Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-04-14

NSRAA gE az 81 ssaj q alelly
DrAI m
s.. re riss IL ne purpose 81 Die
sent d Senate % make an explanation Asdue
TO 4ke cAaracfer ~ North Carolina IF =
The PRssIDssr pro teaapors. u can only be done
by the unanimous consent Of the Senate.
Mr.. WlLsoN. / rise for the purpose Of making AN
4 explanation in regard 10 the same subject TO wtch
the Senator REFERS be called my attention 70 It
: Friday. Ut s8 eSs$ go
Mr. Blees 1t is that and another matter on which"
] desire to- be heard.
Mr.. WILSON. During the debate the other day,
the Senator will permit me-
Mr.. BIGGs. Certainly.
The PREsIDfNT OFFICER. The Chair hears no OBJ
lection to the explanation. S25st3
Mr. WILSON During the debate the other day.
referred, in the Of speech made by the Sen
ator from New Hampshire, [Mr. HALE,] to some re-
marks made in the House OF Representatives in re-
gard to the power of the States to abolish slavery
l stated that heard the power denied by member
from the State of North-Carolina: l happe to
be present when the remark was made by Mr..
BRANCH, then and now member Of the House OF
Representatives from that State that he thought the
State Legislatures had not the constitutional power
to abolish slavery. 1t was subject vi remark, at
the time, by others and myself; but find on look,
ing to the matter, my attention having been called
to it afterwards by the Senator ftom North. Carolina,
that Mr.. KUNKEL, of Pennsylvania, and think some
other MEMBERS made some inquiries in regard to
the meaning of the expression. Mr.. BRANCH ex-
planned it in this way that he did not think the
Legislature have the constitutional power to abolish
slavery but that the people, when the frame their
constitutions, could make their constitutions so as
to abolish slavery The explanation then r,ade was
that the States had the constitutional power to aoo
ish slavery and that the member did not wish to be
understood saying that it was any violation OF the
Constitution of the United States as some OF US I'M
derstood at the time the remark was made had
my attention called to the matter by the Senator
from North.Carona, but, owing to the pressure OF
business, l was not able to examine it until Friday
Of last week. This is the earliest opportunity have
had and wish to put the matter right {; for have
no desire wish. certainly, to misrepresent any
member of either House. When l listened to the
remark, understood it as stated it the other day;
other members did so understand it but on the ex
PLANTATION of Mr.. BRANCH, it was made very plain
and very clear.
Mr. BIGGs. I am very much gratifed that the
Senator from Massachusetts has made this explana-
ton but to make it full i is proper that should
state in addition to what he has already stated,
that Mr.. BRANCH expressly recognized the power OF
Legislature to abolish slavery. provided that pow
er expressly given by the constitution. rose
fer that purpose, but more especially for another
purpose to set the character of North Carolina right
notify the Senator from Massachusetts, that this is
in reference to speech delivered by him in this
body on the evening of the Goth Of March.
1t will be recollected that during the Kansas de-
bate had several evening sessions, at one OF which.
that of the Goth March, not present in conse-
quence of ndisposition The Senator from Massa-
chusetts [Mr. WILSON on that occasion delivered
speech which, in consequence of the great press of
business upon the Globe not published until
Friday last, and my attention to it was not called
until Saturday. Among other points made by the
Senator he seeks to give faithful account of south
ern society-saveholders and non Shareholders; and
as presume he could not testify from personal OBJ.
servation and knowledge and as l suppose he pre-.
ferred it. he introduces reliable testimony extracts
from book entitled g The Impending Crisis of the
South, " said TO be written by Mr.. Helper, Of
North Carolina"
Being informed as to this author, am unwilling
that such testimony shall go upon the permanent
legislative history of the country as coming from
Nor,h-Carolina, without placing in the same from
the character OF the witness. 1t is due to North
Carolina it is due the Senator from Massachusetts,
it is due to the Senate and the country, particularly
the people of the slavehoding States to expose
to public contempt the authority of work whose
position whatever it is, probably greatly depends
upon his representing himself as of North Carroll
na." feel becoming pride that the word OF
MEDITERRANEAN is so generally considered resabe
mark emphatically, as propose to do on this occa
sion, any that halls from that State whit ISLANDERS
her society and writes in in book to deceive and
deude others. The Senator from Massachusetts, is
a striking example of the dupes thus made by this
catch penny book and the dclusion is SO strong
ness it is placed in permanent form as evidence
from Norh.Carolina to the state of southern So
ciety.
want to disabuse the mind of the Senator from
Massachusetts,, and those who read this book, as to
the reliability of the authority which he relies.
Who then, is this Mr.. Helper, Of North Carolina,
relied upon in the Senate of the United States as
evidence from the South of the state OF southern
society? 1 speak from authority that cannot be
doubted.
Hinton Rowan Heller tho author of the ssImpend.
ing Crisis" native Of Dave county, North Carroll.
ma. His first appearance in active life was as clerk
| of Michael own, a merchant in Salisbury, North
| Carolina. Mr.. Brown is an elder of the Presbyte.
rian church; and after Heller removed to Salisbury
he also joined the Presbyterian church. and, SO lar
as publicly known, conducted himself with pro-
priety After living with Mr.. Brown several years
as clerk, it was understood at Salisbury that he
| formed copartnershp with Mr.. Cotfman in the book
business and left for the North buy in stock of
| books. He did not return expected, but shortly
thereafter went to California, and there or shortly
after his return wrote book called Land of Gold.
He returned to Salisbury about 1854, where he
remained some time without any apparent business.
In the summer Of 1856, is reported and believed,
! he procured surety for and obtained money He,
however, about that time, left for the North, where
he resides, since having returned to North
Carolina. After leaving North Carolina. he chang
ed his name from Heller to Helper; and it dis
closed last wear that while clerk for Mr. Brown he
purloined from him three hundred dollars and after
an exposure by Mr.. Brown Helper, making merit
Of necessity himself publicly confesses, in n hand
bill which have before me, this thievng his part
and excuses it upon the ground that he was enticed
to the act by ambiguous expression of friend
of his that it was allowable for clerks so to do; and
the further excuse that it an indiscretion Of
youth, although at the time, he in full standing
in the Presbyterian church, and he says himself
was seventeen years of age 1t is due to the Pres
byterian church to say that this man is not now a
member OF that church.
Now sir when and why he altered his name