The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-15
Thursday, December 8, 1859.
SENATE.

Mr.. Sidel gave notice of his intention to in
troduce a bill to make an appropriation to IA
ciltate negotiations for the acquisition of Cuba.
Mr.. Johnson, of Tennessee, gave. a similar
notice with reference 10 q Homestead bill.
Several other notices were also given.
Mr.. Mason's resolution now came up, and
Mr. Trumbull resumed his remarks, showing
the importance of .the inquiry relative to the
sacking of the arsenal at Liberty, Missouri. The
seizure of an arsenal recently is regarded as a
matter of great importance, yet the President,
in his message never alluded te he seizure of
the arsenalin Missouri A resolUz on was adopt
ed in March, 1855, calling on thr President for
all the information in departments relative to
the affairs of Kansas, yet the report of Captain
Leonard had never been sent to the Senate.
Mr. Trumbull then proceeded to reply to an
inquiry made by Mr.. Yulee, to lay down the
principles of the Republican party, reading
their platform and defending the doctrines
therein contained.
Mr.. Salisbury inquired if the Constitution
gave power to establish Slavery in the Terri
tories
Mr. Trumbull replied that it was Const-
tuition of Freedem-not of Slavery. The word
slave don't occur in it.
Mr.. Yulee said it appeared, then, that the
whole object of the Republican party was to
exclude Slavery from the Territories. He de-
sired TO know whether the exclusion did not
apply to the District of Columbia and all the
forts and arsenals which were under the eX-
elusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government?
How was it in the new States of the Union :?
For the logical sequence of this argument
would be, that slaves are now illegally held in
Louisiana, Missouri and every other new State.
He wanted light on these matters, for it was Sc
rious question. He quoted from the speeches of
Mr.. Seward, to show the dangerous sentiments
he avowed, to distract the country, and accom-
plish the overthrow Of the South.
Mr.. Trumbull replied, that they call them
selves Republicans because they advocate the
principles of Jefferson. If his party had made
any departure from these principles, he would
condemn such departure. The fathers of the
old Republican party were their models, from
whom their principles were taken. The very
words in the platform to which the Senator
from Florida objected were written by the hand
of Jefferson.
Mr.. Yulee. To create and mot destroy free
government
Mr.. Trumbull. Yes, and we perpetuate free
government by maintaining the principles we
advocate. The other party call themselves
Democrats, when their legislation is all shaped
for the interests Of the sayehGldipg aristocracy,
comprising only one out of sixty OF the in
habitants of the United States.
Mr.. Clay asked if the Senator recognised the
right to reclaim fugitive slaves in the Terrific
ries2
Mr.. Trumbull. do, under the act of Con-
gress not under the fugitive slave act, unless
it is made applicable to the Territories.
Mr.. Clay inquired how he could reconcile the
discrepancy between the obligation to give all
men freedom, and the counteryailing right to
reclaim fugitive slaves?
Mr. Trumbull replied, that the first was merely
the enunciaton of the Declaration of Independ-
enee but our fathers did not undertake to car
ry out their principles perfectly. Every Gov
eminent was an encroachment, more or less,
on the natural rights of man.
Mr., Clay inquired whether the Senator
thought there we're any circumstances under
which crime could be justified, excused, or toll
erated-for the fathers of the Republic them
selves were shareholders?
Mr.. Trumbull. do not call it crime in the
citizens of the South to hold slaves.
Mr.. Clay. Is not pOlygamy crime? You
have classed Slavery and polygamy together,
in your platform
Mr.. Trumbull. 1t is crime under some cir
cumstances. take it that it is no crime In
Turkey.
Mr., Clay, (interrnpting.) thank you for that
concession, in this Christian country.
Mr.. Trumbull We regard it as orime, but
other nations do not so regard it. do not re-
gard the holding of slaves as a crime, as they
are often held in the Southern States. think
it is a wrong, but it is better to endure that
wrong than to undertake to right it by greater
crime and greater evil,
Mr.. Clay. Then understand him to main
tain that right and wrong are merely conven-
tional, and depend on the laws OF society, and
the tone and moral sentiment of society,"
Mr. Trumbull Not entirely, although many
things are criminal or innocent according to
circumstances When we speak of crime, we
mean some violation of the laws of the land.