Worcester daily spy., 1859-12-09
TnIRTY.,1xrH coNeREss.
WASHINGTON, Dec. s.


intention to introduce bill making an appro-
pration to facilitate negotiations Ior the acqui-
sitiOn of Cuba.
Mr. johnson of Tennessee gave similar no.
tice of homestead bill. Several other notices
were given, including one for the construction
of railroad in Pennsylvania Avenue, Wash
ington.
Mr. Mason's resolution came up, when Mr.
Trumbull OF Illinois resumed his remarks,
showing the Importance of an inquiry relative
to the Sacking Of the Arsenal at Liberty, Mo.
The seizure OF an Arsenal recently is regarded
as matter of great Importance, yet the Presi-
dent in his message never alluded to the seiz-
ure OF the Arsenal in Missouri A resolution
was adopted in March, 1856, calling on the
President for all the information in his pos
session relative to the affairs of Kansas,
yet the report of Captain Leonard has new
er yet been sent to the Senate. He then
proceeded, in reply to an inquiry 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 there.
Mr. Trumbull replied, it was constitution
of freedom and not slavery. The word slave
did not occur in it,
Mr. Yulee said, it appeared that the whole
object of the Republican party was to exclude
slavery from the territories He desired to
know whether the exclusion did not also apply
to the District of Columbia and all the forts
and arsenals which were under the jurisdiction
of the federal government. How was it in the
new states Of the Union For a logical Sc
quence, his argument would be, that slaves
are now illegally held in Louisiana and Mis-
sourl, and every other new state. We wanted
light on these matters, for it was a serious
nupstjOn Tho Aontriups of tha
party plant the seed of revolution. That is a
platform on which it is impossible for the coun-
try to stand The Trojan horse had been in
troduced, out of which will issue armed
enemies of the existence of the country.
Mr.. Trumbull thought the gentleman entirely
mistaken as to the principles of the Republi-
cans. He would endeavor to enlighten him
in a calm and candid manner. He did not
like to hear them use the worth south in this
matter. Not more than one-twenteth of the
people of the south are Shareholders and they
should not arrogate to themselves that they
are the South. The exclusion of slavery from
the territories operates on all alike. Northern
men will have no more right to carry slaves
there than southern men. The Republican
party had its origin on the question OF slavery
In the territories This territorial question
was not settled, and the democratic party un-
settled. He went on to allude to the term
black republican, which had been used.
MIR. ulee said the Republican name having
been given by the fathers of the country, a
sectional party had not the right to appropri-
ate it without some qualification. He would
not call them blacks, but would leave it to
themselves to supply the designation.
Mr.. Trumbull replied they call themselves
Republicans, because they advocate the prn-
ciples of Jefferson. If his party had made
any departure from those principles, he would
condemn such departure. The fathers of the
old Republican party were their model, from
whom their principles were taken. The very
words in their platforms, to which the senator
from Florida objected, were written by the
hand of Jefferson.
Mr.. Yulee-To create, and not to 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 slaveholding aristocra
cy, comprising only one out of sixty of the
inhabitants of the United States.
There was an interlocutory discussion be-
tween Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Trumbull concerning
the latter's views. Here is passage -
Mr.. Clay-Are there any circumstances un
der which crimes can be justified, excused, OF
tolerated?
Mr.. Trumbull--I did not call it crime
in the citizens Of the South to hold slaves.
Mr. Clay-ls polygamy a crime? Your
platform classes slavery and polygamy to-
gether.
cumstances. | take it that it is not a crime
in Turkey.
Mr.. Clay, interrupting-I thank you for
that concession in this Christian country
Mr.. Trnmbull--We regard it as a crime,
but other nations do not regard it So l do
not regard holding slaves as a crime, as they are
often held i'll the southern states. | think it is
a tor0Rg, but it is better to endure wrong than
undertake to right it by greater crime and
greater evil.
Mr.. Clay-Then l understand him, right
and wrong are merely conventional terms, and
depend on the laws 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 violation of the laws of the land.
There were no laws against p0lygamy in Tur-
key, or against slavery in the south.
In reply to Mr.. Pugh of Ohio he said he
spoke for himself Mr.. Pugh asked if Mr..
Chase of Ohio was an exponent of the princi-
Piles of the Republican party.
Mr.. Trumbull replied that the platform was
the only authorized source to derive their
principles. There might be as much difference
between the sentiments of different Republi-
cans, on some points, as between Mr. Pugh and
the rest of the Democratic party on the question
of popular sovereignty. Mr. L. maintained
that neither Congress nor the Territorial Leg
iSlature had power to create slavery in terri
tory, and took strong grounds in favor of colo
nzing, under the fostering care of the govern
ment, the colored population of the United
States
Jefferson Davis said it was not true that a
large lumber of arms were taken at Liberty,
Missouri, or that large number were kept.
Only enough were taken to arm about one
hundred men. and three light pieces of field
artillery. They were not kept two weeks,
and when they were returned the whole
amount of the expense for repairs and
losses was only four dollars. This is the
transaction held up as a parallel to the re-
cent foray into the state of Virginia. Mr.. Da-
Wis professed to believe there was a conspiracy
to invade the South extending through the
North and into England.
Mr.. Wilson referred to Gov. Wises threat,
to take Harper's Ferry and march on Wash
ington if Fremont wis elected.
Adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Davis of Mississippi, rose to make a
speech. A running discussion ensued on the
pending proposition whether it was relevant
to make speeches, as the previous question had
heretofore been amended and seconded, to cut
off discussion on Mr.. Clark's resolution and
Mr.. Gilmer's substitute
The clerk subsequently rose and put the
question as had been propounded, whether it
was competent for him to decide questions of
order, pending the election of Speaker.