Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-01-12
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.


After the Journal was read
Mr.. CAMPBELL, Of Ohio, corrected SOME error
in the Journal
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio desired the resolution
to be postponed.
He knew not how far this investigation would
go--how much of these political platforms were
to be brought up. He never had much respect
for party platforms. He went for none but what
his own judgment approved OF.
He had scrap-book, from which he wished to
read for their information 1t contained the Demo
cratic Platform in 1882, was slavery, and IN 1907
both parties said there should be no agitation OF
slavery. He held in his hand two platforms which
he approved of, the Constitution and Declaration
of Independence.
He would have had Bible in order to read the
platform that in ancient time was made in the
mountains OF Judea, but said there was none to be
found in the Congressional Library; there was
one, but it had been removed to make place for
the works of Eugene Sue. He thought there
should be card placed above the Speakers chair,
if the investigation went on, saying dangerous
to stand on the platform" He addressed this to
Mr.. RICHARDSON in particular.
Mr.. RICHARDSON replied to the first question
of Mr.. ZoLLICoFFER, whether he voted for the
Kansas Nebraska bill because he regarded il as
promotve of the organization of free States in
those TerritoriesY
He stated that he voted for that bill because he
regarded it as just to the rights of the people of
all sections. Its principle he said, lay at the foun-
daton of the government. He voted tor the bill
neither as pro-slavery nor anti-slavery mea-
sure but as measure intended to be just and
equal to all portions OF the country.
The next question was, whether Mr. RICHARD
SON voted for the application of the Wilmot provi
so to the Territory of Oregon, that in 1850 he OPP
posed its application to the territories acquired
from Mexico only upon the ground that it was ur-
necessary, inasmuch as the Mexican local laws in
those territories already abolished slavery--wheh
ought to be sufficient for all Free-so men and
that he committed himself to the position that il
territorial bills sent upon the question of slavery
and leaving the Mexican law to operate) were de-
feated. he would vote for bills with the Wilmot
proviso in them
To reply to this question, MIR. RICHARDSON
said would require more time.
He occupied several minutes in defending his
position, which was that in the condition of the
country III 1850 he voted implied by Mr.. ZoLLI-
GOLFER; but he was satisfied his course was in ac-
cordance with the Constitution.
In reply to the third question, Whether Mr. r.
was Of The opinion that the Constitution does not
carry slavery to, and protect it in, the Territories
of the United States
Mr.. RICHARDSON replied that he believed the
people of the Territories could decide the question
of slavery or anti-savery for themselves and that
the Constitution had no control over the subject
While the next question pending, that in
the territory acquired from Mexico and France,
| (including Kansas and Nebraska, the Missouri re-
striction was necessary to make the territory Free
because slavery existed there under France at the
| time of the acquisition, but that the Kansas and
| Nebraska bill, which repeats that restriction, but
neither egislates slavery into those Territories
excludes it therefrom in his opinion leaves those
Territories without either local or constitutional
law protecting slavery and that therefore the
Kansas and Nebraska bill promotes the formation
| of slave States in Kansas and Nebraska?
A great competition arose among the Democrats,
who seemed to be fearful that Mr.. RICHARDSON
would be placed in an awkward position by making
further replies
Many Of the members were on the floor ut once,
and the noise was so great that 1t was impossible
to hear. 8 gs, 4a.H
Before Mr.. RICHARDSON had replied TO the last
question,
Mr.. BANKS rose and said he voted for the res
oution of Mr.. q. with pleasure, and he recognised
the obligation of every candidate for Speaker to
reply to such inquiries.
/ But, he said, he was no candidate for the Speak
| ership. His friends had chosen to vote for him,
but he had accepted no nomination for the place.
| His friends voted for him, but he knew not for
| what cause l.
Still he had no objection to reply to the inter
rogatories of Mr.. ZoLLIcoFFER. He did not re-
gard the Nebraska bill as promotiye of the forma-
ton of free States.
He then avowed himself in favor of the consti-
nationality of the Wilmot Proyiso, as applied to
the Territories.
+. He then declared that he did not believe the
Constitution carried slavery into the Territories
nor did he believe that the Constitution protected
any other kind of property than that which is rec
ognsed by the universal law of nations as proper
| ty. He did not believe it protected property in
men, further than it especially referred to that
kind Of property.
The constitution established as an instru.
ment of freedom, and the American flag, he trusted
| would forever wave over free land.