The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-25
CONGRESS-.
THIRD SESSION.
Tuesday, December l6, 1856.


p.,,1red. That copies of correspondence be-
In Col Sumner and the War Department,
~ hitherto communicated, be sent to the
House. =,
-s;Iroad and telegraph to the Pacific ocean.
Bill By Mr.. Wilson to repeal the obnoxious
acts of Kansas.
Discussion on joint resolution granting
f,rther time to Texas creditors to present their
claims.
Bll BY Mr.. Fessenden for the more effectual
enlistment of crimes committed on he high
seas. ,,,,
R;Il by Mr.. Whitfield for assessing damages
srstained by citizens of Kansas during late dis
turbsnces.
Indian. civil, and army appropriation bills,
rsDorted by Mr.. Campbell, and referred to the
Committee Of the Whole on the state of the
Union.
Bill reported by Mr.. Campbell, and passed,
nroLibiting the Importation of obscene and in
decent prints, trsnsparencies, and statuettes.
Consideration of tariff bill, reported at last
session, deferred till the first Tuesday in Jan
nary.
The debate on the Presidents annual mes
saye was resumed.
-
assertions Of the President, that the agitation
Of the Slavery question is the Legitimate conse-
ouence Of the repeal of the Missouri Compro.
mise 1t i'll became the Executive, in the face
Of the policy endorsed by him, to make use of
such language as he had done In condemnation
of those who differed from him. 1t was said
that those who oppose the policy or the Admin
istration were Abolitionists. He held in the
broadcast sense that Congress may govern the
Territories, and exclude Slavery or any other
Institution it may deem injurious to their pros
perity. If this made him an Abolitionist, he
was one.
With the object of supplying some pages in
nolitical history which had been omitted BY
the Democrats in this discussion, he would re-
fer to the speeches of Mr.. Douglas and others
in 1913, articles in newspapers, and proceedings
Of democratic Conventions and Legislatures, to
show that in the Democratic party there is much
difference of opinion relative TO the Slavery
question: large portion advocating the excu-
SION of Slavery from the Territories. Notwilh-
standing this, those who, as party, hold SINH
lar opinions, are denounced in offensive terms
by the President, who has added insult to in
Jury The very men who opposed Mr.. Fremonts
election charged his friends with hostility to the
prevention of Slavery; and this was done to
conciliate popular sentiment in the free States.
As to the threat of disunion, in the event OF Mr..
Frsmont's election, made by the Democrats,
such fears existed only in the heated and dis
ordered brains Of politicians, and not In the
hearts of the people.
Mr. Crawford approved of every word in the
Presidents message. Hebelieved, notwithstand-
ing their denials that the Republicans we're
repaired to interfere with tie institutions of the
ave States.
Mr. Jones, of Tennessee, argued that no ex-
oress power had been delegated to Congress to
stabish Territorial government; but, holding
large extent of soil, the Constitution gives
authority for the application of rules under
which the country shall be settled, and the pub-
lie lands sold. Then, In accordance with this
first great principle, the law organizing Kansas
and Nebraska derived its vitality from the i'm
piled consent of the freemen who settle the
country. They should be allowed to exercise
the night to frame their own institutions-the
power Of the Territorial Assembly extending to
AL rightful subjects of legislation consistent
with the Constitution Of the United States and
the principles Of the organic act The Repub-
llcan party, so far from carrying out the prin.
cipes Of true Republicanism, would play the
par! OF despotism, under the cry OF Liberty and
Freedom, BY claiming and exercising power to
govern the people in the Territory. Adjourned.
Wsdaesddy December IL 1855