The Empire County argus., 1856-03-29

CONGRESSIONAL THEOLOGY. Is the "Fut,tre State
Slave or Free? In the House of Representatives
while interrogatores were being propounded to the
candidates for Speaker, Mr. Kennel the represen-
tative of the St. Louis district, Missouri, rose and
said
81 ask is it in order to pnt one or two interroga-
tories in addition to those propounded by the gen
tleman from Mississippi? | should like to know
from each candidate for the speakership including
my friend from New Jersey, Mr. Pennington
whether he believes in future state or nor !
Laughter. And then provided he answers that
question affirmativey, desire to know whether he
believes it to be a free or slave state? Roars Of
laughter.
The next day Mr.. Pennington rose and said
MIR. Clerk | happended to be out of my seat in
the lobby, when my friend from Missouri, at the
close of my remarks, propounded the theological
questions which seemed to have so much disturbed
the gentleman from Missouri My attention has
only this morning been called to them and take
the first opportunity to reply.
My friend desires to know of each of the candi-
dates for the speakership and particularly of his
friend from New Jersey, whether he believes in a
future state; and, if that question be answered
afirmatively whether he believes it will be free
state OF a slave state.
Now, sir, have no hesitation in answering these
questions, as the House knows | am somewhat con
versant with the Westminster Catechism, and
ought to be able to instruct my friend of Missouri
[ have been taught by that catechsm that there is
such thing future state, and pledge my
friend upon my honor, that religiously believe it.
Laughter do not understand, however, that it
is wholly free state nor yet, on the other hand,
wholly slave state. 1t is represented as divided
into two states-a beautiful State, and another
State not quite so agreeable The one take to be
free state, and the other slave state. Roars Of
laughter. We are informed that these states are
separated by an impossible gulf--not exactly a
compromise line, believe. Continued laughter
We are frequently reminded, too, that one OF
those States is much the hotter of the two, and
hence take it for granted, as matter of fair infer
ence, that it is slave State and lies on the South
side of the line. Bursts of laughter l have
never examined the geography of the country, but
think 1t safe to assume, upon the basis of the laws
of population, that the State the south side of
the line has greatly the largest share of territory
quite in keeping, we believe Of one thing beg
to assure my friend, however, that shall not dis
pute the settlement Of that part of the territory
with him, nor raise any question as to the appca-
ton OF the Wilmot proviso, the principle of
squatter sovereignty, in regard to it, Laughter |
There are those, Mr. Clerk, who hold third
subdivision Of the future statea state of purgatory
Now, sir, upon that point, never found it in my
primer, am a Know Nothing. Laughter. But
of one thing am sure, that whatever may be the
fact as to the future, there is most decidedly q
present state OF purgatory, as all the candidates
attest, from their lively experience of the pur-
cation they have undergone ON this occasion. Re-
newed laughter. If | can give in my personal
experience, may save some trouble by assuring
the House, that one of the candidates at least is
past praying for. Roars of laughter.
MIR. Kennett t-Mr. Clerk, would like to say one
word in reply to the gentleman from New Jersey,
who seems SO well posted up in his catechism, and
in regard to those future States-the northern and
southern sides of the line, and purgatory He has
been kind enough to bind some of US hand and foot
here, and pitch us into the dark place. | want to
know of him, with regard to his catechism, wheth-
er, when he informed us on Saturday last that he
had got beyond ''efectual calling" he was also able
to see his election sure" Roars of laughter
AN ARTISTIC QUESTION. The great thorough
fare of every large city is boiling over with char
acters; they loom up in the maze of pedestrians at
every STEP and are known by their hair, others by
their dress, and majority by their folly. Brown
and Smith, two gentlemen known to every one who
walks the street. were out few days since, when
they were met by an overdressed individual, who
appeared as if he thought he was somebody, and
wanted every body to know it,
"Do you know that chap SMITH" said Brown.
"Yes, know him; that is know of him."
"Well, who in the name of sense is he!'