Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-03-03
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.

acting under the authority of the United States in
enforcing the fugitive-slave law This debate should
be read and pondered by all. Douglas bore himself
eoouently fearlessly and proudly on the occasion,
hurting his dsnunciations full in the faces of white
Ivered AbolitionstS and skulkiug Know Nothings;
and Jones, Wing, of Tennessee, CALAMITY to
the rescue and denounced these abolition Senators
as "a band Of traitors
And even after all ths-after the patriotic services
for years past of Judge Douglas in behalf of the
Constitution and Southern rights, there
he found in tie South, deeply stepped in partiZan
preutiice as to be incapable of doing him any thing
like Justice; nay, morl-thtrc are men among us
Wings it is truc-who have banded with the prop
arators and fomcntcrs generally of iSms, with the
view, among other things of striking him down and
silencins his voice in the affairs of the country.
Vain hope !-malignant expectation! As well might
they attempt to chain the winds, arrest the eagle
in his flight towards the sun:
"A bill to protect officers and other persons acting
under the authority OF the United States, was taken
up. :.
The bill provides that if suit be commenced in
any State court against any officer of the United
States Or any ether person, tor any act done under
law or color of law of the United States the deten
dant may remove such suit to the United States
court sitting in that circuit if no circuit then in
the District Court clothed with circuit powers.
Mr. Wade considered this bill as designed TO again
introduce the agitation of the slavery question into
Congress.
the session could notpass by without agitaeon.-
There is not word or line in that bill having any
reference to the fugitive slave act
Mr. Badger.-YeS, there is the word color in the
phrase ",.nder color of law" Laughter The
principle of this bill has been applied for 40 years,
and never objected to before Mr. Wade has recent
ly become the champi of State rights.
Mr. Wade.Not recently but eternaly.
Mr. he *
against the law but against the constitution of his
country. go for the law, because the Senator from
Ohio does not-for putting Gown the rebellion and
preventing anarchy.
Mr. Wadc.-IEy State diSbelicvcs the constitution
atty of the fugitive slave act, and do l.
MIR. Doug!aS.-The Constitution has provided the
Supreme Court to settle questions of constitution
Mr. Wade-Does the Senator from Illinois believe
that the States have any rights in case the federal
courts pronounce the fugitive act constitutional?
Mr. Douglas.-The difference between the States
and the United States jurisdiction is clearly marked
The delegated powers under the control of the
constitution and laws of the United States
On the reserved powers the States may legiSlate,
and upon these alone. The former they nave
relinquShed. When have come here to perjure
myself and with an intention to violate the consti-
tuition, will rather stay at home. wont thcn de
grade myself by crmng here. TO Mr.. Wade What
your nti-NcbraSka men? Were they not
Maine liquor lawmeE, know rothings meeting in secret
conclave bound under illegal oathS caucussing at
preparing to stab them:
Mir. W a,le.-Was not your Kansas and Nebraska
bill concocted by a secret conclave in the night?
Mr.. iouglas-No. BY myself alone, in my
house But Your friends are the combined remnants
of the wing party-all the isms, Maine liquor law,
Know NOthings-men who prescribe their fellow
mon OH account of Their religion. If the South, by
and by, comes into acknowledgement, will you call
that also anti-Nebraska You took some Democrats,
but they were entrapped, and will leave you when
they come to their senses. Did Massachusetts send
Mr.. Wilson.-lH answer the Senator from Illinois.
Anti-Ncbraskasm did not place me where am to-
day But, can have place hereafter
either floor of Congress who is not anti-Ncbraska.
There is an unaniny of sentiment in Massachusetts
that subject and, accord with it.
Mr. Fessenden.-The bill comes here strong
that can do nothing against it. If the Senator
from Illinois draw consolation from the cleo
ton in New Hampshire last year. the late election in
Connecticut, Rhode Island and in New York he is
N,.come to it, Did know-Nc thingism produce all
this:
M, Douglas-I did not argue the Kansas and
Nebraska bill on the principles imputed to me.
Mr. Fcssendcn.-lf you did not others did. All
the tree States went way.
Mr.. Weler.-California went for Nebraska-six
candidates of all parties, were Nebraska men.
Mr. teSSenden.-l forgot about the States west OF
the Rocky Mountains Illinois was not ant-Nebraska.
Mr.. DouSlas-iilinois not anti Nebraska. John
Moore was candidate against whom the anti-Ne-
braska men poured out all their spite because he
fused the State House to their lectures They de-
nounced him in the most violent language through
their newspapers He had every ism opposed to him,
and yet got majority Of 1900 votes
Mr.. FeSsendcn.--Pcr contra. look at the Illinois
Legislature, giving leave MIR. Douglas colleague
to stay at home. But to return to the bill. The
Senator from Illinois asked whether would go
against the constitution by refusing to pass the bill
to carry its provisions out answer, there are inca
sures which may be CONSTITUTIONAL and yet perfectly
odlous TO free constitution. When odious measures
are proposed to carry out constitutional provisions
we are not bound to assent to such measures.
After further remarks by MesSrs Chase, Toncey,
Walker, Benz amin, Stuart, Petit, Cooper and Bay
ard,
Mr. Butler sad-This bill came to the committee
in regular manner, supported by petitions from
district attorneys marShals and judges of the eder
al courts The Senator from Connecticut drew the
bill by order of the committee. said when it
to this that law of the United States be
ccuted without danger to the persons of the officers
be done.
Mr.. Toucey said that he did not like to propose
law so much against public opinion but would draw
this bill in hopes of subscribing the constitution.
Mr. Butler-The papers were handed to Mr..
Tombs to draw up the bill. In his absence Mr.. lou
cey took the initiative
Mr.. Wade-l thought the bill had an inception in
Southern latitude.
Mr.. Observation-Disclosures being called to
der now say that it is not So
Mr.. Wade Then what said first true, that
it came from a Northern man.
Mr. Douglas.-I at little loss to understand
the motives Of the Senator from Ohio. HIS point is