The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-01
Friday, February %, 1853.
SENATE.

motion was made by Mr.. Brown, that, the
House concurring, the President of the Senate
and the Speaker of the House be directed to
adjourn their respective branches of the Ma
tional Legislature at IL o'clock, midnight, on
Saturday, the Sd of March.
Mr.. Brown supported this, on the ground of
the immoral effect which an encroachment upon
Sunday would produce; and upon the considera-
ton, that if the hour of adjournment be fixed
beforehand, Legislative business would be fin
ished by that hour.
Mr.. Stuart moved to lay the motion on the
table; decided in the negative-yeas ii, nays 90.
The question recurring on the passage of the
resolution, debate ensued, in which Messrs.
Rusk, Gwin, Badger, and Toucey, participated.
The resolution was eventually agreed to
yeas %, nays IL.
1t was announced that Mr.. Jones of Tennes-
see, Mr.. Cass, and Mr.. Bell, will, on Monday
next, present to Congress the sword worn at the
battle OF New Orleans by General jackson, and
bequeathed by him to the late General Robert
Armstrong.
The bill to protect officers and other persons
acting under the authority of the United States
was then taken up.
The bill provides that if a suit be commenced
in any State court, against any officer of the
United States, or other person, for any act done
under law, or color of law, of the United States
the defendant may remove such suit to the
United States court, sitting in that circuit, and
if there is no circuit in the district, in the court
clothed with circuit powers.
Mr.. Wade considered this BILL as designed to
again introduce the agitation of Slavery into
Congress.
Mr.. Douglas The Senator from Ohio regrets
that the session couldn't pass by without agita.
10 of ord in, hat
having any reference to the Fugitive Slave Act.
Mr.. Badger. Yes, there is. The word color
in the phrase "under color Of law" Laughter.
The principle of the bill has been applied for
forty years, and was never objected to before
Mr.. Wade has recently become the champion
of State rights.
Mr.. Wade. Not recently, but eternally.
Mr.. Douglas. The Ohio Senator's passion is
not against this BILL but against the Constitu
ton of his country. l go for the law, because
the Senator from Ohio does not for putting
down rebellion and preventing anarchy.
Mr.. Wade. My State disbelieves in the con
stitutionality of the Fugitive Slave Law and SC
do /.
Mr.. Douglas. The Constitution has provided
Supreme Court to settle questions of constitu
tionality.
Mr.. Wade. Does the Senator from Illinois
believe that the States have any rights, if the
Federal courts pronounce the Fugitive Slave
Law constitutional?
Mr.. Douglas. The differences between State
and United States Jurisdiction are clearly mark
ed the delegated powers are under the control
OF the Constitution and laws of the United
States. The reserved powers States may legis-
late upon, and upon those only; the former
they have relinquished. When have to come
here to prepare myself, and with an intention to
violate the Constitution | will rather stay at
home. Twill not then degrade myself by com
ing here. TO Wade)-What were your ANTI
Nebraska men? Were they not Maine Liquor
Law men? Know Nothings, meeting IN secret
conclave, and bound under illegal oaths con-
cocted at midnight, smiling at those they meet,
while preparing to stab them.
Mr.. Wade. Was not your Kansas-Nebraska
bill concocted by a secret conclave in the dark
Mr.. Douglas. No, by myself, alone in my
own house but your friends are the combined
remnant of the Wing party, and all the isms-
Know Nothings, who prescribe their fellow men
on account of their religion. If the South, by.
and-by, comes into Know Nothingism, will YOU
call that also Anti.N ebraskaism You took
some Democrats, but they were entrapped, and
will leave you when they come to their senses
Did Massachusetts, send her new delegation be
cause of her nt-Nebraskaism
Mr.. Wilson. / will answer the Senator from
Illinois. Anti-Nebraskaism did not place me
where am today but no man can have place,
hereafter, on either floor of Congress, who is