Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-26

THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.


Senate.-Thursday, January rs, 1866.
The resolutions submitted on Tuesday by Mr.
COOPER, calling upon the President Of the
United States to cause information in the State
and Treasury Department, relative 10 the immi
grafton OF foreign paupers and convicts 10 be fur
nished 10 the Senate, We're this morning taken M
for consideration.
Mr.. COOPER explained his object to be- TO OBJ
tain, in the first place, authentic information on
the points embraced in his resolution and in the
next place, such legislation as will prevent the
country becoming the asylum and refuge of for
egn thieves, burglars, cutthroats and paupers
In the course OF his remarks on this subject, he
urged that Congress has duty 10 perform by
providing, as far possible, against the adms
sion into the country of those dangerous and des-
Perate men, who come here from foreign work.
houses and prisons by the compulsory agency OF
the government TO which they belong; for not
only was the corruption of the public morals TO be
apprehended from the admission of such men,
but the public peace and security private prop
erty, health, life morals, eputation--everything
dear TO individuals and TO communities was en-
dangered.
He did not apprehend that the worthy immi-
grant would deem it injurious or offensive if some
action were taken. II would give ofense only 10
the unfeeling but calculating despots, who send
here, by c0mpusion, the wretched and the mis-
cradle, made SO, perhaps, by bad government
and perhaps 10 the criminal who will be compelled
to expiate crimes in the solitude of their native
prisons, instead ofpursuing career of prosperous
villainy here.
He examined the subject in its various aspects.
"A Mr.. BRODHEAD desired to add resolution,
decaratory that secret organizations for political
purposes, contrary TO the genius of our insti-
buttons and dangerous 10 the liberties OF the people,
He said he was at loss to know what practical
measure his colleague proposed to introduce; to
which Mr.. COOPER replied, that if his colleague
had paid attention TO the resolutions which were
hafnr az h, l-pn0 xxyhat
course he desired TO pursue, He added language
in the nature OF retort, to what had appeared TO
be- personalities of his colleague, Of which Mr..
BRoDHEAD acquitted himself
Mr.. BRODHEAD argued that the appeal to
Congress was improperly made, as the subject
was one within State Jurisdiction. The States re-
CURED ship-owners to give security that imm-
grants should not become chargeable, and other
wise exercised jurisdiction in such matters.
Mr. WELLER submitted a series OF resolutions,
as an amendment 10 the amendment, which
recites that, in our system of government, free
speech and open discussion essential, mol only
for the purpose Of instructing the public mind,
but also TO secure due responsibility to the peo-
ple in regard TO political action, and that all So
cieties which deliberate and determine upon
measures of public policy secretly and apart from
their felow-ciiizcns, pursue a course which must
become dangerous in popular government and
will destroy, in the end, that fraternal feeling and
sense Of common interest so necessary amongst
citzens of the State or confederacy.
His second resolution asserts that the establish
ment Of religious freedom in this country was one
Of the great objects ofthe Constitution ofthe Uni
ted States, which provided no other qualification
for office, in point Of faith, than oath TO support
that Constitution, which prescribes that no re-
gious test shall ever be required as qualltca-
ton TO any Office or public trust under the United
States" and declares that " Congress shall make
no law respecting establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; and any
political combinations, therefore, which seek, in
any manner, TO attain the ends thus prohibited,
through the elective franchise, violate the spirit,
although they may evade the letter, of the Consti
tuition, as fully and completely as the same OBJ
jects were accomplished under the forms of law
He gave notice that if any Senator was willing
10 controvert the truths which his resolutions
contained, he was ready to break a lance with
him.
The further consideration Of Mr.. CooPER's reso-
luton was postponed.
The Senate proceeded TO the consideration. of
the Army Appropriation bill.
Various. amendments were discussed and,
without coming 10 conclusion on the bill,
The Senate adjourned.