The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-07

y were limited the mode in which those laws have
netimes been enforced. and did not 10 extend to
t laws themselves feared that might have misunder
God him shall rejoice his efficient aid in adapt
legislation to more liberal ana expanded views OF
pl Icy We the great power OF this continent and
have the right 10 adopt policy purely American am
utterly opposed 70 moulding national policy in regard
to American affairs to suit the views Of England France,
any of the great powers of Europe We want no treaties
with them to fix our relations with American States or TO
define and reg ulae connexon WITH our duties to-
wards those States Great Britain does not degn TO con-
suit in reference to her relations with inc empires OF
Asia; and why should administer 70 hsr pride oy
making her party intercourse with the aoacent
States Of this continentf
The point OF interest u.s. at present. Nicaragua
do propose pass eulogium on General walker,
but do regard him OF those instruments whicn IN
the hands Povdence used to facilitate the march OF
civilization and improvement and the spread OF liberal po-
ca principles throughout the aires portions OF the world
Shall our government then throw obstacles In the way oil
his progress Should not rather by all proper means
encourage such desirable results Had liberal poncy
always been pursued and had not oar government inc
of stringent and penal laws adopted inc
and suicidal policy Of preventing our citizens from
ave of neutral duties the liberal party in Nicaragua
of which Walker is chief would be peacefully and
Firmly established in power and authority instead OF being
threatened with annhilson by combination of semi
savage foes That party would be left to lay the
foundations Of civil and religious liberty and to develop tho
varied of that rich and beautiful coun
ry-resources constituting mines Of agricultural mineral
aud commercial wealth. which will forever lie buried un-
less brought to light by American enterprise
Although, Mr. Speaker, find the minutes of my hour
rapidly gliding away, and although have not yet touched
the principal subject discuss cannot permit the
pass without auson to another matter
which though Of little practical consequence in ITSELF de-
importance from its connexon with the great
issues the day On Monday last member from Ten
Mr.. ETHERIDGEl introduced the following resou-
ton:
Resolved That the House of Representatives regard all
suggestions and propositions Of kind BY whomsoeyer
the moral sentiment of the enlightened portion of man
kind and that action the part Of Congress conny
Justly subject the citizens Of the United
States the reproach and execraton of all civilized and
Christian people throughout the world.
Upon objection made the rules suspended and the
resolution passed under the OF the previous ues
ton Debate and explanation, thus cut Oft and
constituents well as the public were left to guess
of respective votes After the passage
of this resolution, the gentleman from South Carolina Mr.
who had in vain attempted to amend the former res
oluton introduced another proposton In the oHowin8
words:
Resolved That it isinexpeden unwise, and contrary
settled policy Of the United States to repeal the laws
prohibiting the African slave trade"
This passed by decisive majority only eight menu
bes voted in the negative debate and explanation having
again cut off by the application of the parliamentary
thumb-screw.
voted against both resolutions and now take this first
opportunity of stating the of those votes Both
resolutions were my opinion Objectionable in sub
stance the mode Of forcing vote on hem under the
prominent features in the proposition OF the member
from Tennessee its sinister expressions and the In
revival Of the African slave trade but against the wicked
ness of those who would have the hardhood to make
suggestions or propositions IN relation thereto ano as
suggestions, it nvokes the reproach and execraion
Of 1.-THE civilized and Christian people throughout the
world upon the government and people OF the United
States should Congress by any action, connve at
listen to such suggestions 1t denounces thoughts prop
ostons and opinions the assumption that they are
shocking to the moral sentiment of mankind. Now,
sir find in the written chart of the duties and pow
of this House authority to take charge of the pub
lie private morals Of the good people Of the country 1t
vain and pharsaca arrogance of superior virtue in us
to such censorship. intend no personal disre
spec when say that this House. constituted as 1t s
one Of the last tribunals which questions of public
morals or of private honor should be REFERRED and yet
sir the resolution of the gentleman from Tennessee If 1t
sprang from any higher motive than that OF entrappng
political opponents attempt to denounce as I'M
and unchristian certain opinions known to be en-
tertained by of and TO invoke
in advance Of any proposed action horrd imprecaons
on the country should Congress in any way connivo
at such sentiments by any political action ! surely
do The gentleman injustice when say that his
opinion Of this House against the African slave trade He
will hardly venture say that that alone was his Opec
1t went obviously further. The studied phraseology IN
parliamentary license indicates the purpose Of obtaining
the influence of this House to put down and stie the
opinions and propositions subjects OF inquiry
on the ground that they infamous and detesabe 1t
precedent full of mischief and danger which regret
especially to introduced by southern man. Under IT.
what prevent the introduction of resolution de-
caring the holding of slaves 10 be immoral nhuman and
contrary the spirit of Christianity There are probably
this floor ready to present such proposition
and from the complexion of this House, am not certain
would pass If propelled by the brute force OF the
previous question repeat the precedent is dangerous,
and, in my opinion, pregnant OF evil than the sug-
gestionsn 80 much condemned by the regret
that it should have received the sanction of single
| democrat ON this floor. Were sitting board OF
upon the morality of practices affecting human
happiness general would desire to include in CEN
Bures the cody trade practsed by refined and
virtuous ally England; for by that trade white men,
may 80 designate the Chinese carried into the worst
kind Of slavery would wish also to embraced in our dep
recatons the ashockng and unchrssn" practice of i'm
murng in the unhealthy and fed prson-rooms or fac
tory for eleven hours of the day white children OF both
of tender age thereby destroying the health and
elasticity their bodies and bunting and supeyng their
intelects by the constant employment OF watching the
interminabe whiring of the spinning-jenny. protest.
Mr. Speaker against this House establishing any code OF
for the country but If we are to have one let be
Mr.. ETHERIDGE. win the gentleman yield to me for
| a momeutP
/ Mr. QUITMAN. My time is so short that would rather
4 not be diverted from my argument
1 Mr.. ETHERIDGE My object in rising was TO ask the
House extend the time Of the gentleman and give him
an opportunity Of discussing these questions fully
i Mr.. QUITMAN. / will now go on; and should my hour
4 eIpire before shall have concluded what have to say,
would be happy accept the proed courtesy do not
often occupy the time Of the House and would not 40 80
j now had not been incidentally drawn into this debate
i Before leave these questions OF ethics cannot pass
without notice singular bill which quietly ana silently
gded through this House the other day apparently unoo
served by vgilan guardians Of the constitution who
sit near me- aude to the bill presented by the chairman