as it can.
The question being taken by yeas and nays
resulted-yeas 81, nays las follows:
NAYs-Messrs Adams, Allen, Atchison
ID soLk
Brown, Cass Clay Clayton, Dawson Dixon
Dodge of Iowa, Douglas, Evans, Fitzpatrick
Geyer, Gwin, Houston, Hunter, Johnson. Jones
Of Iowa, Jones of Tennessee, Mallory, Mason,
Norris, Pettit Pratt, Rusk, Sebastian, Slidell
Stuart, Thomson Of New Jersey, Toucey, and
Weller-37.
YEAs-Messrs. Butler, Chase, Dodge Of Wis.
consin, Fessendep, Fish, Foot, Gillette, Hamliu,
James Rockwell, Sumner, Toombs, Wade, and
| Walker-l4.
So the motion was agreed to.