Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-08
DEBATE

troduced by Mr.. Toucey, to protect u S. Mar
slals, and others acting under tho Fugitive Slave
Law:
Mr.. Gillette--I regret to trespass, but in as
much as my colleague has figured in this debate,
feel due to present the true sentiments OF Con-
necticut upon the subject which has been pre-
cipitated upon us. 1t would be more congonial
to me to sit in silence, but when proposition
which cannot approve off, and measures inju-
rious to humanity are proposed, l cannot help
speaking. The Senator from Louisiana has
made aggression the burden of his speech. |
shall speak within the record. call the atten-
ton OF the Senate to this very District for
which all the States are responsible. Here Mr..
Gillette read from the laws governing tho Dis
trict of Columbia
Mr.. Dawson-These laws are as absolete as
the Blue Laws of Connecticut. Never enforced
here. do not want such a false impression to
go out am the chairman of the District OF
Columbia.
District of Columbia"
Mr.. Jones-That boob is SANDER upon the
South and upon the country.
Mr.. Gilctt-A thing on horseback was drag
ged along on Monday before last-a woman tied
itol
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 o. Columbia I"
MIR. Jones (exalnini ng the book by an an
ti-savery society, from the press of W. B Snef-
fin, John street, New York
Mr.. Rusk-I supposed SO.
Mr.. Gillett continued for more than an hour,
citing extracts from foreign and domestic au-
thors, in derogation Of slavery when
Mr.. JONES' OF Tennessee, said the Senator
from Connecticut (Gillett) observed at the com.
increment of his speech that tho measure was
precptated upon them, and he has read over
fifty ppges, which must have taken week to
prepare, and spea rs OF the remarks of Mr. Waldo,
which shows he knew what Mr.. Wade was 60
ing to say. (ro 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 say 1t in my Senatorial capacity, but per-
sonally, verify believe you are band of trait
Ors.
Mr.. Chase moved the Senate adjourn. Lost
nays 80, yeas I.
Mr.. Petit ridiculcd the idea of State sover-
eighty, and gave dissertation on the Romans,
Scandinavians. Normans, Saxons, Goths, Van
dals, the Grac:hi &c.
Mr.. Wilson was ready to carry out every pro-
vision Of the Constitution, but was opposed to
slavery wherever it was under the control
of Congress, and they desired to relieve them
selves OF that responsibility. He earnestly de-
sired the perpetuity Of the Union, and thought
that if the Fugitive Slave Law should be repeal
ed, 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 Constitution,
he would go hand in hand with him. He had
heard him charged with being disunionist.-
He was glad that such was not the case.
Mr.. Sesnrd--At ten=1n D tss past III this A.
NJ, simultaneously with the calling up of this
bill by Mr.. Toucey rose to present PROPOSE
ton for Il bronze statue, one side to commemo-
rate the Signers of the Declaration of indie
pendence. Now | have waited nearly twelve
hours, having no disposition to enter the lists of
the early dsputants, The Nebraska bill passed
at night, and was announced by cannon, and
for aught know, cannon are all ready to pro-
claim the passage Of this bill. Everything had
been brought into this discussion, and hardly "a
phase Of Slavery exists which has not been al
luded to. The bill before us has received none
too large share of attention. The Fugitive
Slave Law has been introduced / have no con-
ceaments OR reservation upon that subject.
shall give my views again ontthat subject, when
we come to the organization of Nebraska.
prophesied that the usurpation Of the Fugitive
Slave Law would lead to further usurpations,
and here they are in this bill
Understand the Know Nothings to be secret
societies of two or three grades, colleagued to
al nc nn,r nrln, hot ~,
liar to the Native Americans. hope my pro-
test in this bill will not be identified with this
Association. belong to but one voluntary So
ciety, and that is the Christian Church. be-
long to but one political party and that has open
societies, meeting in broad daylight Before
would bend the knee or Join secret associations,
and swear to submit my Judgment to that of
other men, would suffer my hand to be para
yzed. Prescribe a man because he was not
born in the same town, county, State or coun-
try seriously advise the people hereafter to
be born in the United States, to be converted to
the Protestant Church, and to be born white
if they can ; but if they come into the world,
notwithstanding my advice, with black faces and
twisted hair, shall not add feather to the
disabilities under which they naturally suffer
thereby. am in favor Of the abolition of slav-
cry in the District of Columbia
, As to slavery in the States, don't know of
an individual who is in favor of aboishing slay-
cry in the States where it exists, by external in
reference; but if lived in slave State, |
should use all the legal means to procure its alb
: clifton there, and to that end would try to
get such aid from the Treasury of the United
8 States as circumstances would afford. AS to
, the territories, shall not repeat my opinions.
| What is proposed here is an innovation--a new
q measure-that the Courts of the States may be
ousted in civil causes in actions complained of
under u law or color Of law of the United
States. Thirty-one equal and qualified sover.
= eighties compose the United States. The oh.
lects of both are alike to protect their citizens
r The one is the Federal Government the Other
U the State Government. The latter were organ.
: ICED to protect the liberty of the citizen. -
: Where they fail, tho Federal courts are appeal
ed to.
J Mr.. Bayard-Some States have recently, ~
Il their legislation endeavored to render the la,gs
o OF the United States nugatory, hence the nea !.
= sity of such bill US this One State ilnprssous
i. as lelon him who asserts his right to property
and fails to prove his title. Such State legisla.
: ton renders the present bill imperative. No OF:
% ticer can otherwise fulfill his duty in reference
y to the laws Of the United States. If these
States can carry their points against the United
Q States there must be dissolution. They have
g already done something toward this through
mobs and murder-now they are attempting fur.
!. Their to resist the laws of Congress by legisa
! ton.
! Mr.. Sumner--lt is now near midnight
Since II o'clock this morning we have been in
y our seats. This is the day usually set apar,
j. for private claims. There are sevsnty-fve pr
vate bills unheard sacrificed to slavery in ont
n of its most odious forms There is seeming
e apology for slavery at home, but that apology
= fails when you hunt man who has the intelli-
gence and skill to secure his freedom.
. Mr.. Rusk--Point out a word in that bill
+ which speaks of slavery