Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-12-25
Congregational.
WAsHINaToy, Dec. 16.

SENATE.-On motion OF Mr.. Dodge, res
olution was adopted calling on the Secretary
of War for copies of all letters addressed to
that department or to Wilson Shannon, late
Governor of Kansas, by Colonel Sumner, rel
alive to Kansas affairs, which have not here
tofore been communicated.
Mr.. Brown gave notice Of his intention to
introduce a bill providing for the construc-
ton of Railroad Telegraphic communica-
ton between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts,
and for other purposes.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill amendatory
to the act to organize territories Of Nebraska
and Kansas. Referred 10 the Committee on
Territories.
On motion of Mr.. Rusk, joint resolution
granting further time to the creditors Of Texas
to present their claims and other purposes,
was taken up. Mr.. Rusk explained and adj
vocated the resolution which extends the
time to January LIST, 1868, and repeats the
proviso in the former act for the distribution
pro rata Of the residue TO those who have
filed their releases.
Benjamin thought the resolution ought not
to pass, and moved It's reference TO the Com
mittee on Finance, in order for thorough in
vestigation.
Negatived. No final action was taken.
Fessenden introduced bill in addition to
the act, more effectually to provide for the
punishment Of certain crimes against the
United States.
Referred to the judiciary Committee.
Fessenden explained that il was intended
to remedy certain defects in the criminal law.
1t has been found that for the crime of man.
slaughter, when committed on the high seas,
but the person not dying until he arrived on
shore, there is no punishment. Instances
have occurred where the individual commit
ting such crime has escaped on this ground.
Otis bill proposed to remedy that defect.
There was also an omission of a similar ma
ture, with reference TO case of poisoning Ia
king place at sea, and in which the person
does not die till he comes on shore. For this
crime there is no punishment provided in ex-
isting law. He alluded to the singular an
omaly in law that an assault with dangerous
weapons, where death does not ensue, is now
punishable with three years imprisonment at
hard labor; but the same offence, when death
ensues, is punished by three years. imprison-
ment without hard labor, which seems very
inconsistent with justice.
Adjourned.
HousE.-Mr. Whitfield introduced bill
providing for the assessment of damages sus-
tanned by loss and destruction of property be-
| longing to citizens of Kansas, during the re-
cent disturbances in said Territory; also bill
establishing District Court in Leavenworth
City and other places in Kansas, also bill
establishing two additional Land Offices in
Kansas.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, from the Commit
tee on Ways and Means, reported various In.
dian, Civil and Army appropriation bills
which were referred to the Committee of the
Whole on the State of the Union.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, reported a bill
amending the 2ath section of the tariff act OF
Aug. 1912, SO as to prohibit the importation
of indecent and obscure prints, Transparent
cies, statues, &C., the parties offending TO be
proceeded against in due form of law and the
article destroyed. Passed.
On motion of Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, the
bill reducing the duties on imports and for
other purposes, reported last session, was
postponed till the first Tuesday In January.
Debate on the Presidents annual Message
was then resumed.
Nicholas commended that notwithstanding
the assertions of the President, the agitation
of the Slavery question was legitimate con-
sequence of the repeal of the Missouri Com
promise 1t i'll became the Executive in the
face OF the policy endorsed by the latter, to
make use OF such language as he had in con-
domination of those who differed from him.
1t is said that those who oppose the policy Of
the administration are abolitionists. He held
in the broadcast sense that Congress may gov
ern the territories and exclude Slavery or any
other institution it may deem injurious to
their prosperity. II this made him an aboli-
ZIONIST he was one. His object was to supply
some pages in political history which had
been omitted by the Democrats.
He referred to the speeches of Douglas and
others in '48, articles in newspapers and the
proceedings of the Democratic Conventions
and, Legislatures to show that in the Demo-
cratic party there is much difference of opin-
ion relative to the slavery question, large
portion of them advocating the exclusion of
slavery from the Territories. Notwithstand-
ing this, those who, as party, hold similar
opinions are denounced in offensive terms by
the President who has added insult to injury
in his remarks. He stated that during the
Presidential election, it being necessary to
conciliate popular sentiment in the Free
States, the very men who opposed the cleo
ton of Fremont charged his friends with hos
tility to the prevention of slavery in the Ter
ritories. As to the threats of disunion ia the
event of Fremont's election made by the
Democrats, such fears existed only in the
heated and disordered brains of politicians
and not in the hearts of the people.
Crawford approved Of every word in the
Presidents Message. He believed, notwith-
standing their denials, that the Republicans
were prepared to interfere with the institu-
tions in the Slave States, refusing to come
| forward bold aud manfully, meeting their 20
litical sdversaries face to face, to attack sla-
very in the outposts and destroy the institu-
ton in the States by breaking down the guar
antees ofthe Constitution which secure to the
slave holder his property. The project OF
the Republicans, he contended, was revolu-
tionary, and he proceeded to show from
events in the recent canvass aud the history
of the past that those who are absolutely in
favor Of excluding slavery fro-, the terrific
ries, arsenal, and the District of Columbia,
etc., are likewise in favor of interfering with
the institution in the slave States.
Jones of Tennessee, argued that there was
no express power delegated to Congress to es-
tablish territorial government, but holding
large extent of soil, the Constitution gives
authority for the application of rules under
which the country shall be settled and the
public lands sold. Then in accordance with
this first great principle the law organizing
Nebraska and Kansas derived its vitality
from the implied consent of the free men
who settle the country. They could be al
lowed the right to frame their own insttu.
tons. The power of Territorial assemblagt
extended to all rightful subjects of Legisla-
ton consistent with the Constitution of the
United States, and the principles of the or.
ganic act. The Republican party SO far from
carrying out the principles true to Republi-
canism, would play the part of despotism un-
der the cry of liberty and freedom, by claim.
ing and exercising power to govern the peo-
pie of the territories. Adjourned.
STAGE STRrJCK-The New York Miro