New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-01-22
NUMBER 24o.
rAlrty.Fonrth congzeaa-Eirat session. ].

E A-ss HS%sA04 III
The account below Of the debate and proceed 9
ings in the House d On the 12th
is sonae#hat interesting and hi ighly amuaing liz
III FAsHISeT0s, Jan, IL, 1856. III Il
y House.T---A debate ensusd in which several o.
members expressed their opposition to turning d
tho House into a debating society and opening q
Mr.. Richardson thought that he could get / Z
through with his part Of the performance under lo
the ten minutes rule, and Mr. Gampbe at His i
request, withdrew his motion to rescind. Ia
Humphrey Marshall thought the patches of
interrogatories to the candid should be filed,
and that the candidates SHOULD reply il printed
publications at their leisure
; Mr. Richardson replied to the series Of writ Ii
ten interrogatories proposed By Mr.. Zollieofer,
and commanded the marked attention Of the
members and the audience throngiBg the gal
leries He said that in acting for the Kansas
and Nebraska bill he intended the people Of the
Territory to decide the question themselves, and |
be would admit them as States with or without |
slavery. He had said that slavery would not |
90 there, but he never urged that as q reason
why be voted for the bill: AS to the coustitu-
tionslity OF the Wilmot ProViso, he voted for the
principle as applicable to the Mexican acquisi-
tion In a spirit Of compromise, but it would be
unjust to incorporate it in Territorial bill.
In his judgment the Constitution does not carry
slavery lutO tue 1eTE4tOflEssDA pEOtSGtS DOhh
sections Of the Union alike. 81 WI
There was much squabbling as to the order
Of precesdings and twas finally decided that
the candidates should answer Mr.. Zollicofer's
queries before others were propounded.
MIR. Banks was then called out, and the mem-
bers drew up their chairs around him. He did
not feel obliged, he said, to answer the ques-
tons. He had not solicited the support Of any.
He said Of his friends, as Othello Raid Of his
wife, s.they had eyes and they chose me. He
| distinctly remarked that he did regard the
Kansas bill as promotiVe Of the formation Of
| free States He believed in the constitutional
| ity Of the Wilmot Proviso, but did not believe
| that the Constitution carries slavery into the
Territories. He recognized the right fof the
protection Of property at the North and South
alike. but not property in slaves. He believed
| the Constitution an instrument Of freedom, and
i Congress wrong in repeating the Missouri Com
promise. s ~ lGF9
Applause from the Republicans, and confu-
sion,sw cries for Fuller.
4 Mr.. Fuller said he was ready ct any time to
retire from the field Of protracted contest. he
either Of free or slave States. and had never
} advocated the constituti6nality Of the Wilmot
Prcviso Slavery exists Independently Of the
Constitution. Congress, therefore, had no right
to legisate slavery in or out Of thu Territories,
and only the right to legislate SO far as to pro-
tect the citizens in the enjoyment of their pro-
J perty. ..st=
! He said he had no idea SO obscure and unprorn-
! ising 8 candidate as himself would be required
: to define his position. He was outside the tri-
9 angle. (Laughter.) He most respectfully de-
}, clined to make any reply, but would do soWhen
e the House seriously intended to make use Of his
i name in connection with the Speakership. Il
!. was no consequence what were the individual
g opinions Of the presiding officer. E
: Impatient cries from all quarters of seal
a the roll, vote, etc. Il
n Mr. Barksdale asked Mr. Banks. Are you q
n member of the Know Nothing party! Are you
s. in favor of slavery in the District Of Columbia
o Do you wish to promote an equality between
IS the white and black races BY legislation: Ar
= you in favor Of the entire exclusion Of natural
!. lied citizens and Catholics from Office? AT
ID you in favor Of the modification Of she tariff o
Is you were last session.
le Mr.. Kennett said he should like to kno
pc whether either Of the candidates believe in
ne future state, and provided each answer in q
to affirmative, he desired 70 know whether in
free or slave state Excessive laughter)
at ssNMr. Barksdale advanced toward Mr.. Kennel
on and excitedIy inquired: s.Do you intend to ca
reflection on me' i hurl it back with scol
= and contempt" gg9Eg3 ~ l.E s@7s
he Deafening calls of ssorder!' Nearly all 81
ea members on their feet, and various unsucoessf
,0' motions TO adJourn. e" Sa1.s
he Mr.. Kennett--No difficulty, in or out of Il
ng Hall, shall intimidate me. I say to the Hous
at that my suggestions were merely iocular.
no Mr.. Barksdale--I treat it with scorn and co.
tempt, sir. bsa2s@q5
s: Order was finally restored.
en- Mr.. Richardson replied negatively to M
IN Barksdales queries, excepting the last.
;ly Mr.. Banks, in answering Mr.. Barksdale's il
no terrogatories, preferred doing SO in his ov
NOV having the penS1aneD IN draw their nv
inferences. He was nominated by Demoora
IN and Americans--the latter being the larg
portion of his District--and by them electe
lie referred to the record OF last year for b
en views on the tariff. He had adopted the maxi
1e' of Junius, 1t is unfortunate for to spel
r. any considerable time commenting on his oV
30 work. Laughter s De-
ese AS to the equality Of the white and bla
races, he believed in the language of the Decl
ration of Independence-ssT THAT all men we
Ter created free and eaual."s He had adopted t
ds, idea that the weaker race will be absorbed
,us thestronger; that was the universal law of n
wn ture; but whether the white or black was sur
rior and would absorb the other, he would VT
n1r for the full development of the future. [Laug
- ter and cries of 6 Good."l As to- the oth
eh- questions propounded, they were subordinate
that of prohibiting slavery in Kansas.
at would not ask any man Whathe thought Of t
ase or that measure, but would unite all to int
lit dict slavery in the Territories.
ich Mr.. Fuller answered that he was not in FAY
,rs. Of the restoration Of the Missouri restricti
few and was opposed to the abolition of slavery
os the District of Columbia. He did not belle
wi in the equality of the white and black rae
He thought with Washington that the best poll
,lso Of the Governmenttwas to appoint native-bc
citizens to Office in preference to those of forei
birth. He would prescribe no man for his re
7es gion but would accede to all the largest lbel
the Of opinion. He did not desire to exclude f
an 81. eigners from hither, and would invite them
sis, settle the public territory and build up
ION themselves homes. Butt all matters of leg
;. laton and in the administration Of the Ia
Americans should govern America [Appla
the from the Americans .~5a sa,Sss55
the Mr. Richardson answered various questi
4 - on the subject of slavery, propounded by
49, bingham. %@
ster Each party appeared entirely satisfied "
sses the responses of its candidate.
The House then proceeded to take anot
of vote for Speaker, which resulted as folio
tter Banks 81, Richardson 60, Fuller 81, Penni
.bev ton Z. Williams, Henry, Barnett and Por
a in each one. Necessary to choice, 104.
liti The House then adjourned. -
eism .T# @t'~= -
te of DEATH ey Cu1oRoFoRM. Saturday af
i ~ at. -