Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-02-11
Slavery Agitation.

A large number of petitions are pouring
into the Massachusetts legislature for legls-
lation against delivering up fugitive slaves.
Every time one comes in, Caleb Gushing
who is member from Newburyport, goes
into spasms about the Union, and opposes
their reception and reference, notwishstand-
ing which, the legislature continues to re-
ceiye and refer them respectfully, the right
of petition not being doubted by the Re-
publicans. Last Friday, Caleb had anoth-
err attack of " niger" whereupon one or
two Republican members " carried the war
into Africa" up to the hilt. One of these
petitions had just been presented, and there
upon Caleb burst out as follows:
lie said they were printed, and came
from evil disposed persons-an association
known as the Anti-Slavery Society, who
had for their avowed purpose the overthrow
of this government, and who were plotting
against the welfare of this country. They
purpose to kindle civil war 10 convert one
half the country into another San Domin-
90. Associated with them were enemies
of this country. AT one Of their meetings
held in this city, an Englishman had taken
a part in the denunciation of the institu-
tons of this country. These men an
nounced that they intend tosqcceed in their
purpose by the aid Of the present legisla-
ture, and this explains the reason why these
printed petitions are presented. For this
reason he felt it to be his duty to speak
against their reference.
MIR. Wells of Greenfield, said that the
question was one of reference, and he could
not understand what the House had TO do
with anything else. He believed that the
House was not to be frightened from its
usual course of legislation by anything which
an Englishmen may have said outside Of
the House, or what that gentlemans late
! colleague Mr.. jefferson Davis) said wher
he proposed to arm Mississippi preparatory
to dissolution of the Union, in case re
publican president should be elected, which
would be sufficient cause for disunion. /
gentlemen desired to air their rhetoric OF
this question, it was very well, but the Hous'
did not care copper for anything said out
side this hall, and he hoped that the petition
would take the usual reference.
Mr.. Goodwin of Lowell, said he was no
surprised that the keen scent of the gentle
man from Newburyport had so quickly de
tected the Ethiopian in this wood-pile; h
was surprised, however, to learn that there
was, in the language of the gentleman,
+" gang of conspirators against the welfar
of our common country" intending TO ''con
troll the legislature" If this be so, he wa
glad the gentleman was so ready to look al
ter the conspirators. While his hand wa
in, it was to be hoped he would go further
: and instead of coafning his energies to
E handful of non-yoting enthusiasts. aided b,
few negroes and unsexed women, that h
would extend his denunciations and hostili
ties to large number of the democratic
: members of Congress, who OCCASIONAL,
, avow themselves conspirators against on
common country" declaring that the elee
ton of republican president would rem
der it the duty of the southern states II
dissolve the Union.