Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-12-26
Interesting Debate in Congress.

VIC ucSalc III tue mouse OF hepreSen-
tatiyes, Wednesday, on the Presi-
dents Message.
The Househas been musical all day.
Mr.. Walker OF Ala, who was entitled
to the floor, was too i'll to speak to-
day, and gave notice that he would
speak next Tuesday, ON that portion
of the Message relating to Central
America.
Nh. Washburn Of Me-. got the
floor, and made an able speech in ex-
position of the doctrine Of the Mes
sage and in defense of the Republican
party. He was interrogated by Mr..
Smith of Va, to know il new State
should apply for admission. into the
Union with Constitution asking the
right to form her own institutions If
she should have his vote.
Mr.. Washburn.-When that ques-
ton comes up. shall meet il and
vote as circumstances guide me. Now,
| will ask the geatleman from Virgin
ia a question: II Utah should apply
for admission into the Union, with a
constitution establishing polygamy.
will she receive his vote ? Laugh
ter.
Mr.. Smith-When the gentleman
answers my question, | will reply 10
his. Laughter
Mr.. Cobb Of Ala, Good That
is Yankee eat Yankee [Continued
laughterl
Mr.. SMITH repeat the question.
Mr.. Washburn-And | repeat mine
Roars Of laughter
Mr.. Washburn proved that the
President had made up a false record
Of history, and denounced him In I'll.
ling terms. All heresies and sins OF
opinion. IL not OF practice. may be toll
erable. tolerated and excused, IL we
may Judge from the language an con-
duct of the President and his party,
except the enormous crime OF LOVING
Liberty and hating Slavery. This Is
the objectionable sin which shall not
be ondurec neither under this Admin
iatration nor that which Is TO come -
Why, Sir. old.Line Whigs-Whigs
OF the straightest sect--High- Tariff
men. Bank men. and all those whom
tho Democracy for quarter Of a cen
tury have charged with being unpat.
riotic and dangerous men, unworthy
Of the confidence OF the people. though
they ftand covered rs with a garment
by their unrepented sins, have but TO
bow the knee 10 the dragon Of Slave.
ry and worship Il as the god Of their
political idolatry. and they are hailed
~ good members Of the modern Dem.
ooratic party. put forward to places
OF leadership. and nominated 10 i'm.
poriant Offices. Third.Degree Know
Nothings. in all their foggcry. fresh
from their fulmnations against the
Pope. and hoarse with denouncIng
those who constitute. IL not majority,
very large proportion Of the Demo.
cratic yoters-I mean our adopted
citizens-declare that the triumph OF
Freedom In national election would
be tantamount 10 a dissolution Of the
Union, aud would justify It. and are
joyfully received as the willing and
welcome allies and loving coadjuta-
tors oI the Sham Democracy. NulIi6-
ers aud Fire Eaters. red with uncom.
mon wrath-the men against whom
Jackson Numbered In i832-nc soon
er pronounce Slavery blessing, and
the very corner stone Of republican
institutions. than they are made the
oracles. law-givers. and platform-buil-
ders Of the party. Is Il not singular
that all these outrages. aggressIons,
crimes and treasons. OF which the
President seriously complains, should
be found only in the North-the land
Of Free Schools aud a free Gospel--in
which il is no oIlense TO read the Bible
to the poor and lowly? To adopt the
Presidents style Of Argument. ]
would inquire. Is il true that educa.
tioa leads only to error-is 1t true that
the Christian religion is the nursing
mother Of every vice and every crime?
And is il not shameful that these
wanton ISLANDERS, these swashing aud
malignant diatribes against the North
should come from one who was reared
and nurtured in her bosom, and who.
like the Cowboys Of the Revolution,
can find nothing good among his own
people and nothing wrong among their
opponents ?
Mr.. Keitt, Of South Carolina, fol-
lowed. We parted here last Summer
said he, in the midst OF contest up
on this Slavery question. We have
met again, just after the Presidential
election, and almost while counting the
regiments which have been cut down
and the banners which have been de-
molished in the fight, we have, in both
Houses. a discussion sprung upon us
again. He disclaimed that the discus
sion was the result Of any action Of the
South side of the House. He said itgrew
out Of Mr.. White6eld's appearance as
Delegate for Kansas, and defended
Whitefeld's right TO seat. He de-
clined taking part in the discussion al
this time, in the questions brought in
to the debate. He defended the right
Of Southern man to hold property
in man. and said IL was as good as his
right to any other property.
Mr.. Washburn, Of Maine-Does
not the gentleman hold that South
Carolnian has the right, under the
Constitution, the supreme law Of the
land, to take his slave into the Terri
tories +? And how is 1t that supreme
law of the land ceases to operate the
very moment the people Of territory
come to form State Constitution
Mr.. Keitt-I would ask the gentle,
man whether he could cease 10 hold
his horse under the Constitution
Mr.. Washburn--Yes, If the loca
laws decided 1t was not property.
Mr.. Keitt-Suppose there are no 10
cal laws there 7
Mr.. Washburn Then / suppose