The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-03-24
Another Debate In Congress on Know-Nothing-
y ism and slavery. sg

vi 1ue6Qby uikub, GU go Al VIC 4OuSS VI
Representatives, : debate occurred, the osten-
sible subject of which was the Army Appropri-
alton Bill, but the speeches had but little to do
with that topic. Mr.. Walbridge, Of New York,
made speech on European Affairs. Mr. Ruff
fin, Of North Carolina, proceeded to overhaul
"Sam." He said:
Know Nothingism was slip from the root of
federalism. 1t was radical, sectional and de-
structive party-an abolition disunion scheme,
and unless checked in its progress. will sunder
the ties which bind these States together. 1t
is an emanation of filth and corruption, rot
ten and fostering +" ISM" 1t could not be ex-
pected that the South will be blinded and led
away by this Jack o'thc- Lanthern into the
marshes of abolition, or follow Sam, with his
dark lantern, into his midnight conclave. 1t
was his opinion Mr.. Bennett, with his Herald
had done more to further the progress OF this
order than any other man. Notwithstanding
the high professions of the patriotism of the
Know Kothings, there are applicants enough
for the offices in the gift of the next House of
Representatives, to take Sebastopol. There
are applicants for places from the Speakers
chair down to the African high priest who min
listers at the temple of Cloacina. (Laughter.)
After speech from Mr.. English, of Indiana,
on the Smithsonian Institution, the following
debate occurred:
REPEAL OF THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE.
Mr.. Goodwin said some time ago, he gave
notice of his desire to introduce bill prohib-
ting slavery in Kansas and Nebraska, and for
bidding it's introduction or establishment in
any of the Territories of the United States, but
up to this, he had not had an opportunity of
doing so. He was still seeking an occasion for
that purpose. He condemned, in strong terms,
the Missouri Compromise, which was reckless
| ly and hurriedly contaminated. The people in
the late elections, have rendered verdict clear
u I'd conclusive, for the restoration of the Mis-
sour: Compromise therefore it was the duty of
Congress to obey their will. This was the is
sue in contest, and not Know NOthingism, as
the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Rufin)
wrongly supposed. He strongly condemned
slavery, and earnestly spoke for the freedom OF
| the negro race.
A QUESTION.
Mr.. Florence, In an allusion to Mr.. Goodwin {
remarks concerning the Anti-Nebraska triumph
| in New York, asked how it was that members
| from that State who voted for the Nebraska in
| iquity, as it was called, were stricken down.
AND AN ANSWER.
| Mr.. Hughes, by consent, answered the ques-
| ton by saying there were four candidates in
the field last election when he was a candidate
but the district was opposed to him, although
he was first elected by 800 majority of LOO.
He voted against the Nebraska bill, thus obey
| ing his honest conviction and the will of his
constituents. He could assure gentlemen, his
successor would oppose him inch by inch, and
step by step, every effort made to extend slave
| ~ over this fair land. 1t was enough to say
his successor was warm Seward Wing.
THE ISSUE.
NJ un1orctoo1 Mr. Turin 70
he reflects on the views of Northern Represent.
atives. Do they mean to pass law prevent
| ing slavery extending to Kansas and Nebraska
Mr.. Goodwin.-Certainly.
| Mr.. Goode.-And that neither Kansas or Ne.
braska shall come into the Union as Slave
State.
| Mr.. Goodwill 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 Mr.. Go0de)-Let me say a
word. The people of Ohio, by $4,000 major.
Mr.. Goode Gnterrupting)- don't care what
majority.
Mr.. Goode participating in the excitement)
Let it and sweep me from the House if you
can! r
Mr.. Goodwin-In the name of justice and
right, the people of the North require that
ries. t1#t
hr INFORMATION WANTED.
Mr.. Maxwell wished to know the particular
nature of the compromise which forbid South
ern men from going into territories, and taking
their property with them, while the Northern
men can take theirs. Whence the distinction
Mr.. Goodwin denied no right to Southern,
enjoyed by Northern men. The former can take
with them the same property as the latter can,
but the North will exclude slavery from terri
tories. In reply to Mr.. Maxwell, he referred to
the ordinance Of 1857, which was cOntempora-
neous with the Constitution.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
| Mr.. Letcher wished to know whether it was
| the settled and fixed purpose of the North to
repeal the Fugitive Slave Law, or to modify it
so as to render it no longer safe or protective
to the South. Was it the settled policy of New
| York or the North to revive the Missouri Com
promise?
Mr.. Goodwin replied he understood the ma
jority of the people of New York to be in favor
| ofrestoring slavery restriction to Nebraska and
Kansas, and preventing slavery in all the terri
tories.
| Mr.. Letcher-That is frank and did he un-
derstand from the remark of Mr.. Giddings that
this purpose is so settled and fixed that even
the sanctity and preservation of the Union will
not restrain them? Was the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Goodwin) in favor of passing a
law abolishing slavery in the District of Co.
lumbia.
Mr.. Goodwin could not speak of the inten-
| ton of the North or Empire State. No doubt
they would be in favor it, He certainly was
in favor of submitting the question to the peO-
pie of the District.
Mr.. Letcher resumed. TWAS important that
the South should come here next Congress with
| spirit and determination to resist any effort
| on the part of the North, be the consequences
what they may If the Union cannot be pre-
served on terms of equality in the Territories
open alike to North and South, We want to un-
derstand it, and whenever that time comes let
the Union go for what it may be worth. He
was regarded as one of the most conservative
men in Virginia. He was prepared for the re-
suit. He should stand by the land in which be
was born, and which will receive his bones here
after.
Mr.. Hughes enquired if the people of the
District of Columbia should ask for the aboli-
ton of slavery here, would the gentleman 60
for that?
Mr.. LErcHER. You had no right to NEEDLE
with that question at all. It is usurpation
of power which will lead to nothing but mis-
chief. God Almighty knows the gentleman.
Mr.. Hughes, went far enough last session, with
his anti-slavery party in the war against Ne
braske, and against the institutions of the
South. Yet he was not returned by his constit-
uents, but thrown overheard, and Mr. Seward,
Wing. sent in his place.
Mr.. Giddings, explaining, said the present
position of the Free States, as Federal Gov
ernment shall be entirely purified from the