Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-02-01
b. caas;n. the Stalls 10 a.aume .his v~csPonsi.

. Wv '' '''-' ''hh - - a't
that Il III" III that snrt sii0Uh! 20 before the country
Il Mist necessarily be modified.
Another thin: in respect t" this biii-thc bill as
originally went from this House. besides being
bill which provided specially far the case Ut Parsons
Ms well rs those general provisions adyerted 10 in ln
former discussion, |; contains a provision tn direct tM
Governor, III certain contingencies, to convene IN
Legislature.
Now, sir. what is the state of the cusc upon which
we are called upon 10 act! When this bill was hcf'r'
the House, originally. the object Ui tn" promp, acti"l
upon il was, tn relieve i'lrsoi. from III" necessity /"
appearing 10 stand his tria! in Pennsylvania. Tia
was the reason that We were called upon 10 net III thr
matter. 1t was, therefore, enough! Ia puss the bill! iD
that purpose, and leave the general provisions fo
more mature consideration, either b. the joint Com
mittee, appointed to consider the whole subject, Oh
some either mode.
Nuw, sir, as | understand the Senate bill, they have
in fact, taken that view OF the subject: they have. il
fact, reported n bill which is designed TO protect Par,
sons from his liability under his rccurniZance. II he
thought proper Ia avail himself of t!i. protection
But Inc did not avail himself of it, and am clad thai
he has taken that course, and that he has thought
proper Ia 90 there aud stand his trial. Then, I'M.
qu-stionably, the bill as it originally passed the
House, as well as the bill that came from the SENATE,
is, as was said in the discussion, this morning, wholly
unnecessary, so far rs relates Ia Parsons indemnity,
and the indemnity OF his surct.rs: for, as | have said,
he has gone back to stand his trial.
Now, under these circumstances, ask, what course
does il behuovc.thiS General Assembly, acting not
:ncrely from impulse, but Judgment. and with respect
To III. honor and dignity of the State interest, for the
time b~ring-what course does il bchoove US TO pur.
sue! Does ii bcIoOvc us, under these circumstances,
10 pass the bill in lis present shape, or 20 on pcrpct-
uaily keeping UP this difference between the two
Houses {! What object can be attained by taking the
vote now upon d;sagrcring with the Senate in their
amendments, when, if tie IIvus. should disagree, the
Senate must either rccedc, or insist, or refer it to Il
cummi;tce of conference Certainly, sir, this ques-
ton Gun be- properly disposed Of by being committed
10 II committee Ut conference; and tho sole question
is, whether We shall do that now, or do t after having
the vote taken upon the question of diSagreeing with
the Senate III their amendments.
The motion, rs | understand it, suhmittel by the
gentleman from buckingham, (Ar. BuSDUKAST, Is,
10 appoint u committee "f conference.
SrEAKER.-The gentleman has not submitted that
motion. The question Is NOW upon disa.rceing with
the Senate in their amendment.
Mr.. SrANARp.--l understood the Speaker to decide
that the motion was in order.
SpEAKER.-The chair decided that it was not in or.
der, when the gentleman from Buckingham submit
ted that motion. He corrected himself since, how
cvcr-mcnnwhiln having entertained n motion t.
disagree with the Senate in their amendment. 1t
would not b" IN order Eow to mike That motion. To
entertain it would be 10 comm, another error, and
two wrongs cannot make n ri-ht.
Mr.. thKNErr.-I understand III. chair 10 decide
that the pending question is upon my motion To dis
agree with the Senate III their amelimcnt.
SrEAKEK.-Iha question takes precedence ncces.
sari!v.
Mr.. CARTER next addressed the House. anr said
Mr.. Speaker: II | understand the decision al the
Chair, II IS, that the vote will first he taken upon tn.
motion To- Disagree 10 the amendment Ui the S"na!r:
nnG, sir, for that motion | cannot vote. 1t will be re-
mcinb"red by all who heard the remarks ! had the
honor Ia submit, when this subject was before this
House for consideration, Oh Thursday last, tina; ear
ncstiy deprecated the course then pursued. begged
gentlemen 10 temper their Zeal n little, and not insist
upon taking u vote upon u question which all deemed
of grcut Importance, without giving Il little more
time To consider the merits OF the bill, and, ii posi-
bic, 81 dIvest it OF those features which were ObIcc-
tIonnhl- To some gentlemen, us would secure for il an
undivided support. But, ar, under the influence OF
The almost passionate excitement which then swaycd
the House. my voice nmd that Ofothers WIS UNDECIDED.
and in hot haste The bill was passed. j; is true, Mr..
S~prnhcr, ] vote! Tor that bill. but it wa. because |
then thought II was the best which, under the cir
cumstnuce., ! could obtain; aud I was unwilling to be
snSp'ctrd even, Ut opposing Il measure which Ind for
III object the protection al Il citizen of our Common
wealth, and The dignity and honor Of that Commons
wealth Itself. But ! thought then, il n little time tor
reflection and conference could be obtained, the bill.
