Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-02-24

The future fate of this nation was deeply in
volved and dependent on this measure. This
act of Legislation was destined TO produce
great effects. Congress now had control
over 1t. 1t could transmit to the future peace,
harmony and prosperity on the one hand. by
rejecting this bill, or anarchy, dlscord and
civil broi by passing 1t. Let Congress a.
vert the dread alternative. The Senator
from Connecticut had intimaed that the
Presidency had something TO do with this
measure. lie knew not how that fact was
but he stood in opposition to the minority
Several distinguished Senators had been
named for that office. among them senator
from South Carolina Mr.. Buffers from Nlr-
GINA Mr. Hunter; from Illinois Mr. Doug
los :; and himself lie thought lc could best
illustrate the feelings OF each of these Sea-
ntors. with respect to tins mitter, By recItiug
an auecdote It WAS customary at one time,
90 Georgia, for magistrates assembled IN
quorum courts 10 iill all vacancies among
Justices Of the peace, during the recess of
the legislature. Z he muster-houuds veic
then called company beats. On one ooca-
sion a cincy happened in the magistrates
IN the beat Of Capt. Waters An upright.
honest. robust, athletic I1shman named Ycct
was candidate for the vacancy. ana be be-
ing a gentleman accustomed To giving his
friends a tapping on the head on all occa-
sions whore they opposed him. be was a.
yised to attend the court. he did so. and
secured the favor of two OF the Eve Justices.
Toward the close of the day, and az Sltur-
day night drew on, one Of his friends sad
" oh, there is a vacancy in Capt Wafer'
beat; who shall we appoint = his other
friend Immediately answered -" Sure md
yonier is Nr Yeet, who lived there -ho can
recommend SOME onen Ycct WIS therefore
called up and asked If he knew any man in
the beat whom he could recommend TO I'LL
the vacancy ne the Justices Of the Peace
Yccf responded, May il rlase yer honors,
I've lived in that same bate these fifteen
years, and know every men, woman and
child who liver lived there, bat now mi spike
to yer honors Just as if wasnt there at all.
and didn't know anything in reference to it,
and dnl ftcner mnu ia the whole bato
than mescIf for the place" Loud laughtorJ
Mr. Wolar. Doyou apply that TO your
self? lLauahter)
Mr.. Houston. No, I say Tint the feel
ing which, doubtless. is entertained BY 40
those gentlemen who are named for the
Presidency Laughtcr.)
The question REQUIRED on Nr. Douglass
amendment to the lth section, aud it was d.
dopied as follows:
leas-Messrs. Adams, Aich'son, Bayard,
Bell, Benjamin, Brodhead, Brown, Butler.
Cass, Clayton. Dawson, Dixon, Dodge. Go- .
wal Douglas. Evans Fitzpatrick Geyer.
twin, Hunter, Johnson, Jones Iowa Homes .
Tenn Mason, Morton Norris Pearce, Pot .
IT, Pratt Sebastian. Slidrll, Stuart, 1homp-
son. tKy.l Toombs Weller, A llinms-3j.
Nays-Messrs Allen, { hasc, Everett
Fish Fooie, Houston, Seward Sumner,
MIR. base moved to amend the section as
it now stood, by adding thereto the following
words " Under which the people of the
Territories, through their appropriate repre-
senta'ivcs may, # they see tit prohibit
Slavery therein" lie said the bill was a,ov- +
eddy based on the principle of leaving the /.
question to the people to decide for them-
selves. He desired now 10 provdc that th r,'
might DE no difference hereafter as 10 the
meaning of the blli, TINT the people had the
power TO protect Themselves from Slavery
Mr.. Pratt sal if the object of the Scnltor
really WINS To give the people iull power,
why did he moi insert 10 his amendment after
the word prohibit, the words or iuIrolucc2'
It would then eav them the power To do ci.
ther.
Mr. Jones Tenn said the Senator either
sought to perfect the brl or embarrass ill.,
If the amendment was adopted would the
Senator vote for 1t; The Senator refused
to answer. 1t was clearly an attempt To en-
bnrrass the bill, and the friends of the meas.
ure ought TO vote it and all others down.
Mr.. Chase said he could not vote for the
bin, but he had the RICH, to move amend
ments. which, if adopted, would render 1t
less Objectionable. lie did not believe the
people of the territories could constitutional
y introduce Slavery, but he desired them to
have the power to protect themselves from
il. lie had numerous other amendments to
offer to the bill,
Mr. Badger-l'he effect and object OF the
ameudmen, was to deprive II OF one half of
its force 1t was to lmit the power Of the
people to the prohibition of Slavery. WHY
would not the Senator agree to give them
the power to introduce as wen as to prohib-
il? lie said he would speak Tomorrow at
length on the bill. aud in its favor.
Mr. Brown said he would ask for ten min