The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-08
THE PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

number oil petitions on questions Of Slavery,
was presented by Mr.. Chase, and, as indicating
the progress of opinion, instead of having them
| simply received and laid upon the table, he
moved, for the first time, that they be referred
to select committee. The fact that such a
motion commanded thirteen votes in that pro-
slavery body, is an indication not to be over
| looked.
Unfortunately the new Senator from Massa-
chusetts, having mistaken the hour of meeting,
which had lately been changed, was absent
when the vote was taken, SO that his name is
not on the record. AT his request, we make
| this explanation, and the statement, that had
he been present, he of course would have voted
| in the affirmative.
| Absent during the week when the exciting
debate took place in the Senate, on the bill in
troduced by Mr.. Toucey, depriving State Courts
of the power TO punish violent acts committed
| by United States officers, no editorial notice
appeared in our paper. The brief tele-
graphic report published last week furnished
an outline of the debate, but little of its spirit,
and in one respect, singular I'M justice was done
to Mr.. Chase, who in fact opened the discussion,
by making the first speech in opposition to the
bill. No notice of HIM, or of his luminous re-
marks, however, was taken in the Geographic
report, although, in consequence of his clear
exposure of the bill, one of its most objection
able features was erased. This is the more to
be regretted, as the majority of readers attach
| comparatively little Importance to anything,
unless first announced by Telegraph.
This week, we crowd the Era with official
reports of the speeches made on the occasion,
by Senators Chase, Seward, and Sumner They
present not only clear view Of the nature and
intent Of the bill, exposing its violation of State
Rights, but also comprehensive and startling
view Of the general usurpations aud reverend
| ing exactiOns of Slavery.
Next week we shall publish the remarks of
Mr.. Wilson, and other Senators, on the occa-
sion. The opinion here is, that the pro-slavery
party, although it carried its measure won no
laures in the struggle. 1t betrayed signs of
weakness and desperation, while the friends Of
freedom held bolder and more confident tone
correspondent of the Boston Telegraph,
who was present during the debate, says:
"Mr. Chase showed the monstrous nature of
this attack upon State Rights, and compelled
the majority to amend the bill by limiting it to
civil SUITS and to officers of the United States
and persons acting an aid of such officers.
Seen. Wilson was treated with the greatest
courtesy, and was listened to with the most
profound attention. His replies to the ques.
tons put by the shareholders were decided, en-
phatic, and unequivocal. He very adroitly
warded off the attempts to draw him into dec
laration of the position Of the Know Nothing
organization upon the Slavery question, by say
ing that, so far as he knew, that party had Ia
ken no position upon the subject; but he de-
clared most emphatically that he went, and he
believed an immense ma jority of the Know
Nothings in Massachusetts went, for the repeal
of the Fugitive Slave Law, the abolition of Sla-
very in the District of Columbia, and the pro-
hibition of Slavery in the Territories.
"Mr. Seward made, as he always does,
brilliant and eloquent speech. The passage in
which he spoke of the overshadowing power of
the central Government was one of the finest
he ever uttered; but | could not help feeling
that it came with an i'll grace from one who has
done more to increase the power Of the Federal
Government than almost any man in the coun-
try.
"Mr. Sumner closed the debate, at midnight,
in short speech, characterized by his usual
fearless denunciations of Slavery and of this
new aggression. lie was frequently interrupt
ed by Rusk and Butler, both of whom, the lat
ter especially, were shamefully drunk
IL this were true, the fact would explain the
forbearance with which Mr.. Sumner treated the
Senator from South Carolina but let us hope
that the writer of the letter was mistaken. The
same letter writer says:
"Mr Butler, who is chairman of the Judi
| ciary Committee, was ashamed to report a bill
which SO outraged State Rights, but pushed
Toucey forward to do the dirty work. Mr.. But
Ter did not vote for the bill. He was sober
enough to dodge. On the next day he said to
a distinguished Free Soil Senator, You didn't
| catch me voting for such bill as that. | be-
lieve in State Rights How he must despise
the Northern man who lends himself to do what
he himself would not do
1t will CRAFTY every true friend of State
Rights to learn that, notwithstanding the SUI
perserviceable zeal of the Senate to extend
protection to slave-hunters the odious bill
never saw daylight in the House.
In the House, the shareholders, during the
session, carefully abstained from any movement
that could lead TO the discussion of Slavery
The impression among them seemed to be- that
they had taxed Northern patience for the pres
ent quite far was prudent. Even Mr.
Mace's bill to restore the Missouri Compro
mise line failed TO arouse them, and it soon
drifted out Of sight. Their policy now is, to
remain quiet and watchtul they fear the next
Congress, but have hopes that through the pow
er of Know Nothingism they may divide and
neutralize the Anti Slavery members from the
North. Meantime, they will do nothing to ir
ritate the public mind, but content themselves
with what they have gained, and bide theiI
time. They remember, too that speculation is
astir as to the next Presidency, and that it i.
now necessary to shape events so as to de
termine that question Let us quiet the North
ern mind on the subject of Slavery, is thei
languages. Let us make no new, Irritating is
sues. We who are Democrats will help tn,
Northern Democracy to reorganize, and avoit
throwing any obstacles in their path aud W,
who are Wings or Know Nothngs, will favo
the great American Party, so-called. In Thu
way by discreet management, we shall hav,
the voters of the country, in 1856, divided be
tween the Old Line Democracy and the Know
, Nothing Party, both of which will be pledge,
to the non-agitation of the Slavery Question, 81
/ that what fanatics call the Slave Power, vii
have no reason to fear from the success of ei
Their
|, This is evidently the policy of the slavehold
ers-and this policy they have carried out du
| ring the present Congress- with the SINGLE ex