NIGH: he - amended us Ia accomplish tn" object We
al had in view, and vet might be such rs would not
be obnoxious {" any of the objections which gentle
men crlsc;cniiouSIT entertain. The result, sir, con.
firms the opinions | then expressed, ana | mink II Is
apparent now, tu all, that the aciinn Oi tiiis House. Oh
that OCCASION, was precipltatc, and not such, rs be-
! came its own dignity aud the magnitude and iinpor-
lance oi the subject demanded. | prefer the Senate
bill. Mr.. Speaker, b-caisc, IN my opinion, 1t accom-
p!lshcs tn: very thing which the House bill failed Ia
d.: and here, sir. IN OIc.cr Ia Il proper understanding
of til. subject. let Us refer back 20 the resolution by
which il MAS inir"duccG 10 the consideration 81 the
House. Tn tie 18th OF December last, the gentleman
from Hampshire, (Mr. lIEIr,l offered the following
rcsn!utior. which WAS adopted, and which led to the
presentation Of the bill n"w under diScussi"n, which,
with thc permission of the House, | wIl read
"iesolvcd, That 4 select committee be appointed
to enquire into the expectancy of appr"pfia;ing s..
-, ii = n.I. Inn Iya.--,y L. HE
the c"r::l;y Of Hampshire, 10 employ counsel 10 de-
icuf him l.a;r-; M indic;;ucI: in ono Of the Courts
Of Peniisyi. anna ior Kidnapping; the said Parsons
having secured a:ri ARRESTED! a fugitive slave, his own
property, under aud BY virtue of the Fugitive Slave
Law; and also, for the object OF prosecuting said Of
Tenders"
! am surprised, Mr.. Speaker, at the burst Of indig-
nation winch proceeded from the gentleman from
Hampshire, Mr.. HIErr,) and Which was repeated by
the gentleman from King George and Stafford, tMr.
SEDp"N.l when these gentlemen declared, that the
Senate, by Offering a prcuniary assistance, had i'll
sn!tcG, not only Parsons, but the people Of llnmp-
shire. Why, Mr.. Speaker. look nj the resolution j.
rot prCuniary MD the rrry aid, aud all the aid asked
Tor and contemplated i'll the resolution ! Now, sir,
the gentleman from King George ami Stafford. iMr.
SEDpoS,) hns proclaimed himself the champion at the
House, and asks ii there is Il single gentleman who
will stand up III this Hall and defend the course ut
the Scriatc' ! do not ASSUME To b. the champion Or
the defender of the other branch of the General As.
scrnbly. | do not think they need Il defender. But, sir,
u d ~ pun HIS ltlscE Ii,Ut DelIIc lllA DuS anu
To give the REASONS by whicl | am governed in my
votes um this question, that | have troubled the ii0us.
with these remarks. / have said that the Senate bill
proposes {" do what the House bill fails tn do. Com
pare the two bills. Does the latter meet the case ~
expressed in the original resolution It asked thar
all might be furnished in defending Parsons before
one Ut the Courts OF Pennsylvania that money
might be- appropriated for that purpose. The House
hill does not look ut oil 10 that, it makes no such pro-
vision.
The House, sir, has lost sight of the original pur-
pose, "a expressed by the resolution referred 10; aud
no wonder. sir, when we consider the ardOr ami ex-
element which governed gentlemen on the occasion
uf the passage OF the bill, and which exercised n con.
trolling Influence in this hall.
Ii will not do, sir, for Us tn lose sight Of the great
and important interests ut stake. IL is the duty of the
Commonwealth Of Virginia, in her sovereign capnci-
IS, tn afford such aid and protection 10 each and every
one of her citizens ~ the case may demand. But II
will MOI do for her Ia set at defiance the restraints ot
law and "a" solemn obligations Dt her own, rs well as
the federal CONSTITUTIONS. The case il now pending III
the courts Of Pennsylvania, and until lha; case Is de-
c!de;L, | do not think we have sufficient reason tor
the extreme measures advocated by many gentlemen
on this floor. IL looks, sir, a. If we would orcrawe
the courts nj Il sister State; and ! submit TO thiS
House, would VT Tor one moment sG!!cr such inter-
ference with our laws and oar courts, If the case were
| reversed No.. sir-no.
lrcpcat, Mr.. Speaker, we should no: place ourselves
rs u State, in Il wrong position. Virginia owes It IL
her citizen, Mr.. Parsons, 30 afford 10 h!In sucl pro-
lection ~ his case demands. She owesi il 10 herself to
guard her own honor and integrity: md whilst the one
is attended IL, the other should no, be overlooked.
Mr.. llIETr.-l offered M resolution entirely at
nv own Instance, aud without q full knowledge W
the facts OF the case. S.ncc then | was pu; in pos
session of other facts, which led me to conclude thai
the resolution did not 20 far enough.
Mr.. DICKINsuS, OF Ricl!m"nl City, said: | look
upon this A. Il very grave and important subject.
do not regard II IL q mere matter of dollars and
cents. | place the question upon far higher grounds
that is constitutional grounds, and il il with reference
To- it, bearing III this respect, rather than the mere
personal protection nt Parsons, that regard 1t. /
Parsons has made himself amcnable to ~. laws 81
Pennsylvania and is guilty Of the charge Of kiinap
ping. let him he punished. But let us see il he !:
Justly cEargeahic with this offence. II ls unneccsSa
~ here TO recite the facts; the House Is already iull.
in possession Of them. The crime il tur Selling hi
nwu nrnncrtY: mud Il Is fnr that he is now on Irln