Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-08
FROM WASHINGTON.

The leaders Of the Democratic party would
soon disappear from sight, if they did not agi-
tate the slavery question. After the famous
settlement of 1850, they took the very first
opportunity to reopen the agitation; and, in
order to make the disturbance as great as pos
sible, they repealed the Missouri Compromise,
and got up border ruffian crusade against the
people of Kansas. They never intermit this
work of agitation. Immediately on the assem-
bling of the present Congress, they introduced
it in both houses Mr.. Mason of Virginia lead
ing the way in the Senate, and Mr.. Clark of
Missouri in the House. Certainly, these men
do their part to keep alive the ''irrepressible
conflict" The following account of proceed
ings on the second day of the session was sent
to the New York Times =
"WAsHINGroN, Dec, 6.-The congressional
proceedings to-day fully sustain my prediction
as to the result of the policy adopted by the
democratic party in advance of the organiza-
ton of the House. Both bodies are now in
the whirl of slavery excitement. The debate
in the Senate was stormy, but comparatively
courteous. There is no telling what it would
have been if Senator Trumbull, of Illinois. had
not taken the wind out of Mr.. Mason's sails
by making the first speech in favor of the res.
olution. Mr.. II. was particularly severe on
all sympathisers with John Brown. whose
crime he depicted in strong terms. This the
democrats were not prepared for, and much
less denial on the part of northern senators
with any sympathy for Brown. Senator Will
son, of Massachusetts, denied any sympathy
whatever with the resolutions passed at the
meeting in his town, endorsing Browns course
and yet, after this emphatic denial of sympa-
thy, and reputation Of John Brown the dem
ocratic senators kept up running fire all dav
on northern abolition fanatics, and senator
Iverson paid his respects to the eight members
of the Massachusetts Legislature, who voted
to adjourn on the day when John Brown ex-
plated his crimes on the gallows.
In the House, the debate proceeded less
smoothly. 1t was soon evident that an explo
sion was imminent and all were on the qui ciUe.
Messrs. Crawford (Ga.) and Thaddeus Stevens
were sparring, but in language entirely re-
spectful and courteous, when the former leis-
urely approached the latter, speaking in low
conversational tone, not understood by those
a little distance off. The simultaneous con
cluslon OF the House was, that collision was
ABOUT TO take place, and the respective sides
closed in. Human, Pryor, and many other
democrats rushed to Crawford, when McPher-
son, VI lenhsy wanna, placing his hand on what
was supposed to be a pistol. Approached will
other Republicans to Stevens. Fearful nm.
prehension was seen in every countenonr. and
1ut single blow would have been followed hu
terrible bloodshed and slaughter A motion
to adjourn being submitted, the ayes and ma &c
were ordered, and the gentlemen returned To
their seats without an unkind word hayin,
passed between the supposed combatants.'
During the debate in the House, Millson Of
Virginia spoke in the style peculiar to his side
of the slavery question; and the following ex-
tracts will show how the debate proceeded =
Mison-Those who entertain such senti
ments as are advanced by Helper were not only
unit TO be Speaker, but were unfit to live.