Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-03
JOHN BROWN IN THE LEGISLATURE.

both branches of the Legislature, yesterday.
There were motions to adjourn on account of
his execution, and the proceeding were as fol-
lows -
SENATE.-Immediately after the close of the
prayer, in which alusion was made to the ex-
ecution of John Brown in Virginia, Mr.. Luce
of the Island District moved, in view of the
event alluded TO by the Chaplain, that the
Senate adjourn.
This was opposed by Mr.. Rich of Suffolk,
Tho called for the yeas and nays on the ques-
ton The yeas aud nays being ordered, re-
suited as follows:
YEAs-NIessrs. Bacon, Bagg, Cornell, Fisher,
Hotchkiss, Luce, Metcalf, d. f. Parker-S.
NAYs--.1tessrs. Atwood, Branning, G. l.. Davis,
Frost, Goddard, Knight, Odiorne, Osgood, Rich,
Sawin, Simmons-u.
HousE.-NIr. Ray of Nantucket offered the
following motion:
Moved, That for the great respect we have
for the truthfulnesS AID faith that John Brown
has in man and his religion, and the strong
sympathy for the love of liberty 1.-THE avowed
principle OF Massachusetts,, for which he is
this day to die, this House do now adjourn
Mr.. Spofford of Newburyport was proceed
inc to argue the question, when Mr.. Went
worth of Lowell raised the point eft order that
the motion was not debatabe.
Some discussion ensued as to the chararter
of the order, and whether it was debatable or
amendable, or could be laid over.
The Chair (Mr. Rice of Worcester) decided
that the order might be amended, but could
not be laid over.
Mr.. Ray chen proposed to amend his order
so that the adjournment shall take place at IL
O'Clock Other propositions were made to adj
journ at l and O'Clock.
Mr.. Robinson of Middleboro' moved to
amend by striking out the preamble.
Mr.. Wentworth of Lowell appealed from the
decision of the chair that the order could not
be made to lie over.
Mr.. Russell of Boston thought the motion
was not an order which could be laid over.
The vote was then taken, and the decision
of the chair was sustained.
Mr.. Spoiiord of Newburyport said he thought
he perceived disposition on the part of some
of the leading men of the House to skulk the
question: by emitting the preamble of reasons.
He went on to speak against the motion, and
closed by asking for the yeas and nays.
Mr.. Atwill of Lynn thought it was unneces-
sary for the House to express an opinion upon
John Brown and his acts, and that it ought to
go on with the business of the session.
Mr.. Robinson of Middleboro was opposed to
adjournment at any rate; and he was unwil-
ling to say that he thought John Brown was
right, though he respected him and thought
his motives were good. On this principle he
hoped the preamble of the resolution would be
struck out.
Mr.. Griffin of Maiden said he could not see
any reason for getting into such white heat
as had been manifested by the gentleman from
Newburyport. While he thought that it would
be more wise for the House to remain in SEES
sion during the melancholy events of the day,
he hoped nobody would be frightened by the
Al,
tleman. There is not man here who would
not travel from here to Virginia to arrest the
hand of any man who should attempt to harm
that frightened commonwealth. The spirit of
the order is merely a tribute to the piety and
integrity of John Brown. If we are to adopt
anything, let us adopt the recital that is the
best part of the order He did not think the
House shulila adjourn whenever any good man
was in danger. The event of to-day acquires
no new significance by anything we can do.
Let us initiate Old Brown, and attend to the
business God and our constituents have given
us to do. Ii in order, he would move that the
motion be indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. Spofford replied with some terrible
fourishes and several long pulls at the tail
feathers of the eagle. He was surprised that
the Republicans did not endorse John Brown
without qualification.
Mr.. Wentworth satrized Mr.. Spoford's ex-
hibiton of zeal for the Constitution and Union,
but he thought it unnecessary. We are all for
the Constitution and the Union. Without eX-
pressing any opinion as to the precise meaning
of the Observation-Disclosures it endorsed John
Browns acts, or merely praised his piety and
fidelity to duty. Let Virginia take the respon-
sibility; and let it not be said that she execut-
ed Brown on account of the exhibitions of
noglhe6fifhn said the gentleman Mr.. Spofford)
seemed to infer reasonable inference in the
resolution. 1t was not the Legislature OF Mas
saehusetts which entertains the treason. The
telegraph tells us daily where the treason is
lurking. The gentleman from Newburyport
can do no better when his services here are
closed, than to make tracks for South Carolina.
He called the gentleman's attention to the
resolutions of the South Carolina Legisa-
ture, proposing to establish a Southern
Contederacy, and the remarks of the
Governor on it. This furnished a beautiful
theme for the gentleman from Newburyport
Where can his young heart find greener pas
lures than there :? Why should he spend his
breath here with these fanatics when his
brethren Of South Carolina are willing to take
up arms for the overthrowing of this constitu-
ton? He is needed in South Carolina. They
are crying for him, as babies down town are
said to be crying for worm lozenges. Laugh
teri Mr.. Griffin had high views of John
Brown, and his value to the race, but this was
not the place to express these views. In 9TH
er places it may be done. Had there been a
motion to adjourn, out of respect to Washing
ton Irving, he would have opposed it, He re-
newed the motion to indefinitely postpone
Mr.. Tucker of Boston made characteristic
Speech calling DIR. S. G. Howe "that coward"
Finally, the preamble was struck out by
vote Of l04 to "a. And then the House reius-
I n