Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-12-15
congressional Procecdings-Meet-
Tag of the 3Gth Congress.
WAsHScroS, Dec. ;. 1853.

-
members. were qualified. There were
l3 absentees.
Senator Mason of Va. submitted
resolution which he would call mp the
next day. for the appointment of a
Committee to inquire into the facts
attending the late invasion and seizure
of the Arsenal and Armory at Har-
pef's Ferry by band Of armed men,
anil report whetherthe same was at
tended by armed resistance to the au-
thorifies and public force of the l =,
and the murder of NirgiDla's citizens.
or any troops sent there to protect
public property. whether such lnva-
sion was made under color of any or
ganization intended to subvert the
government of any of the States of the
Union the character and extent oil
such organization; whether any citizens
of the United States not present were
implicated therein, or accessory there
TO bv contributions of money. arms.
munitions, or otherwise; the character
and extent Of the military equipment
in the hands or under the control OF
said band; where. how. and when the
same was obtained. and transported to
the place invaded; also. to report what
Legislation if any is necessary by the
Government for the future preservation
Of the peace of the country, and the
safety of the public property: the
Committee to have power to send for
persons and papers.
Senator Trumbull Of Illinois. gave
notice that when the resolution came
up. he should move to amend by ex
tending the inquiry to the seizure Of
the Arsenal at Franklin. Missouri.
Resolutions were adopted informing
the House of Representatives and the
President that the Senate was ready for
business.
Senator Gwin Of California. gave
notice Of Pacific Railroad bill, after
which the Senate adjourned.
SENATE, Dec. 6.-Mr. Mason's res
olution offered the day previous came
up.
Mr.. Trumbull said it would receive
his hearty support. Wherever muir.
der was committed. let us ascertain
who are guilty. and hold them respon-
sible. lie hoped the investigation would
he thorough and complete. He be-
lieved it would do good by disabusng
the public mind. especially in the
South, of the idea that such move
ment received support from any con-
siderable number of citizens. Ii the
instigation was impartial and thorough
the effect upon the country would be
most salutary. Had similar inves-
tigation been instituted in 1855. it
would have been better. The Arsenal
at Liberty. Mo-, was then broken and
the public property taken away. He
briefly recapitulated the facts of that
occurrence, and said that that was for
the purpose of forcing Slavery into
Kansas, while at Harper's Ferry the
: effort was to abolish Slavery. lie then
offered an amendment to the resolution
r extending the inquiry to the former
case.
Mr.. Mason said that he would moi
stand in the way of the inquiry. nor o
applying proper Legislation. But now
e when four years had elapsed, and nei
ther that Senator nor those who &C
with him have asked ADMINISTRATION
it is little strange he should be S,
anxious to compel these transactions
: He said that the Committee could no
, examine both at once and therefore j
would be time and expense lost b,
adopting the amendment. He wante,
To ascertain whence the resources 70
the Harper's Ferry invasion were de
rived and who supplied the money
munitions. and counsel. He allude,
to the remarks of Mr.. Trumbull. re
speeding the shrieks from Kansas no
being heard of in Virginia. by sayin,
that no shrieks would be heard from
Virginia. happen what may, in thei
= political relation with others. He di
not know what a mans political edu
a cation could be to lead him to sue
i expressions In reference to recen
events. E
;, Mr.. Trumbull answered that moth
u ing the Senator might say could driv
/. him to speak Unexpectedly of Vii
n ginia or any other State of the Unior
:, lie spoke of the term "shrieks." a
! used in regard to the people OF Kansas
. but not with view of casting ridicul
&c on any portion of the country.
Is After some further discussion b,
&c tween these two Senators. Hale OF Ne
.. Hampshire. defined his position. II
was for the resolutioniand amendmcn
ii He was sorry. however. it had bee
:, introduced so early in the session. q
" he wanted the era of good feeling ,
n keep up until after Christmas. He di
Z. not want to serve on the Commit,
N Tor several reasons. That Commit.
Ia should consist of learned men. deepl
versed in phiIology. psychology, an
> theology. SO as to go to the bottom
ST theaifair. He wanted to look the who
Is thing right, in the face. and go to II
first principles. Some had relied on
- passage of Scripture. that God hs
" made of one blood all nations of II
= earth. He wanted to know wheth'
Dr. that did not mean all ,rhite men. /
would not retract word of all that
had said in his speeches. lie had bee
to accused of completely with the affai
or but he was not here to admit or der