The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-08
EXCITING DEBATES IN THE HOUSE OF REP.
RESENTATIvES
acknowledgment Aid Societies-Knop
NOthingism Tested, dc.

What the neat Congress intends to do-Mem5er
acknowledgement Aid Societies-Knoa
Nothingism Tested, dc.
Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, SEES
sions of the House were held in the evening, 70
the purpose of general debate. The two CUES
tons discussed at large were Slavery and Know
Nothingism. We make no apology for crowd
ing our columns with synopsis of the discus
sions on both evenings.
TUESDAY EVENING.
Mr.. RUFFIN gave his reasons for voting fo
Mr.. Whites Anti-Know Nothing resolution
He could see no evil, real or imaginary, which
is supposed to exist in this country, to justif
American freemen forming secret, oath.bounl
political societies. They may do for the despot
for this country. The object is to get posses
sion of the National Treasury. Know Nothing
ism sprung in the Western States.
Mr.. WASHBURNE (Ill.) What State +?
MIR. RUFFIN. judge i'll Illinois, looking Il
its last elections.
Mr.. FLORENCE. Thank God in Pennsyl
vania its banner is torn, but flying.
Mr.. WASHBURNE. What part?
Mr.. FLORENCE, (proudly.) The first Con
gressional District Laughter.
Mr.. GOODWIN said some time ago he gave
notice of his desire to introduce a bill prohibit
ing Slavery in Kansas and Nebraska, and for
bidding its introduction or establishment in an,
of the Territories of the United States, but uI
to this time he had not had an opportunity O.
doing so. He was still seeking an occasion fol
that purpose. He condemned, in strong terms
the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise, which
was recklessly and hurriedly consummated. The
people, in the late elections, have rendered
verdict clear and conclusive for the restoration
of the Missouri Compromise, therefore it was
the duty of Congress to obey their WILL This
was the issue in the contest, and not Know
Nothingism, as the gentleman from North Caro-
lima Mr.. RUFFIN wrongly supposed. He strong
ly condemned Slavery and earnestly spoke fol
the freedom of the negro race
Mr.. FLORENCE, in allusion to Mr.. Good
wins remarks concerning the Anti Nebraska
triumph in New York, asked how it was tina
members of that State who voted for the Nebras
ka iniquty, as it was called, were stricken down
Mr.. HUGHES, by consent, answered the
question, by saying there were four candidates
in the field last election, when he was a candi
date but the District was opposed to him, al
though he was first elected by 800 majority
while Scott received a majority of 100. He
voted against the Nebraska bill, thus obeyine
his honest convictions and the will of his con
stituents. He could assure gentlemen his sue
cessOr would oppose, inch by inch, and step by
step, every effort made to extend Slavery Over
this fair, land. 1t was enaNgh to say his success
or is warm Seward Wing.
Mr.. GOODE understood Mr.. GOODWIN to saw
he reflects on the views of Northern Represents
atives. Do they mean to pass a law preventing
Slavery extending to Kansas and Nebraska?
Mr.. GOODWIN. Certainly.
Mr.. GOODE. And that neither Kansas MOI
Nebraska shall come into the Union as a slave
State?
Mr.. GOODWIN. would vote against it.
Mr.. GOODE. Do you represent the majority
of the North? If so, let it be known to the
South, that they may know the ISSUE
Mr.. GIDDINGS, Ito MIR. GOODWIN Let me
say word. The people of Ohio, by $4,000
Mr.. GooDE, (interruptng.) 1 don't care
what majority.
Mr.. GIDDINGS, (resuming.) Will sweep
away Slavery from Kansas and Nebraska, and
every other Territory.
Mr.. GOODE, participating in the excite
ment.) Do it, and sweep me from the House
if you can.
Mr.. GOODWIN. In the name of Justice and
Right, the people of the North require that
Slavery shall be excluded from all the Terrific
ries.
Mr.. MAXWELL wished to know the partic
ular nature of the Compromise, which forbid.
Southern men from going into the Territories
and taking their property with them, while
Northera men can take theirs. Whence the
distinction?
Mr.. GOODWIN denied no right to Southern
enjoyed by Northern men. The former car
take with them the same property as the lat
ter can, but the North will exclude Shaver,
from Territories. In reply to Mr.. maxwell, hs
referred to the Ordinance of 1887, which wa.
cOtemporaneous with the Constitution. In con
clusion, he said, only by divorcing the Govern
ment from Slavery, can peace and quiet be re
stored to the country, and this vexed question
settled.
Mr.. UPHAM obtained permission to print
his speech on the subject of mediation by thi:
Government in the European war;
Mr.. LETCHER wished to know whether +
was the settled and fixed purpose of the NORTH
to repeal the Fugitive Slave Law, or so modif,
it as TO render it no longer safe or protective tt
the South. Was it the settled policy of New
York or the North to revive the Missouri Com
promise?
Mr.. GOODWIN replied, he understood tn.
| majority of the people of New York TO be II
favor of restoring the Slavery restriction to Ne
braska and Kansas, and preventing Slavery il
all the Territories
| Mr.. LETCHER. That is frank, and did h,
| understand from the remark Of Mr.. UfppISe
| that this purpose is so settled and fixed tina
even the sanctity and preservation of the Unto,
will not restrain them? Was the gentleman
from New York Mr.. GooDwINl in favor o
passing law abolishing Slavery in the Distric
Of Columbia?
| Mr.. GOODWIN could not speak of the in
tentiOn of the North, or Empire State. N,
doubt, they would be in favor of it. He car
tainy was in favor of submitting the question
to the people of the District.
MIR. LETCHER resumed. 1t was importan
that the South should come here next Congress
with spirit and determination to resist am
effort on the part OF the North, be the conse
| quences what they may. If the Union canno
be preserved on terms of equality in the TER;
tories, open alike to North and South. we wan
to understand it; and whenever that time come,
Let the Union go for whatever it is worth. III
was regarded as one of the most conservative
men in Virginia. He was prepared for the rs
suit. lie should stand by the land in which
he was born, and which will receive his hons.
hereafter.
Mr.: HUGHES inquired if the people of tn
District Of Columbia should ask for the aboli
ton OF Slavery here, would the gentleman Q,
| for that2 e
Mr.. LETCHER. You had no right To med
die with that question at ALL 1t is an assumr
ton of power which will lead to nothing ba
mischief, God Almighty knows the aentiemal
Mr.. HUGHES went far enough last session. wit
has Anti-Slayery party, in the war against Ne
hraska, and against the institutions of th
Sonth. Yet he was not returned by his cor
stituents, but thrown overheard and q Sew
ard Wing sent in his place.
| Mr.. G!DDiNGS, explaining, said the pres
i ont Of L., q. 90