The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-13
PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRTY SIXTH CONGRESS-
SENATE.
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w NASHINdTON, Dec. ~ lS59.-The Senate met at
noon.
On motion of Mr.. DAVIS resolution was adopt
ed, appointing committee to wait on the Presi-
dent and inform him that the Senate was ready to
receive communications, in order that he may have
an opportunity to send nominations and other ey-
ecutlye business, previous to the organization of
the House.
On motion of Mr.. BRowN, it was resolved to
proceed to the election of a chaplain on Thursday
next.
Mr.. MASON said he had been misunderstood by
the " "Constitution" newspaper, in a remark made
the other day about the Democratic party, when he
said that he believed the Democratic party if not
corrupt, at least was corruptible He did not mean
to accuse them of completely or sympathy with
John Brown, but simply to say that the question
OF the Territorial rights of the Southern people
great portion of the Northern Democracy are un-
sound. This a vital question to the rights and
Interests of the South. And on this question he
believed large portion, if not the whole, Northern
Democracy is unsound. He believed, and South
ern people believed, they had a right under the
Constitution to emgrate to any of the Territories
with their slave property, and where they have Il
right to the protection Of the law in the enjoyment
OF their property. And Congress has the power to
give that protection, and it is its duty to do it.
IL can be disputed that this is not the position
OF the Northern Democracy. At least that portion
who follow Mr. Douglas. They deny the power of
Congress over the sub ject. Deny that Congress
can exercise jurisdiction to give that protec-
ton.
people the
Territories themselves in the Territorial FORM and
when a sufficient number of the people 90 into a
Territory to form political community, they have
complete power to regulate the subject of slavery
as they please; and neither Congress nor any hu-
man tribunal has the power to interfere.
Now he contended that the position was as un-
sound as the Wimot proviso When he said the
Democratic party were at least cOrruptble. he did
not allude to them in moral sense, but
spoke in political sense, thinking the
time was fast coming when they would be so, un-
der the pressure of a strong and overwhelming SEN
tlment at the North. If they had not already be-
come abOlitionized, they would soon become so.
Mr.. BIGLER surprised to hear the remarks of
the Senator the other day. He thought he did the
Democratic party of the North great injustice, for
he certainly used strong language, and went on at
some length to they were as rotten and corrupt
on this subject the Republican party He (Mr
Bigler) would tell him that such declaration had
no foundation in fact. Not only have no portion
OF the Democratic party sympathized with John
brown III. IN his atrocious onslaught upon Virginia,
but as little had they sympathized with abolition
ism. He was gratifed with the Senator's dis
clamer as far as it went, but Justice required him
to declare that the Northern Democracy had la
bored day after day, in season and out of season,
in defence of the rights of the South
Mr.. lyERsON.-I said that very thing in nv re
marks but in the other case. | referred 10 the
portion of the Democratic party which, under the
lead OF Mr.. Douglas, has denied the rights of
Southern people.
hardly realize how the expression ''rottenness of
the Democratic party" fell on his ears At the
North, Democrats were called Dough-taces because
they stood up for the rights of the South There
were different opinions among the Democrats of the
North with regard to the question to Territorial
rights, and he would not say they would all agree
with Mr. lversOn. But they had 90 sympathy with
the Abolition party, and every Democratic paper in
his county had denounced John Brosn raid. His
own opinion on this question was this He don't
claim that the Constitution establishes slavery or
prohibits it anywhere but the Constitution most
expressly declares that the States are perfectly
equal, and provides that States shall come into
the Union terms of perfect equality with the old
it is not denied that the Territories are the proper
ty of the States in common, and that Congress
is simply their Trustee. 1t is upon thi:
principle of perfect equality and justice, that
these common owners have an equal right to
the occupancy and enjoyment of the Territories SC
long as their Territorial existence remains | be
| heve that the common law of England and the com
| mon law OF this country, with the fugitive slave
law, would afford all the protection the owners o
! slaves would require in any Territory. Whenever
| it is alleged that the Territorial Legislature has
| transcended its legitimate authority to the detr
ment of private rights-that is a question for the
Judicary-and when the judiciary give judgment
in such cases, the whole power of the Federal Gov
! ernment must be employed to carry out the law
! thus defined.
! 1t is simply the broad doctrine of allowing the
! people of the Territory to exercise Just that au
| thority which they may exercise under the Consti
| tuition and law. When a dispute arises whether
they transcend authority, that is question: not fol-
Congress, but for the Court. Holding that opinion
! don't believe | am an abolitionist, nor those
represent. don't seek in any way to disturb tn,
| rights of my Southern brethren. From the hour
first came into political life, to the present day,
believe have never gone through political cam
| paign when the rights of the South were not thu
| leading issue. At the North we have been constant
ly assaied by the opposition. They are assailinl
the Democratic party every day, on ground
that we are subservient to the South; and we arr
| proslavery men. We say we simply seek to main
| tain the constitutional rights of the Southerr
States. Our object is to put down the spirit O
elimination which must ultimately lead to aliepa
tiOn and separation between people who ought T.
| be friends and brethren.
Mr.. BTGLER said he thought he had spent an hon
in defence of the South, where Mr.. Iverson ha
| spent one minute He could not sit still unde
such imputations, as the Senator had hurled on III
Democratic party, without telling him he had don
| injustice The Northern Democracy had stood Iik
a bulwark between the South and abolitionism
Break US down at yonr peril
MIR. PUGH was glad Mr.. Iverson had made tbi
explanation. lie would give notice that on som
| convenient occasion he should have something L
say on the subject; he had heard just exactl
enough OF this to require something more. If th
Democracy of the Southern States held the senti