Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-02-10
CONGRESSIONAL

@CNeAthfocAONAhs
The proceedings In Congress for the last fey
weeks have generally been Of but little interes,
our readers; we have therefore omitted giving
connected summary Of the transactions in eithe
branch.
In the SENATE. Monday, Mr. Stuart Of Michigan
presented joint resolution from the legislature
that State instructing its Senators to use their er
ertions to procure the passage Of an act prohibit
ing the introduction Of slavery in any of the Ter.
riiories, especially Kansas and Nebraska; also !,
procurr the immediate repeal Of the Act Of 1850
Upon the presentation Of this resolution, Mr. Cas-,
formally repudiated the old Democratic doctrine o.
instructions which be has heretofore recognized.
lie spoke substantially as follows
when some years ago, the Legislature Of Mich.
igan instructed her Delegation 10 Congress to vote
Tor the Wilmot Proyiso, said should resign when
called upon TO act. The Legislature repealed those
! instructions, consequently, ] did not resign The
Democratic party has lost the aseendanoy In Mich.
igAn, and these resolutions are the action Of new
party. | am now instructed to vote to deprive
American citizens, in the territories, Of the power
TO regulate the relations between master and ser,
ant, aud for the repeal Of the Fugitive Act which
was passed TO give effect to a solemn guarantee Of
the Constitution | shall neither obey these in-
structions nor resign my seat If political party
whenever, and by whatever combination, Il attain
power, can compel Its opponents holding Legisla-
tive trusts to violate their conscenccs aud consis-
tency, or resign their postion It would radically
affect the organization Of the Senate and be neom-
patbie with its office the representative branch
Of the sovereignty Of the States. The Senate
would lose every characteristic Of permanence as
power was transferred from one party 10 another
This would operate against the Democratic party
Tor their opponents do not recognize the right 10
instruct The intolerant prescription, which Is
advocated by the new party, would exclude from
political confidence the first General who fell nj
the head OF an organized American army at Lu-
bee, because born across the Atlantic and the last
surviving signer Of the Declaration Of Indcpend-
ence, because he a Catholic The adoption of
either measure recommended by the Legislature Of
Michigan would be the signal for the breaking up
OF this Government, and the dissolution Of this
eoniederacy. There are many honest men who
scout all idea Of danger and prepared to sacri-
nee the structure OF freedom to an overpowering
impulse. shall remain in the position now oc-
eupy until the end Of my term. unless the Deuocra
cy OF Michigan shall require me 10 act against my
convictions Of duty. What | fear above all things
i that the people may be struck with a judicial
blindness with which nations are punished Tor ma
tional ofenses, and thus add to the melancholy list
of people who have not wisdom enough 10 appre-
frmncss enough TO maintain them"
In the HousE, Mr. White, Of Pennsylvania asked
leave to introduce some resolutions strongly word
ed against thu Know Nothings, but the House re-
fused to suspend the rules, Messrs sAbin and Ira
cy Of this State voting in the negative and Mr.
Meacham absent.
The following, from the New York Times Of
last week, will show how some Of the honorable
gentlemen who are supposed to represent certain
constituencies on the floor Of Congress, amuse
themselves
The three first days Of the present week were g,
apart by special order for the consideration Of ter
ritorial business. Mr. Farley, Of the Kenneltec
District OF Maine, got before the House for consd
Grafton the Senate bill to aid in the construction of
line Of magnetic telegraph across the territories
to the Pacific, which he briefly explained and ad-
socatcd
General Lane, Of Oregon, interrupted him sew
eral times with questions and call TO order; and
made effort TO have the bill passed
over arguing that 1t not Territorial business.
MIR Farley interposing called the delegate from Or
gon TO order. -l'-1- ~
Mr. Lane, angrily aud distA,Oriaily, oh;ested TO
Mr. farley's interruption; whereupOn the latter
reminded him that he had the right to call him 10
order, and also that he (Mr F.) hal courteously
Mr L. who was standing in or near the centre
aisle about ten feet from Mr. Farley. exclaimed,
g You're a liar i''--ad1ressing his words 10 the
gentleman from Maine-and starting increasingly
towards him. Mr. Farley instantly retortei.
- You're a id liarf''--and sprang at once 20
meet MIR Lane, who was then advancing The |
parties met and struck at each other several times
but failed to do any serious damage
OF course the greatest confusion ensued Mem
bers essayed flying leaps over the desks to get 10
the seat OF war; others rushed along tho asles to
The same spoti the Speaker banged away with his
gavel, and unayalingly appealed to the House 10
come to order;" but the members were determin- |
"a 70 see whether Oregon and Maine would s'come
10 time" and the authority Of the Speaker was,
Tor the nonce, perfect nonenity. General Lane,
with wrathfully red countenance, was easily ex-
ricated from the melee and conducted to his seat |
,lr Farley, though small man, gave four stout
elbow members not a little trouble 10 hold him.
Among those who were first in efforts 10 separate |
he parties was Mr. Hamilton Of MARYLAND. Mr. |
Farley did not relish his interference, and when he
ound that Mr. Hamilton was preventing him from
furnishing" the man who had insulted him, he |
urned upon Mr. II. and belahored him instead.
Quiet was finally restored; but few minutes
alter MIR Lane came near producing another explo-
zion by referring to his late combaiant as chat
allow" which was received with burst Of indir-
nation by the House. No steps were taken 10 en-
luire into the affair, and no motion was made to
'ebuke either party for his share in this outrage
lpon the dignity Of the House. The tide Of SYM
'athy is clearly against Lane, who has been mex
'ulsaby irritable and petulent all Winter, and
whose whole manner this morning was offensive, to
ny nothing Of the vulgar epithet which he applied
Q Mr. Farley, without the slightest provocatlon.- -
'ir +. has always demeaned himself heretofore as
quiet peaeeable and courteous gentleman. To-
morrow the House will manifest its sympathy with
nm by giving him many votes for his bill which II
night not have received except for Lanes course
o-day
,. fiIcnpURG,-Those who have occasion to visit
'itchburg, either business or for pleasure. will
nd the American House one of the pieasautest no
els in the country, and the Messrs, Phillips &
fierce, its keepers the most accomplished and ac-
OF landlords. Their well furnished
,rder, their capital cookery, and their airy and