Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-02-09
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE.

OF South Carolina and Mr.. SEWARD, OF Geor-
gia, in the House Of Representatives at Wash
ington, January &c, 1884, the Consular and
Dipromatic Bill being ulider consideration.
Mn. KE1rT. Mr.. Chairman, do not think,
with the gentleman from Virginia Mr. Millsvn,I
that any one on this side Of the House is in
tluenced by any apprehension that this appro-
priaton reflects upon the institution of slavery,
by uniting slavery and the slave trade. We do
mt object TO {s45, 900 ont Of the $4,000 ap-
proprated in this clause Of the bill, bee use
that amount is pledged as bounty by existing
law; but we object to the remaining S30,NW
because there is no color of law for it. Wepro-
test against this government, fnll-mouned upon
the anti-slavery sentiment, riding against and
riding over and riding down the restrictions Of
law. What authority had the President for re-
cciving the negroes captured on hoard the Echo,
and sending them to Africa? lie has only the
authority which is giYen by the second section
of the act OF 1910, in relation to the slave trade.
1t enacts:
"That the President Of the United States he,
and he is hereby, authorized to make such reg
uations and arrangements as he may deem eX-
pedient for the sde-keepiDg, snppnrt- + and
refoSal hey yor2. TIC hnits-of ;tht United tates,
of all such negrbes nulattos or persons of color,
as may be so delivered and brought within their
jurisdiction; and to appoint proper person or
persons, residing urol the coast Of Africa, as
agent or agents, for receiving the negroes, mu-
attos or persons Of color, delivered from on
board vessels seized in the prosecution Of the
slave trade, by commanders OF the United States
armed vessels"
Now, sir, under this section the President is
empowered to make provision for the safe
keeping and support" Of the captured negroes
arifhin The limits of the United StuteS, and for
their " removal'' beyond such limits. Beyond
the limits of the United States, he is only EN-
powered to appoint an agent or agents to {; re-
ceive" the negroes, &C.; and when such appoint
ment and the delivery of the negroes are made,
his power. is exhausted. There is no power
given to convert the government into huge
grocery, to dole out provisions TO captured ne
grocs on the coast Of Africa. The appropriation
we object to- is the $4,000 for supporting and
educating these Africans which have been de-
livered in Liberia.
The lack of power seemed to be appreciated
by the gentleman from Ohio Mr. Nichols yes
tcrday, and he sought to exc it out by an ap-
peal to humanity and civilization. Sir, huma,i-
ty and civilization are in'liS>olubly intertwined,
and their initial point is in slavery, the or
dinance OF God which commands that our bread
shall be eaten in the sweat Of our brow. Physi-
cal civilization must prccedc mental and the
former call only be achieved through labor and
toll. Will these Africans. be subjected to this
indispensable training? No., sir, !hcy will
merely Ee encouraged in Incidence and lethargy.
The President has 10 right to usurp power on
philosophical or sentimental distractions nor
have 81 such fright but if we di,l act oIl such
distractions, sountlcr and more robust humani-
ty would have kept tLeln here, where they
could have qcon properly educated and elevated
through tue only ordeal which edncatea and
clcvatrs reop'c. We protest then, against
that portion Of this appropriation which applies
to the support in Liberia, Of the negroes which
we're captured on board the Echo
The appropriation is, too, to great extent,
for the support of the Colonization Society.
This concern has become not much more than
rickcty stiprndiary Of the government. 1t
sprang up in almost =: single night under the
hot and sckly yapors of a morbid sentimental
ty, and is now dying out, amid the scorn OF
some and the indifference Of Others. Outside
of the prostituted charities of the government,
it is now, believe, mainly supported by old
maids, whose tender boSoms-tender through
age-are flooded with romantic Kindness, and
diapidated politicians who are annually stimu-
lated by doses of lnaudlin humanity. will not
consent that the restrictions Of law shall be
oyerriddcn for tue benefit Of this Humanitarian
concern.
Mr.. Chairman, it has been said on tue other
side Of the House, that tue re-opcnDS OF the
African slave trade enters into this question. J
do not 50 understand it. That question will
meet whenever it comes up. teprecatc its
agitation because it is disturbing and can now
result in no practical action. Neither men nor
parties can hurry it on to successful and pre-
mature Development; but to this development
IT .4ill eaIFe> rir,t aWir t,e" a.u tiiluas liz
OWN inherent forces. When it becomes as eco
nomical question, it will t. uch the policy OF the
world; it will become imbedded in the policy
of the South; and then it will force a solution
through the momentum Of its own power. /
wish to await this hour; this hour when the
question will transcend parties, and tie policy
Of parties, and when it will grapple itself to the
public feeling with hooks Of steel. Now, to
those who agitalc Oh the one side and on the
other, would say, stand aside and let destiny
take its course. Every great economical pro-
blem forces itself upward and forces itself into
solution. This will not be acquitted from that
law. In the meantime would sweep from the
statute-book every interference with slavery; /
would repeal the law declaring tile slave trade
piracy | W. uld withdraw our slave squadron
from the coa>t of Africa; and would leave
slavery upinterrened against, wherever the
mower of tie country Strctchc'. The power ut
llr lira S!ntc keeps tic government ff.nl III
trryenng in cir fAyr, would t!isirh |. lEo'!'
F.; 'asrryeisug against ua.
Str, boSnAM. Befure that irf0tion Is put,
!uoye to amend the scctittit by striking Dit the
words, "anl any subsequent acts nbm III lurce
for the suppression Of the slave trade In res-
urct to the few remarks propose to make, !
! desire to have the car of the Chairman OF the
! Committee of Ways and Means. No other act
! SO fur as am aware, which has been passed
i apropriating money! for the purpose Of carrying
out the act of 1919, except that Of 1920, which
attaches the death penalty Of the slave trade
Now, would be glad to know OF tue Chairman
of the Committee of Ways and Means why thest
words are inserted, and whatthcy contemplate
Tit il intended to put into the hands OF tht
President money for the purpose of hetter exc
cutting the act Of 1870 this is not the place fol
il. lfit is intended to enable the President
through agents or otherwise, more citec'nally
to suppress the trade submit TO the committee
that this is not the proper place. And indeed
sir, it is not proper that any money shonl'i BE- ai
prupriated for such purpose: for the pre>islcn
is already clothed with power: should be ga'
IN know from the chairman Of the committee Il
Ways and Means why this was put in
Mr.. MILES. move to amend the amendment
by striking out the last three lines; .,
Mr. Chairman, have, perhaps, listened wit
more regret to this discussion than any on