Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-24
TIr1RTY-sIxTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. %.
Mr.. Pugh introduced bill relative to the
Louisville and Portland Canal.
Mr.. Davis introduced bill to provide for a
temporary government and to create the office
of Surveyor General for the territory OF Near
aqua. Also bill directing the manner in
which the testimony of certain Judicial officers
may be taken for the use of the United States
Court.
After an executive session, the Senate ad-
journed till Tuesday.
HOUSE.
Mr. Farnsworth of Illinois being entitled to
the floor said that he was willing to give way
for motion to proceed TO vote.
Mr. R4tiin and other Democratic members
objected, insisting on Mr.. Farnsworth's either
proceeding with his remarks, or abandon the
floor altogether.
Mr. Farnsworth said he made the PROPOSE
ton in good faith He did not desire to place
any impeachment in the way of organization.
He and his Republican friends had been here
nearly three weeks DESTROYS and anxious to
vote for Speaker. They had no disposition
to discuss the slavery question now, but would
wait till organization was effected He
spoke for himself, and did not want the Re-
publican party held responsible for his utter
ances. He said they had been met here with
speeches and resolutions in regard to the Help
These things were thrust into their faces with
threatened dissolution of the Union on their
account, and it was even threatened here that
ii Republican Speaker is elected the Union
shall be severed inStanter He proceeded to
read from the Richmond Enquirer, edited by
Messrs. Richie, Pryor, and Dunnerant lead
err Of June, 1857, and May and June, 1856, to
show that that journal had uttered irrepressi-
bic conflict doctrines, pronouncing free society
failure, and had said that wal between the
two systems will wage everywhere until the
one conquers and the other is exterminated.
Mr.. Seward, he said, had never uttered ire
pressibie doctrines half SO strong as that. Sen
ator Hammond, he added, had prescribed SINH
lar sentiments in regard to such conflict. He
denied the authority CT any member to hold
him responsible for endorsing Helpers book.
1t was none of their business; he read such
books as he pleased. There was nothing in
his part of the county which would not stand
the test of free discussion and criticism. He
proceeded to arraign the Democratic party for
endorsing the book called "Black Diamond"
written by Mr.. Pollard of Virginia and caus-
ed to be read various testimonials in its favor
adding that the writer advocates going into
Africa and seizing and deluding the natives to
gain their consent TO be shipped to this coun-
try by the middle passage, as apprentices, and
after getting them here to induce them to live
in perpetual bondage. The writer admits it
would be an intraction and a violation OF the
laws of the United States, but .justifies it by
the necessities OF the case, and saying that tie
Union could be preserved only by this so called
conservative policy Is this the sentiment OF
the Democratic party
Mr.. Cobb deprecate the re-opening of
tho slave trade. Now you speak out and say
whether you endorse Helpers book.
Mr. EarnSwnrth wnuld like to asL Mr. Miloc
whether he endorsed those sentiments.
Mr.. Miles replied, that he most heartily, ut
terly, and from the bottom of his heat, depre.
Gated any evasion of the law. (Applause.)
He recognized the higher law of sentiment and
honor which compelled him to obey the Con-
stitution.
Mr.. Farnsworth wanted to know whether he
was In favor of re-opening the slave-trade by a
repeal of the laws
Mr.. Miles said he was not prepared to say
whether he was in favor of re-opening the
slave trade at some future time but as the
laws of the land forbid engaging in the traffic,
he believed it useless to discuss the question SO
long as the South remains in the confederacy
No man there believed that, in the present
Union, the slave trade can be re-opened legal
ly. He should like to ask MIR. EarnswOrth
whether he was in favor of the fugitive slave
law
Mr.. Farnsworth replied he would answer
that question bye and bye.
Mr.. Reagan remarked that he had come out
Of the caucus on that issue, and was opposed
to the re-opening Of the slave-trade, in or out
of the Union, and in favor of law, order, and
justice. Now, do you endorse the doctrines of
Helpers book Answer like man. APP
plause.)
Mr.. Stanton felt it his duty to say for him
self and those he represented, that so far as
Helpers book advises servle instruction, he
utterly abhorred and deteSted it. There were
not as many men out as in the penitentiary of
Ohio, who would tolerate it for a moment
Mr.. Kellogg expressed his qualification at the
turn the discussion had taken. He thought it
could now be said that his colleague could
proceed with his remarks. He knew his col
league would be frank and plain.
Mr.. Bonham said the act of 1920 which
characteristics the slave trade as piracy was Il
blot on the statute book, and ought TO be ex-
plunged. But he knew of no party in the south
in favor of having the law OF 1919 repealed
With regard to the latter, he was not prepared
to say it is unconstitutional. There was no
considerable part OF the south or Democratic
party, who agitated the question Of re-opening
the slave trade. 1t can never be done in the
contederacy. AS to whether he was in favor
of re-opening the trade at a future time he
was not prepared to say.
Mr.. Farnsworth the gentleman en-
dorSe the sentiment in the book, "Black Da-
monds, for the revival OF the slave trade by
lava
Mr. Bonham. 1t it impracticable. do not
stand in the attitude of one who endorses the
violation of any existing law.
Mr.. Farnsworth asked Mr.. McRae whether
he endorsed the sentiment.
Mr.. McRae, as an individual was in favor
of re-opening the trade. But this was not the
position Of the democratic party in Mississippi
or in any other southern state. He was how
ever for the faithful execution of the laws as
they stand against re-opening the traffic
Mr.. Farnsworth did not think such decis-
ion could be fixed on national democrats, any
more than it could be charged that the Repub-
licans endorsed John Browns acts.
Mr.. McRae believed he was the only mem.
Der of the democratic party in Mississippi
who entertained that opinion
Mr.. Farnsworth asked Mr.. Crawford if he
endorsed the re-openng of the slave trade as
recommended in "Black Diamonds"
Mr.. Crawford replied that he had never read
that book.
Mr.. Farnsworth asked whether he was in
favor of re-opening the slave trade.
Mr.. Crawford replied that nnder particular
state of circumstances he would but, at pres
ent, he opposed it, as did the Democratic par
ty of Georgia.
Mr.. Farnsworth said it had been asked
whether he endorsed Helpers book. He had
never seen copy of it until he came to this
house. So far as any passages in that book
could be fairly construed into recommend.
ing Instruction, and the emancipation of
slaves by violence, he did not endorse it. He
was, however, in favor of intoxicating such doc.
trines ne lead To naacefll emancipatiOn. He