Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-04-09
From the Ohio State Journal.
The Dred Scott Case in the Senate

The bred Scott Case in the Senate
The jesutical decision ofthe Federal Court, in
the Dred Scott case was the subject Of brief but
earnest discussionin the senate yesterday afternoon
1t was opened by Mr. Kelley, who animadyerted
in most forcibls and indignant terms upon the
!mons!rous and nhuman" decision Of the Roman
/ Catholic Chief Justice, which he denounced as an
infamous aggression upon the common rights Of
mankind: He said be was prepared for any step
that might become necessary TO vindcate human
freedom against the encroachments Of the Slave
power, and warned the South in the strong Ian
guage Of the Creator to the ocean, "hitherto shalt
thou come, but no fuHher here shall thy proud
waves be stayed;" or, in the language ofthe Mac
edoniaus to their foes, "lf you come upon US, you
come upon he points Of oar spears" After
completing his remarks, be offered preamble and
resolution, instrueting the judiciary committee to
inquire and report what legislation is necessary to
prevent the introduction of Slavery into this State.
Mr.. Griswoll followed in a general den unciation
ofthe decision, and of the Democratic party which
he held responsible for the wrongs inflicted upon
freedom. Like Mr.. Kelley, he would resist the
application of the principles of the jesuitca decis
ion of the supreme Court, and that too, without
violating IA single principle of the federal COnsti-
tuition.
Judge Mathews rose, and in temperate though
earnest language deprecated premature judg.
ment of the decision of the court, which he held
had not yet been given to the country through
the press under authority, and therefore, if the
Senate did not wish to have injustice imputed to
It, and did not desire to stand in false position
it behooved them to delay until authentcat ed
copies of the op inions of the Court were before
them Thence he proceeded in guarded language
to skirt around the coast of Chief Justice Taney's
opinion. which he said was not indorsed in princi-
pie, by the Cincinnati Platform and emphatically
expressed bis individual opinion that 'the Terrific
rial Legislatures have the right to regulate the
institution of Slavery within their own jurisdiction
and might admit or reject it as they please"
He then went on to say that "such was the
principle enunciated in the Cincinnati Plat
FORM,
Mr. Grswoll interposed with the ramark that
MrMatthews "is the first man he had ever heard
say So"
Mr.. Matthews proceeded upon the question oi
Slavery, when the following pertinent cate
chism was imposed upon him by Mr., Marsh, Of
Prebe
Mr.. Marsh-"Do you believe that Congress
has the power to legisate for the Territories?"
Mr. Mathews-"I do believe that congress has
the power to Iegslae for the Terr:tories most dis
tinctly, Yes! And further, if Congress has not
power-which it has-theu the power to regulate
Slavery in their Territories S vested in the peo.
pie. and in their Territorial Legislatures, and they
can admit or reject Slavery, as they please. 1t is
power hich they never conceded to the Fed
eral COnstiutiOn;a "a power which they never dives
ted themselves, and it is theirs beyond all contro
versy."
Mr.. Marsh--"Do you concur with Judge Ia
ney's decision in the Dred Scott casel'
Mr. Matthews-"No not in any particular, if
bis decision is as it is reported"
Mr., Marsh asked one or two more questions of
similar character, which we're kindly entertained
and were answered freely and without reserve
Mr. Matthews, extricating himself with his usual
ability from the dilemma in which he seemed fix
ed without hope of escape He then continued to
discuss sundry general political principles touching
, the subject Of Slavery associated with the Demo
cratic and Republican parties and when he corcu,
ded was followed by Mr.. Marsh who made an
eloquent speech upon the great question of hnman
freedom, in which he took occasion to exhibit the
glaring inconsistency of the Democrotic party, aud
to express the ardent hope that he would soon be
able to welcome back bis friend from Hamilton,
into the full brotherhood of the Republican church.
The preamble and resolution prevailed by strict
" partizah vote all the Democrat Senators under
the leadership of Mr. Matthews voting against them
and the Republicans sustaining them unanimous.
ly.
We remark in conclusion that at future day,
before the close of the session, Mr. Matthews will
: give his views in full on the subject of Sla.
: very.
| EE- The man who was found in liquor has been
{ L kor out hy Lis friends.