Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-03-02
Protection of U. S.. Officers.

We nave only snatches of the twelve hours
debate Of last Friday in the L S. Senate.
But what is reported shows conclusively that
Slavery is no longer ga delicate subject"
which cannot be introduced into Congress.
The Bill wa. drawn by Mr.. Touccy, the Ne
braska democratic Senator from Connecticut,
who seemed q little ashamed OF the work
which the committee had put upon him
said he "did not like to propose a law SO
much against public opinion, but drew the
bill in hopes Of subscribing the Constitution"
The bill is to protect officers and other per-
sons acting under the authority of the United
States, and provides that if a suit be COM
menced in any State Court, against any Off
Ger Of the United States, or any other nerson
for any act done under law, or color of law
of the United States, the defendant may re-
move such suit to the United States Court,
sitting in that circuit, and if there is no cir
cult in the district, to the Court clothed with
circuit powers.
There was a general go in for a fight, in
which Senators Douglass, Wade, Butler
Weller, Fessender, Chase, Petit, Badger,
Sumner and Seward appear to have taken the
most active part. The whole subject of the
Nebraska bill and of the subsequent cleo.
tons, appears to have been gone over in Il sort
of rough and tumble style, Personal attacks
and retorts were plenty as usual, mingled
with some earnest and serious debating. We
give the sketches of the concluding part Of
the debate, as sent by telegraph.
Mr.. Gillette regret to trespass, but in,
asmuch as my colleague has figured in thi,
debate, | feel it due to present tho true sen,
timents Of Connecticut upon the subject
which has been precipitated upon us. II
would be more congenial to me to sit in
silence, but when a proposition which | can
not approve Of, and measures injurious tC
humanity are proposed, l cannot help speak.
ing. The Senator from Louisiana has made
aggression the burden of his speech. | shall
speak within the record. | call the attention
Of the Senate to this very District, for which
all the States are responsible. Here Mr.
Gillette read from the laws governing the
District of Columbia.
Mr.. Dawson-These laws are as obsolete
as the Blue avs of Connecticut. Never en-.
forced here. don't want such false i'm.
preston to go out. am the Chairman Of
the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Gillette offered the BLACK Code o.
the District of Columbia
Mr.. Jones-That book is a SANDER upon
the South and upon the country.
Mr.. Gilletto-A thing on horseback wa.
dragged along on the Monday before last-a
woman tied with a rope under the very
shadow of the Capital
In answer to Mr.. Rusk-I did not see it
but some ladies at the house where reside,
told me Of it.
Mr.. Rusk-Where is that book, the BLACK
Code of the District of Columbia Z"
Mr.. Jones examining the book)-By ar
anti-slavery society, from the press Of W. b.
Snefen, John street, New York.
Mr.. Rusk-I supposed so.
Mr., Gillott acontinned for more than ar
hour sting extracts from foreign and domes-
TIC authors, IN derogation of slavery, when
MIR. Jones, of Tennessee, said the Senate,
from Connecticut (Gillette) observed at the
commencement of his speech that the measure
was precipitated upon them, and he has read
over nifty pages which must have taken a
week to prepare, and speaks of the remarks
OF Mr.. Wade, which shows he knew what
mr.; wade was going TO say. Go the Free
Soilers)-Now own up, gentlemen, YOU knew
all about this bill and what each other were
going to say on it. | do not saw it in my
Senatorial capacity, but personally. | yerily
believe you are a band of traitors
Mr.. Chase moved the Senate adjourn. Lost
nays 80, yeas Z,
Mr., Petit ridiculed the idea of state
sovereignty, and gave a dissertation on the
Romans, Scandinayians, Normans, Saxons,
Ooths, Nandals, the Gracchi, &c.
Mr.. Wilson was ready to carry ont every
provision OF the constitution, but WAS on
posed to the existence of slavery in the Dis.
trict of Columbia or in the territories of tho
United States, and he and those who acted
with him were determined to abolish it there,
they believed they shared the responsibility
OF Its existence wherever it was under the
control OF Congress, and they desired to re-
lieye themselves of that responsibility. lie
earnestly desired the rerpetuity of the Union,
and thought that il the Fugitive Slave Law
should be repealed, the provisions of the
constitution would be carried out by the
states themselves.
Mr.. Weller said if Mr.. Wilson was disposed
to carry out the provisions of the Constitu-
ton, he would go hand in hand with him
lie had heard him charged with being u dis
unionist. lie was glad that such was not the
case.
MIR. Seward-At 10 minutes past this
morning, simultaneously with the calling up
of this bill by Mr.. Toucey, | rose to present
a proposition tor a bronze statue, fifty feet
high, to the memory Of Jefferson, to be erect
ed in Washington, one side TO commemorate
tbs Slgners OF the Declaration Of Indepen-