Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-01-28
Mr.. Seward, of Georgia, said he looked pno

Mr.. Seward, of Georgia, said he looked upon
all laws for the suppression Of the slave trade
as mischicvouS and unconstitutional lie would
not take ground in favor OF the revival Of tina,
trade. but the laws on the subject Continued
provisions which were, in his judgment, clearly
unconstitutional.
Mr.. Burnett protested against this revival #
the slavery agitation. The question e the
revival of the slave trade WAS not invoked in
the Appropriation under consideration, and he
/ appealed to gentlemen not TO engage in c~Xci,in.
debate upon a subject not before them.
Mr.. Singleton said il was not his desire .
prccipita,c 4 disc %ission. but the only hope Of
the South was in Il strict adherence 10 Law
She was the weaker party, the A5'liil0nists
were constantly gaining upon her, and She
must i~n,erposc the law between herself and
her assai!ants. The appropriation asked .r
was in violation Of law, and lie had opposed i:
on this ground.
Mr.. Cochraue Of y. Y, said tie House Was
discussing propositions not legiti;na:e!y beiorc
il. If it was proposed 10 repeal the law sip.
pressing the slave trade he WAS ready to meet
the issue when il was presented.
Mr.. GrocSbeck said he hoped if that i>sGc
wa, to be made, it would be made at once. lie
WAS rcsdy 10 meet it. In his opinion i, was
more likely tina; laws would be passed to more
faithfully execute those in force than 10 repea!
them.
Mr.. Hughes Of Ind. said that the De:norra
tic party WAS based upon the Constitution. an!
therefore he belonged 10 it; but whenever i
should propose 10 repeal the laws for the sup
preston of the slave trade. 1t wonId cease 10
exist.
Mr.. Barhsdalc, Of Miss. regretted this dy.
bate, because it was not the proper time to g.
cu>S the subject. lie was really TO take his p.
sitiOn when the issue came up. lie believed
the Prcsidcn, had violated the law in making
the contract. but he believed he was actuatei
bv pure and honest motives.
Mr.. Clay, of Ky, rose to 4 personal cxpana-
ton. He had said yesterday that he was oppoS-
ed TO all the laws for the suppression Of the
slave trade, because they were too severe. lie
had also opposed the s;h article of the treaty
Of Washington, because out of that had grown
the entangling alliance with Great Britain which
had led To the preparation Of those outra :e> III
the Gulf Of Mcxicoby her cruisers. He also
objected TO the expense we were subjected tom
keeping 4 squadron on the coast OF Africa; but
Notwithstanding these views, no man WAS more
opposed to a revival OF the African slave tsaie
than he was, and he believed the people OF lis
dis,ric; were with him in that sentiment.
Mr.. Miles, OF South Carolina, SAID he was
that bugbcar. n sectional man. He represented
in part the South, which, being the weaker
party. had to unite in order 10 protect herself,
and was. therefore, sectional. lie was not =
Democrat ir the party sense of the word. lie
wen, with the Democracy 50 far as they 81.
here! To the Constitution and the laws, bat the
:nomcn. they asked him to >wcrvc one incf1
from principles. he would turn his back upon
them forever. He was not prepared now 10
advocate the revival of the slave trade, but he
did wish TO wipe ont all laws hat s;isinatihc'!
tina: trade as piracy. for il it was piracy now. II
was 50 when first practiscd, and he would 40,
consent TO a.iiX such Il stain upon his !orcia-
ther>. and upon the people Of his section whose
institutions were based upon that trade. lie
believed that the laws on the suhjec "crc ui-
constitutional. and while he would not say that
il was polite how TO reopen the trade, IT might
he necessary if England and France carried 1t
on c~overtlv. lie denounced the Coo.ic system
as infinitely less mild and humane than that Of
African slavery As it existed in this country.
Mr. Gooch, of Mass, expressed his satis!ac-
ton that so much light had been she'd on the
subject. and made some remarks in opposition
to tho slave system.
Mr.. Cases motion to strike out the whole
section was carried by yeas l0i, nays -. when
the committee rose and the House adjourned