The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-04-08
A STEP BACKWARDS.


The great State of Ohio, through its present
Legislature, which we trust does not fairly rep
resent public sentiment in that State upon the
Slavery question, has taken step backward in
repeating all her laws to punish kidnapping
within her borders. The Columbus Journal,
not an ultra Anti-Savery paper, gives the SUBJ
Joined account of the matter:
"The House had quite "a protracted meet.
ing yesterday. 1t was the antipodes, however,
of our religious protracted meetings, which are
now being held all over the land, and from
which so much good is resulting. The House
held its session from y in the afternoon until
9 o'clock at night. The reason of this unusual
length of time being consumed, and the Repre-
sentatives going without their suppers, is that,
early in the afternoon, the Senate bill to repeal
the law to prevent slaveholding and kidnapping
in Ohio came up in due course. A few speeches
were made against it, when, as usual, Mr.. An
drews, of Auglaize, moved the previous ques-
ton, which was sustained, and the yeas and
nays were called upon its final passage, when,
to the surprise of the faithful, it failed there
not being votes enough. A motion to recon
slider was made, and the majority sent out their
runners to bring in the absentees. The minor.
ity, having obtained the victory in the outset,
were determined if possible to hold their want
age ground. This so exasperated the majority
that they determined not only to put the bill
through, but also to violate personal pledges
made to Mr.. Monroe, and rush through the bill
tor the repeal of the habeas corpus act, another
Senate bill. Accordingly, after they had re-
pealed the law preventing kidnapping and
slaveholding in Ohio, Mr.. Andrews, of Auylaize,
moved to take from the table the bill to repeal
the habeas corpus act. The roll was called,
and the bill was taken from the table. Mr..
Andrews, of Auglaizs then moved the ptevious
question upon its passage. At this point Mr..
Monroe, of Lorain, rose to question OF privi-
lege. He asked if Mr.. Andrews intended by
his motion to force this bill through without
debate? Mr.. Andrews said that was his iatgn.
ton. Mr.. Monroe then recapitulated the ia It's
in relation to the bill-how, when the min or ty
had it in their power to send the bill to &c "a.
mittee of the Whole, they consented thpt it
should be referred to the Committee on fhe
Judiciary, with the distinct understanding Il at
he and others should have chance to dice, IS
it when it should be reported back. Der 10.
Gratis in all parts of the House had made Ills
promise, and dozen of men, whom he eotld
point out and name, came to him personal y,
and pledged their personal honor that ae
coouAu uoFO y CnouCC W speak Ou IL AuQ II Nv
it was to be forced through without giving b m
an opportunity to express his views upon it.
This bill repealed law of the last ON
which he had great interest in. 1t was, in fsc ct,
his bill. He asked that the pledges male to
him should be redeemed.
" The appeal of Mr.. Monroe had effect On
only two members of the majority Mr. Eison
of Van Vert, and Mr.. Christy of Butler. 70
their honor be it spoken, they both arose aud
said they had told Mr.. Monroe that he shorld
be heard on the subject, and they would rot
vote tor the previous question. The roll was
called, and the entire majority, with the two
exceptions named, voted for the previous aues.
ton. But, BY some rule which we did not
understand, Mr.. Harrison, of Madison, (Repub-
ican,) got the floor, and read long amendment
to the bill, and made speech which attsacted
much attention. He was opposed to th, bill
of last year. He thought the effect of X was
TO bring into conflict the Federal and State
and therefore be offered his amendment. He
concluded BY hoping that the question uyon it
would be postponed, and not taken to-nigkt. 1t
was only simple justice that the member from
Lerain should be heard. 1t was a matter he
had we'll considered. and on which he wa pre-
pared to speak. The appeal had no fleet.
Men who had violated their private pl Mses
we're not likely to be influenced by an 9 ofeal
to right and Justice. Accordingly, und. the
leadership of Mr.. Andrews, of Auglaiz, and
the previous question, the bill was passed and
the House adjourned at nine o'clock. Thus
ended the session, q session in which two more
measures were passed, calculated to boz the
neck of Ohio more lowly in the dust befo the
Slave Power of the South. 1t is no v ,ndei
the South thinks Us mean and time servify."