Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-08-02
Gouaressional Ntlus.
THiRTY.FoURru CoNGRE Ess.
Eiist session.
WAsmYaroN, July %.


Army Appropriation bill.
Mr. Sherman offered an amendment pro-
vilinC thet no part of the military force oil
the United States shall be employed to aid
in the enforcement of the alleged laws OF the
legislative Assembly of Kansas, convened
at tie Shawnee mission, until Congress shall
declare whether those laws were passed by a
Legislature chosen in conformity with the
organic law. and until Congress shall so
declare it shall be the duty of the President
to use the military force to preserve the
peace, suppress iusurrecton repel invasion
and protect the persons aud property of the
citizens of the Territory, and on the highways
of Missouri and elsewhere against unlawful
seizure and search, and that the President
shall disarm the present militia, recall all the
United States arms in their possession, and
prevent armed men from going into the
territory to disturb the pub ic peace, or to
inforce real or pretended laws.
The chairman, Mr.. Leider, decided the
amendment ont of order, but was overruled
by two majority.
Mr.. Sherman said his amendment was
just, fair and honest, and would do more for
the settlement Of the Kansas difficulties, than
all the bills for that purpose put together.
Mr.. Stephens contended that Congress
had no right to decide on the validity OF the
laws of Kansas. That was question for the
Judiciary and he was for the people OF the
territory governing themselves.
Mr. Grow insisted that it was the bounden
duty of Congress to protect the citizens in oil
the rights guaranteed them in the organic
act They were now controlled by despotism
md usurpation, and he was not willing that
the Federal troops should coerce them after
they had been trampled down by marauders.
Mr.. Stephens in replying, said that he
believed that the Kansas Nebraska bill was
proper one, and would have admirably
answered the purpose for which it was de
signed, had its operation not been obstructed
by these who were opposed TO it in the begin
ming, and who had clamored against it
throughout.
MIR. Phelps remarked that Mr.. Sherman's
amendment was violaiive Of the constitution,
which instrument guaranteed the right of the
people to bear arms, and provided for the
mantainance Of the militia
Mr.. Giddings was opposed to giving the
Executive funds to support despotism aud
usurpation. He would not vote o dollar for
the army without limiting the appropriations
Mr.. Smith, Of Virginia. wished the country
to know that there was party in the House
who designed to stop the wheels Of the Gov
ernment, and force the Senate into co.opera
tion with measure not practicable, and the
only effect Of which was revolution, and, he
would add moral treason.
Mr.. Stanton said the fairness Of the amend
meut should not be contested. The president
was found on the side Of tyranny. and wa!
the chief oppressor of the people of Kansas
Mr.. Davidson said that the Republicans
proposed attaching to this bill an objectiona
bic feature to which they knew the Senate
would not, and dared not agree. 1t was
treason thus to pass the appropriation bills
Let them stand on their own merits.
Mr.. Warner maintained that there was n;
power in Congress to pass upon the validity
Of the laws Of Kansas this was for the
judiciary alone.
Mr.. Shernans amendment was ther
adopted-yeas so, nays 40, and the Commit
tee then rose.
On motion, 10000 extra copies of the Re
port Of the Committee on the Pacific Raj
Road were ordered to he printed.
The House then took recess until
o'clock.
Mr.. Talbot avowed his confidence in the
Democracy, characterizing the Know Nothing
and Republican parties as revolutionary and
sntagonistic TO the best interests of the
country.
Mr.. Dowdeli eulogised the State Right!
doctrines as remedy for the evils resulting
from anti.slavery fanaticism. He preferred
that the whole slavery institution be abol
ishod at one blow, than its boundaries SHOULD
be prescribed by q legislative act. lie also
advocated the acquisition of Cuba.
Mr. Whitney entered into an argument Il
show that the Roman hierarchy claim {
supremacy over the civil laws in every
country, and ct for this there are apologist,
and advocates in Congress.
Mr.. Craige asked what practical Legislation
tho American party proposed against th'
Catholics
Mr.. Whitney replied none at present bu
they wish to amend the naturalization laws
which would reach the evil.
He contended that the papal power oppo
ses civil and religious liberty, and the sprea'
of intelligence, and therefore ought not t
be encouraged as political element.
Mr.. Burnell said, that in his judgment tn,
Republican party was purely. sectional, and
il successful, the result would be the de
structon Of the Constitution and the Union
In the heads of the members who formed III
Congressional Aid Society, including Messrs
Banks and Mace. rests all the responsbilit
for the acts of outrage in Kansas. The Re
publicans do not desire that the bleeding
wounds Of that Territory should be healed
they want to keep them for political excite
ment in the North. Nobody supposes tha
Mr.. Fillmore stards any chance of an election
and he believed that the Know Nothing
preferred Fremont TO Buchanan. Adjournel