The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
THlRTY-fIFTH CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
Tuesday, February 9, 1853.
SENATE.

Mr.. Dixon, of Connecticut, replied to Messrs.
Toombs and others on the subjects of Kansas
and Slavery. In the course of his remarks, he
referred to the Presidents letter to Professor
Silliman, eulogizing the latter gentleman as the
peer of the highest mind in the scientific world,
and as having attained an eminence which, il
the President himself should ever reach, he
might well be satisfied. he referred to the
condition of the Northwestern Territories rela.
tive to Slavery, and contended that the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise was just denial
Of the right of Government to interfere with the
Territories in relation to Slavery. He referred
to the fraudulent character of the Kansas cleo
tions, and TO the interference of Government
troops in those elections, denouncing the latter
as an act of usurpation. He rejoiced that the
question was no longer in relation to q degra-
ded race, but q general one, in which every
man might forget bis prejudices. He alluded
to the Presidents suggestion of probable disso.
luton of the Union, if the Kansas question was
settled on any other basis than Southern one.
The suggestion was monstrous. He had no
fears of such result. Connecticut is Union
loving State, but when she 10 met with such q
threat, she is silent. he concluded by saying,
that if the people Of Kansas we're not allowed
to choose for themselves on the question of
Slavery, the North would show o united front
such as she never exhibited before. t
Mr.. Foot (Vt.) called the attention Of the
Senate to the subject Immediately before Il. He
was opposed to an increase of the army, and
even thought it might be reduced, without det-
riment to the country. As to the Utah trou.
bles, he would withdraw the trooDs already
there, and recall the Government officers, leav-
ing the Mormons to the fate of their own vices
and decisions. II, however, it was the intention,
as had been suggested, to send these troops to
Kansas, he was of the opinion that the proposed
increase would fall far below the number that
would be required; if for the protection of the
frontiers against the Indians, he would say
Protect those poor Indians against their white
aggreesors put q stop to the wrongs and rob-
berries committed upon them withdraw your
Indian agents, and there will be no need to
send troops against them. Mr.. Foot continued
at some length in similar strain, closing with
the remark that, in the absence of a foreign
war, in the absence of internal discord, and in
the presence of pending national bankruptcy,
he thought that it would best subserve the in.
terests of the country to vote against the bill in
all its parts.
Mr.. Pugh (Ohio) said that if gentlemen would
bring in a bill reducing both the army and navy,
he would vote for it.
Mr.. Benjamin La opposed the bill. he had
looked through all the reports and documents
on the subject, without seeing any good reason
for an increase of the army. The expense
would amount to one hundred and forty mil.
lions. He was willing to support the Admin.
istration in any reasonable measure, but could
not vote for such proposition.
MIR. Hamlin (Me.) opposed the bill. He
would not vote dollar to Kansas or Utah, and
would never sanction by his vote an Executive
war. He agreed with the Senator from Yer
mont, and would recall the troops and officials
from Utah, and leave the Mormons TO their
fate.
Mr.. Wilson got the aoor, and the Senate ad.
iourned
Nothing of importance occurred in the