Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-06-25
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
In the Senate, yesterday, after we went to
press, Mr.. Hunter continued his speech upon
the Kansas question, directing himself to the
Massachusetts, resolutions with reference to
the Brooks and Sumner affair, and to imputa-
lions OF Mr.. Sumner upon the State of Viz
glnia. He regretted that the legislature of
Massachusetts had treated a mere personal
affair between the two gentlemen named as a
matter of public moment He said that many
personal collisions between members had oc-
CURED, but this was the first instance in which
State had interfered in such affairs He
regretted this interference because it had a
| tendency to exasperate and aggrayate the
sectional animosity and strife which were al.
ready distracting the peace of the country.
While paying tribute to the revolutionary
fame of Massach usetts, he denied that her
present position in regard to her fidelity to the
constitution and the Union gave her any De-
cullar right to sit in judgment, and demand
OF Congress to execute her DEGREES His re-
marks upon the personal---very. bill in exist.
ence In Massachusetts were extremely i'm
pressive and forcible.
In reply to certain reflections upon the char
acter Of Virginia contained in Mr.. Summers
speech in connection with the institution Of
slavery, he entered upon philosophical and
conclusive vindicaton of that institution. He
| showed that transfer of slaves by sale from
one State to another was a necessary conse-
quence OF the existence Of slavery and tina
1t was essential, not only for the comfort and
happiness OF the whites, but Of the slaves also
de dwelt with power upon the impracticabil.
lty OF the abolition OF slavery without conse-
quences far more disastrous to both master
and slaves than any evils that could be pic
tured In their present relations He defied
any man to show three millions of negroes.
bond or Tree, In any country on the globe, who
had made the same progress in civilization,
and who enjoyed the same prosperity and
happiness, with those three millions in the
Southern States. He alluded to the histori
cal fact that slaves were introduced into Vir-
ginia by Old England and New England, and
said that the seller was just as responsible as
the buyer. He then showed that there were
as many men outside of the slave States as
inside of them who owe their subsistence and
their PROFITS to slave labor. At this time Old
England and New England were buying freely
the products of slave labor, and were making
profit on it They were, therefore, as respon.
sible for the continuance Of the institution as
was the STAKEHOLDER. He said that If the
people of New England and Old England
should refuse to buy the products of slave
labor it would cease to be profitable at home.
and the institution would die out. With such
views, Mr.. Hunter thought it exceedingly un-
reasonable In Massachusetts, to approve and
endorse speech which assailed the Southern
people, as aid that of Mr. Sumner. for having
amongst them the institution of slavery, for
which they were as responsible as were the
Southern people.
Mr.. Hunters vindication of Virginia against
the charge of turpitude" contained in Mr.
Summers speech was characterised by the
loftiest eloquence and the most noble devotion
to the fame Of his native State.
In the course Of his remarks Mr. Hunter
discussed with great ability the question of
constitutional privilege" as guaranteed by
that instrument. His investigation of the
subject had induced him to change his mind
as to the correctness of the conclusions ut
which the Senate committee had arrived in
the case Of Mr. Brooks, and he regretted that
the Senate had not declined to take jurisdic-
ton OF the matter, and to leave ii to the Judi
cial trlbunsls, to which he thought il prom
eriy belonged. Mr.. Hunter c)gsed with a
powerful appeal to the Senate and to the
country In behalf Of q restoration of more
Ainaiy and fraternal feelings than now pre.
ana In language of the most thrilling
sloquonoes depicted the fatal consequences
snaI must follow If something was not done 10
arrest the career Of mad seetionaIism
Mr. Seward replied to that position of Mr.
Hunters speech, arguing that the action of
the Senate upon the BROOKS and Sumner off.;r
was proper, and essayed to show that thu 70
| solves of the Massachusetts, Legislature unon
il had also been proper.
The debate was further continued by Messrs.
Butler and Pearce, in short, but powerful
speeches, and by Mr.. Hunter in few closing
remarks; until they adjourned.
In the House, various territorial bills we're
considered in committee Of the Whole on the