Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-07
CONGRESS.
Senate, Tuesday. December 6.

Mr.. Pearce, of Maryland. moved that the
Secretary of the Senate be directed to fur
nish the Senators with the statutes AT large
of the United States, which motion was
adopted.
Mr. Mason, Of Virginia. introduced the
resolutions relative to the invasion Of Har-
per's Ferry, and the seizure Of the Armory
Mr.. Trumbull. Of Illinois, hoped that the
Investigation would. be complete and tho
rough. lie did not believe that any large
number Of the twenty millions of the North
ern people approved Of the attempt made at
liarper's Ferry. Ot the leader of this expe-
dition, he had nothing TO say-he had expia-
ted his deeds upon the gallows, and had gone
with his crimes or his virtues into the pre-
sence OF u just Judge. Mr.. Trumbull pro
ceeded TO quote from the report OF the Kansas
Investigating Committee, the testimony Of
Capt. Leonard that in December. 1888. the
United States Arsenal at Liberty, Missouri,
was entered by al armed force, and cannon,
rifles, and other munitions OF war taken
therefrum. and after being USED III Kansas.
WEIR returned to the Arsenal. He thought
that the cases were similar, and required
similar action. He was ready Tor this III
vestigation now, when the shriekS Of Nir-
GINA were heard. rs he was when the ~hrirkS
Of Kansas were made the subject ut sport III
this chamber. He offered III amendment to
Committee to enquire into the facts relative
to the seizure at Liberty, Missouri.
Mr.. Mason would cheertully unite with
the Senator "f Illinois in any legislation
which might he necessary in the matter OF
the Liberty Arsenal The object Of his re-
solution had, however, nothing in common
with that proposal His constituents had
been grossly wronged, and wished t" know
what power existed in the Federal Govern
ment TO prevent a repetition OF such out
RACES. If no power existed. they must pro-
vide measures for their own protection tn"
Senator had spoken of shrieks-ot >hrieks
from Kansas-of shreks from Virginia.
When had the Senator heard shrieks from
Virginia? Sir. continued Mr. Mason. Il do
not know what sort Of people the Senator
from Illinois representS-what people any
one represents who speaks of the shrieks OF
anv State Of this Union
Mr.. Trumbnll repudated any intention Of
applying any term Of disrespect To u State Of
the Union. He had simply used the term
sshriek" in reference to Virginia, and it
had often been used on the other side Of the
chamber, in reference to Kansas.
Mr. Mason thought that that term had
been introduced bv those who had acted with
the Senator from Illinois, who then spoke Of
"shreks for freedom"
Mr.. Trumhull thought that the Democrats
had applied that term to the Republican par
". calling them kansas Shriekers. lie
was glad that at last the shreks "i Kansas
were heard by the Senator Of Virginia
now that similar scenes had come home to
his people.
Mr.. Truinbul asserted that secret socie-
ties had been organized in Virginia, I" force
slavery ~ Kansas.
Mr. Mason promptly denied the charge.
Mr. Hale was sorry this question had been
introduced this early. lie had hoped that
the Senate would have adjourned on We'd
nesday. and that the era OF good feeling
would be allowed to last until Christmas.
He proceeded at length 10 consider the gene
raj affairs of the country. lie alluded 10 the
advertisement in II Richmond paper. offering
81, 900 for the head of Mr.. GiddingS, and
said that considered III reference 10 recent
proposals. to bring citizens Of the North INT"
the States If the South by the process OF the
United States, 1t was alarming. lie denied
the right Of the l. ). Courts 70 ISSUE such
process, and said he would counsel resistance
to it. He denounced the Supreme Count AZ
facilc instrument in the hands Of the slave
power
Mr.. Hunter, of Va, rose to express ms as-
constituent AT the manner IN which the re>o-
luton of his colleague had been received.
Virginia was excited, not hy the attempt t
Brown, but by the sympathy Of some, and
the apathy Of great portion Of the remain
der lie had hoped that the exhibition Of
public sympathy for crime, would he tr"wned
4 A a T.. han