Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-12-24
PaocEEDINGs OF CONGRESS.

NasafxCToS. Dec. 15.-fn the Senate, on
motion'fe Mr. Jones, of Iowa, the credentials
OF Mr. Hars,n, Senator from Iowa. with the
protest of theSenate, in relation thereto, we're
taken up, aud reyerred to the Judiciary com
mittee. 10
In theHouse. Nh; ;Etherfgde submitted the fql-
lowing resolution :-ResoIrsd, That this House
regard all suggestions or propositions OF eve
r. kind, by whomsoeyerls lsade, for the revival
of the African Slave Trade, * shocking to the
morals of the enlightened portion. of mankind;
or any act on the part of Congress, le8islating,
or conniving at, or legalizing that horrid ana
inhuman traffic, would justly subject the Uni
ted States to the reproach of all civilized and
christian people throughout the world.
Objection was made TO the introduction Of
the resolution. Mr.. Etheriige moved the suS-
pension of the rules. Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio,
called for the yeas and nays. Mr.Walser ask
ed whether, if the House shall suspend the
rules, it was the purpose Of Mr.. Etheridge TO
move the previous question on the adoption of
the resolution to cut off debate. Mr.. Ethe-
ridge replied that the resolution contained
self-eyident proposition. He presumed every
gentleman had opinion on the subject He
should not discuss it, bat would move the pre-
yious question. Mr.. Jones, of Tenn, wanted
Mr.. Etheridge to leave out the argument in the
resolution, and said he was as much opposed
to re-opening the African slave trade as his
colleague. He was here called to order, the
Speaker saying debate was inadmisSible at
this time. Mr.. Jones said he would not be
gagged by either the Speaker or others. Mr..
Orr strove Intellectually to introduce a substi-
tute, simply resolving that it is inexpedient to
repeal the laws prohibiting the African slave
trade. Mr.. Etberidge's motion to suspend the
rules, in order to enable him to introduce his
resolution, was then agreed to-yeas 140, nays
50. The resolution was finally adopted by
majority of 95. Mr.. 0rr's resolution, simply
declaring it to be inexpedient, unwise and
contrary TO the settled policy of the United
States to repeal the laws prohibiting the Afri-
can slave trade, was also agreed TO, only eight
members in the MIGHT'VE. Adjourned.
Dec. 16.-In the Senate, on motion of Mr.
Dodge, a resolution was adopted calling on the
Secretary of War for copies of all letters ad-
dressed to that department or TO Wilson Shan
non, late Governor OF Kansas, by Col. sum
ner, relative to Kansas affairs, which have not
hetofore been communicated.
In the House, Mr.. Whitfield introduced a
bill providing for the assessment of damages
sustained by the loss and destruction of pro-
perty belonging to citizens of Kansas during
the recent disturbances in said Territory also
a bill establishing District Court at Leaven-
worth City and other places in Kansas; and a
bill establishing two additional land districts
in Kansas.
Dec. lin Senate, Mr.. Weller gave notice
that Immediately after the holidays he would
call up the Pacific Railroad bin, under consid-
Grafton at the last session; and he indulged
the hope that this important measure would
command the votes OF majority of the SEN
ate. The consideration of Mr.. Rusk's bill, al
lowing further time FOR the creditors of Texas
to file their claims, was resumed, and after a
debate the bill was passed.
In the House, fifteen thousand extra copies
Of the Secretary of the Treasurer's report on
the finances were ordered TO be printed. The
Presidents message being under considera-
Gon, Mr.. Campbell, Of Ohio, defended the Re-
publican party against the imputation of the
President that they had assailcd the institu-
tions of the country, and sought to destroy
the Union by overturning the Constitution
Such char ye was entirely gratuitous. There
was nothing said by the leaders of that party
in their conventions or in their press. To ius:i-
fy such allegation. On the contrary. they
had declared for the principles of the Decla-
ration of Independence, and the maintenance
OF the Constitution and Union as essential to
our happiness and general prosperity. He
vehtared to say that if resolution had been
introduced in the Cincinnati Convention as
serting that the Union must be preserved "a
all hazards. it would not have received unan-
imous vote. When the President-the great
political physician-came to doctor the Re-
pnblicans for diSunion maladies. he would
commend him to look at some of the South
ern papers which support the administration.
While they advocate a dissolution of the u
MON, the Republicans arraign the President at
the bar OF this House for making wiIful mis-
representations. He could prove that there
was diSunion party favoring the revival of
the African Slave trade and prohibiting free
speech and free press. The Republicans make
no attack on Slavery in the States; they wash
ed their hands of that Institution But when.
he said, you attempt to place it on ground in
which we have common interest. then. if we
suffer you to do it, we are respors rsible for the
institution, but not otherwise. He claimed
the Republicans as the only white mans par
ty in the country.
Dec 1S-In Sonata NJ ua1o of.rai -