Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-01
THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF RE
CONSERVATIVES ON TUESDAY
NIGHT.

editorial matter, we insert the debate In the
House of Representatives on Tuesday night.
1t will throw much light on the designs Of the
Anti-slayery men and the Know.nothings Of the
North. We invite to it the attention Of our
| readers.
| Mr.. WALBRIDGE addressed the committee
on the subject OF neutral rights. In the course OF
his remarks, he said, we respect and should in
force the Monroe doctrine Of resistance 10 any at
tempt at European interference in the affairs oil
| this continent This is the great principle which
pervades the State papers OF all the different ad
illustrations from the days Of President Monroe
10 this hour. That II might have all the weight
which an act of Congress could give, he desired
in connection with the subject Of our neutral rights
that this doctrine shall also enter into our egisa
ton; and, therefore, at early period ofthe SEES
| sion at which he first had the honor TO appear IN
this Hall, he felt il his duty 10 ask the attention oil
the House 10 these important subjects, in the form
of resolutions, decaratory of our maritime rights,
and Of policy interdicting the extension oil
the European system of government on any por.
! ton Of this hemisphere.
i Mr. RUFFIN gave his reasons for voting for
Mr.. WHITES anti-know-nothing resolutions, here
tofore brought before the House. We could see
no evil, either real or imaginary, which is supposed
TO exist in this country, 10 justify American free
men 10 form secret oath bound political societies
| They may do for the despotlsm of Russia or Aus
i
organization sprung up in the northern States.
| Mr.. WASHBURNE, of Illinois, What State
| Mr.. RUFFIN. In illinois, | should Judge by
the result Of the recent election in that State.
/ Mr.. FLORENCE. In Pennsylvania thank
God its banner sis torn but flying"
/ Mr.. WASHBURNE. What part?
Mr.. FLORENCE. In the first Congressional
district. Laughter
/ MIR. RUFFIN resumed. He considered Know
/ nolhingsm otishoot, slip of the old stump of
| Fndaral which convention nI0 rpa n.
/ son against this Government. Ii was radical,
sectional destructive party, an Abolition disunion
scheme; and, unless checked in its progress, will
sunder the Ties which bind these States together.
| II sprung from human filth and corruption and is
| a rotten and fostering ism. II could not be ex-
| pected the people of the South will be blinded and
led by This ignus tataHs into the marshes of Abo-
litionism, follow Sam with his dark lantern
into his midnight conclave. In proof OF his
| sertion that Know moi hingism and AboIitionism
are allied, he said that The Know nothings have
| not elected one Nebraska man 10 Congress.
| He replied TO the remarks of Messrs. SMITH, of
Alabama and Sellers showing, among other
| things, that Notwithstanding their professions Of
| PATRIOTISM the Know nothings are striving TO get
possession of the public Treasury. There are
| already applicants enough for the Offices which
| will be in the gift OF the next House of Repre-
sentalves 10 take Sebastopol; applicants, for the
| Speakers chair down 10 the African high priest
4 who ministers below stairs in the temple Of Cloa
\ Gina. Laughter.
/ Mr.. ENGLISH addressed the committee on the
subject of the Smithsonian Institution. Although
not approving of all that has been done, when he
| thought Of the vastness of the design and Of the
fact that ten years elapsed before Congress adopt
ed even an outline OF the organization OF the in
stituiion, he constrained 10 say that lis present
condition is not only encouraging, but matter of
4 congratulations rather than censure, OF those who
| have the management OF its affairs. The funds
| and property are worth double the amount Of the
| Ha IF hal hama fsntaI
suits Of the institution, and passed high eulo-
| GUM on James Smithson, who had none Of that
prosecuting and intolerant spirit which he was
sorry 10 see evnced by SO many of his country
men.
Mr. GOODWIN said that some time ago, he
gave the necessary notice of his intention 10 in
| troduce bill prohibiting slavery in the Terrific
| res Of Nebraska and Kansas, and forbidding its
introduction or establishment in all the Terrific
res Of the United States. lie had watched for
i an opportunity to do so, but in vain.
| He did not believe, with Mr. BENTON, that fur
Their agitation of this subject was useless, and
should therefore cease After abiding TO the re-
peal of the Missouri compromise, which, he said,
/ though unauthorized and unsanctioned by the
| people was hurriedy consummaled by Congress,
he referred 10 the results of the late elections in
which the people rendered a verdict OF condem-
nation clear and conclusive, against the repeal.
This was the issue, and not Know-nothingism or
| Native Americanlsm, as the gentleman from
4 ".
Therefore il was the duty Of Congress to recon
slider and review its legislation on this subject.
| The people have demanded the exclusion al sla-
very from all the Territories.
| He was interrupted by several gentlemen who
| propounded questions, which he answered.
MIR. UPHAM asked and obtained leave 10 print
| a speech on the subject of mediation by the Gov
| eminent in the affairs of the Powers now engaged
| in the European war.
| Mr.. LETCHER, in reply TO Mr.. GOODWIN, wished
| TO know whether IL was the settled and fixed pur-
pose of the North TO interfere with the fugitive
! slave law, or TO modify il 10 render il no
| longer safe protective TO the South and
whether it the settled policy of New York. or
of the North, through Congress, TO attempt 10 re-
1 vive the Missouri restriction
MIR. GOODWIN understood that a vast major
ty of the electors Of New York are in favor Of re-
storing the anti-slavery restriction 10 Kansas and
| Nebraska, and are opposed TO its Introduction or
| establishment in the Territories Of the United
| States.
i Mr.. LETCHER said that was frank; and fal
luding 10 a remark OF Mr.. GIDpINGs, at a former
stage of the proceedings) the gentleman from Ohio
conceives that that purpose is so fixed and settled
that il will be carried out; the sanctiiy OF the
| Union, and the preservation of the Government,
will not restrain them. He wished TO know fur
ther whether they are in favor of passing law
aboshing slavery in the District of Columbia?
Mr.. GOODWIN could not speak OF the inten-
tons Of the northern States. No doubt they would
be in favor Of il. lie certainly was, but would sub
nit the question TO the people for their determine
ton.
Mr.. LETCIIER said il was, then, important
that the South should come here, at the next Con
gress, determined and prepared TO resist any
spirit Of this sort the part of the North be the
consequences what they may. IL the Union can.
no, be preserved terms of equality, and the
Territories remain open alike TO the South and
the North, the South want TO know it, and when
ever that day comes let the Union CO. whatever
may be the regret. He was regarded as one Of
the most conservative men in his State He was
prepared for the result. lie should stand by the
land in which he was born, and which will receive
his bones hereafter.
Mr. HUGHES inquired whether the gentleman
from Virginia would agree 10 the people Of this
District aboshing slavery therein2
Mr. LETCHER replied You have no right 10
NEEDLE with il at all. 1t is usurpation of power
which will lead 10 nothing but mischief lie gave
way for an explanation, by
Mr.. GtDDlNGS, who laid down the anti slavery
programme, saying, among other things, he would
secure TO the people white and black OF this Dis