The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-02-04
Educating Africans.
THE DEBATE IN CONGRESS,

sion was made for the support and education OF
the negroes captured in the Echo, and returned
70 Africa by this Government. This clause was
opposed by the Southern democrats, on the
ground that IT was an inperlinent Interpolation
having no relation to the body of the bill. and
as Objectionable upon its own intrinsic merits.
Tho appropriation would sanction an unwar.
rantablc exercise of power by the Executive.
IN providing for the education Of tho Africans.
This Is an usurpation not sanctioned by tho
Act Of Congress. which directs merely that
they be returned to the spot, whence they were
kidnapped:
The Houee went into committee of the Who'll,
and took up the consular and diplomatic an
preparation bill.
The question was taken upon the proviso
submitted by Mr. Curry yesterday in regard to
incurred Ill pursuance of the act Of 1919, and it
was lost.
Mr. Crawford, of Georgia. said he could not
support the appropriation of $7a0oO for carry.
ing into effect the provisions of the act of 1919.
because $4,000 would go to the Colonization
society for supporting and educating the ne
groes taken from the brig Echo, and novel to
strike it out. The law of 1919 only authorized
the President to provide for the support of the
negroes while here, and effect their removal
beyond the limits Of the United States.
MIR. Stewart, of Md. sustained the action of
tho President rs eminently wise and proper.
The law of 1919 required him to take charoa of
these negroes and deliver them to a proner
agent. IT. in cffecting that result, it became
necessary to make contract with that agent
1or their support for n year. he could see no
good ground for objection. In CARRYING out
the law he thought the President should be
guided by principles of common sense. He
wa; opposed TO these superfne distinctions
made by gentlemen.
Dir. Nilsson, of Virginia, was surprised at the
seneltiveness OF Southern gentlemen upon this
SUBJECT, who seemed disposed to treat it as a
matter affecting the slave trade. lie did not
go regard it, for in his opinion if the South con.
demned the slave trade, che repudiated the
basis on which her institutions rest He thoucht
the President had pursued the proper course in
the premises, and quoted from Mr. Monroe to
snow that IN previous case he took the came
ground as Mr.. Buchanan.
=, MIR. Case, OF Indiana, moved to strike out
the whole section. lie thought it should be
strlceen out as an act of consistency in
country ~here rights of every sort were denied
70 negroes. Under the very shadow of the
capitol they were subjected to outrage and
wrong and consistency required that the same
policy she u!d be carried out
Mr. keitt. of S. c., said gentlemen from his
eide of the House had not conteuded that this
appropriation had anything to do with slavery
or or the slave trade. They had opposed it on
gentleman from Ohio yesterday found the point
OF law against him, and made out his argument
oy an appeal to the sympathies of the House.
A great deal had been said of the horrors Of
the middle passage of an unreguated slave
trade. but they were fully equalled, if not sur
passed, oy the horrors of the emigrant passage
between Europe and the Northern States. Tie
shores of New Jersey were whitened with the
bones Of the victims of the cupdity of eastern
ehiP-owners and the carelessness of those hnv-
ing them in charge. lie would not now dis
ens' the question of re.oPening the slave trade.
He regarded that as q great economic problem
which would resolve itself by its own inherent
vitality.
Mr. Crawford's amendment to reduce tho ap.
preparation to $4,000 was carried by ayes 76
nays 3s.
Mr. Seward. OLGA, offered as On amendment
Proviso for abolshing all the laws for the sup.
pres'ion of the slave trade, leaving that matter
under the control of the several States.
Mr. Bonham, of South Carolina, moved to
strike out the words "act now in force" So
far as he was aware. there was no other act
that contained the words for the suppression
of the slave trade" than the act of 1919. and
he would be glad to know from the Chairman
OF tho Committee of Ways and Means WHY
these words had been inserted. If IL was in.
money for the better executing of the act of
1920, 1t was not the place for it if TO enable
him or his agents more effectually to suppress
the slave trade, it was not the place for it.
Mr.. Seward. of Georgia. said he looked upon
oil laws for the suppression OF the slave trade
as misehievous and unconstitutional He would
not take ground in favor Of the revival of that
trade. but the laws on the subject contained
provisions which were, his judgment. clearly
unconstitutional.
Mr.. Burnett protested against this revival Of
tho slavery agitation. The question of the
revival of the slave trade was not in volved in
the appropriation under consideration, and he
appealed to gentlemen not to engage in excit-
ing debate upon subject not before them.
Mr.. Singleton said it was not his desire to
precipitate discussion. but the only hone of
the South was in strict adherence to law
She was the weaker party; the aboitionists
were constantly gaining upon her. and she must
interpose the Law between herself and her as
sailants. The appropriation asked for was in
violation Of law, and lie had opposed it on that
gr.1,d.
MIR. Cochrane, of N. Y, said the House was
discussing propositions not legitimately before
it. If it was proposed to repeal the law sur
pressing the slave trade, he was ready to meet
the issue when it was presented
Mr.. Groesbeck said he hePed if that issue
was to be made, it would be made at once. He
wasready to meet it. In his opinion it was more
likely that laws would be passed to more faith.
fully execute those in force than to repen
them.
Mr.. Hughes. of Ind. said that the democratic
party was based upon the constitution. and
therefore he belonged to it; but whenever il
should propose to repeal the laws for the sup-
pression of the slave trade, it would cease to
exist.
Mr.. Barksdale, of Miss, regretted this debate
because it was not the proper time to discuss
the subject. He was ready to take his position
when the issue came up. He believed the
President had violated the law in making the
contract, but he believed he was actuated bv
pure and honest motives.
Mr. Clay. of Ky, rose to personal explan.. +.
zion. He had said yesterday that he was on.
posed 70 all the laws for the suppression of the
slave trade. because they were too severe. He
had also opposed the 9th article of the tsea,v
OF Warrington, because out of that hal.
grown the eutsngling alliance with Great Bri.
tain which had led to the Preparation, oftbose
outr.gss in the Gulf of Mexico by her cruiser.
He also objected to the expense We were sul.
jessd to in keeping . squadron on tho coas. o
Africa; but notwithstanding these views. no
man was more opposed to . revival Of the AZ
riean slave trade than he was and he beI;eved
Tie people Of his distsict we're v;th h;n,-Ss