Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-13
The slavery Debates.

The debates in both houses of Congress last
week. on the slavery question were highly inte-
resting and important. The resolution intro
duced in the Senate by Mr.. Mason, for an inquiry
into the Harper's Ferry affair, gave rise to the
discussion in that body. The resolution IS al
mi,ted on all hands to be proper one, yet the
Republican Senators have, in an apparently lao
tious spirit, delayed its passage. These same
gentlemen, however, have unanimously and win
every appearance of sincerity, denounced
Browns enterprise, and dsclamed for them
selves and the great mass of their people any
sympathy for such interferences with our rights
Helpers book is the subject under discussion
in the House of Representatives. Many OF the
Republican members including Sherman, their
candidate for Speaker, recommended the book
for general circulation in the Presidential canvass
of 1856. They cannot relieve themselves OF the
odium which justly attaches to their act, but it
is gratifying to see that they repudiate the SEN
timents of the book and seem ashamed of the
business. Sherman and others declare that they
hold no opinions hostile to the rights OF slave
holders, and that they never read or saw Helpers
publication, although they endorsed it! AS re-
marked by member, Mr. Sherman is not the
right sort Of man for Speaker, as he might sign
bills without knowing what they contain. lt-is
proper, however, that he should have the beneh
of his own explanation. We state therefore thai
Francis P, Blair says Helper promised to ez-
punge s'the obnoxious matter" from the work
and it was upon this assurance that many mem
bers of Congress were induced to recommend it
The New York Tribune also says, the extracts
from Helpers book, published in the papers
"were not in the compendium prepared for gen.
eral circulation, and the Congressional names
appended to them are, therefore, morally forged
as they never recommended any such sentl-
ments."
| Some Of the Democratic members improved
the opportunity to make little party capital
Senator Mallory, of Florida, thought "the onl!
safety for the country would be found In tn
Democratic party" Mr.. Reuben Davis, of Mis-
sissippi. proclaimed in the House that "it wa
the duty Of all conservative and patriotic men t
rally to the elppcrt Of the Democracy, the onl!
national party" Senator Iyerson, OF Georgia
another Democrat, was not quite SO compmen
tary. "He believed the Northern portion OF tn
Democracy was as rotten on this question as tn
Black Republicans" # Sherman was eleote'
Speaker OF the House, be would counsel bis con-
stituents to break up the Union. What woul'
be his advice, but he did not know that his peo'
pie would follow 1t, for he was considered evel
in Georgia little ultra" Rather so.
The Incorporate zeal of certain class o
Southern members was illustrated at one stag
of the debate. Mr.. Nelson, of Tenn, delivered
an eloquent and patriotic speech in favor OF
Ipeaoeatle settlement Of the pending difficulties
when what does Mr.. r. A. Pryor do but pounc'
upon him as fercely as if he had advocated
abolition sentiments. We regret that the man
agement of affairs for Virginia and the South Il
not left to such men as Mr.. Millson, of Norfolk
whose calm aud statesmanlke speech was II
striking contrast to the haransues OF some OF Ill
colleagues.