Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-03-28
rH,RrYs1xrH CONGRESS.

Wyfch materially dlHerS from That passed oy
the House, which he opposed. No action
was taken on the Nicaragua treaty to-day.
The President, in reply to a resolution CON-
municated his Instructions to Mr.. M'Lane con-
fidentially. On the oath May and the 30th of
July last, he was authorized to offer SIC, ,00O,-
600 for Lower California. and the right of way
from the Rio Grande to Mazatlan, and from
Arizona to Guaymss. Juarez desired sepa-
rate treaty for this object, and the negotiation
finally fell through. The House concluded
action on its rules. Speeches are to be limi-
ted to one hour each. Mr.. Cox, of Ohio want
ed Mr.. M'Lane's STILL born treaty with Juarez
adopted, SO as to commence the work of mas
ticating Mexico.
MARCH 2O.-The Senate adopted resolu-
tion looking towards the extinction of the In
dian title to lands about Pixies Peak. Mr..
Mason of Va, objected to the resolution, say
ing we wanted no more territory. He meant
of course that we want no more TO be occupied
by free laborers. Mr.. Wilson introduced
bill for the building Of five steamers to serve
in the African waters in suppressing the slave
trade; resolution authorizing the President
TO negotiate for the establishment of general
right of search within 200 miles of the West
Coast OF Africa and an order instructing the
Judiciary committee to report bill changing
the punishment of those convicted of being
engaged in the slave trade to Imprisonment
for life, instead of death, provided by the
existing law. The Harper's Ferry Committee
are at a stand-still, and undecided either to
go backward or forward. The resolution not
to summon Gov. Wise has been re-considered
but he has not yet been called. If summoned,
he will probably refuse to testify on certain
points, ard then the Senate may cage another
State prisoner. When the Committee on Pub
lie expenditures have thoroughly explored the
printing corruption, and the political uses to
which a portion of its profits were applied,
they will examine into the manner in which
Secretary Cobb has leased the public stores
in New York to the same parties who were
concerned in the Fort Smelling, Willett's
Point. and New Bedford speculations.
MARCH 21.-The Senate passed the bill TO
reduce the price of public printing 25 per cent
1t provides that the binding shall be done by
binders elected by Congress. A resolution,
offered by Mr.. Hale, was adopted, inquiring
of the President if any instructions had been
given to officers of the Navy, by which in any
event the naval forces of the United States
were to take part in the civil war in Mexico,
and by what authority certain Mexican steam
were captured and their officers and crew
made prisoners. Mr.. Stanton, of Ohio. Offer
ed a resolution to the same effect in the
House. Mr.. Dawes report from the Commit
tee on Elections, authorizing Mr.. Williamson
to take testimony to contest Mr.. Sickle's seat,
was adopted by vote OF 80 to 81.
MARCH pa lengthy debate was had in
the Senate the Homestead Bill. The cir
repressible conf1ict'' was never more vividly
outlined. The speeches of Mr.. Clingman and
Mr.. Wigfall evince that confusion of ideas
with regard to Mans Right to the Soil which
must prevail wherever the laborer who tils
the earth is conceded no rights but those of a
chatte. Mr.. Wigfali of Texas said the Home
stead question he regarded as party issue.
If this government elemosynary in its
character-if it was established to provide for
the halt, blind, lame, deaf, &c.,-if it could
give land to the landless-why not niggers
to the niggerless-it might reopen the Afri-
can slave-trade on missionary grounds and
bring negroes here to be converted. III we
could give lands, We could give money. If
they were TO give lands, he should propose TO
give each man S160 in cash, and pay him mi
leage to come to Washington, and negroes to
work the land-he thought three would be e.
nough, one man, one woman and child, with
the prospect of large increase. He denoun-
ced the policy of the New England States
they had always lived off their neighbors.
Nothing better could occur than dissolution
of the Union. New England would then beg
the South to come back. Her spindles would
cease to turn, and her ships rot at the wharve;
her sailors and operatives, turned out to starve
would burn and steal. He believed no Black
Republican could ever be inaugurated Presi-
dent of the United States and hooted at the
idea of the army forcing the South to submit
to such proceeding. He could only see one
man on the other side Of the Senate who had
ever seen the flashing of gun. On his side,
were plentyi of warriors-men who understood
war and fighting. On the other he saw none.
He would as soon confederate with Old Eng
land as with New England. They were of his
own blood-he Englishman. Not a
drop of blood was shed by our forefather's for
the Union-it was for liberty. The people of
the South have been kept quiet for time on
the supposition that the Union was of divine
origin-that Gen. Washington, or Gen. jack
son, or the Almighty. had at some time FORM
ed this Union, and old King George had come
over here with some Hessans to break it up
and thus they had been forced to consider
whether slavery is a moral, social and poiti-
cal evil; and whether this Union was cement
ed by the blood of our ancestors, and whether
it is treason to consider if we are living under
the best form of government. He would like
to see a Northern man come to Texas and ask
a white man to black his boots or curry his
horse-he would get curried himself. Yet he
could do that at the North, and that was call
ed Freedom. No one will be surprised at
this harangue, when they learn that the man
who made it had the liquor that inspired il on
the desk before him, and imbibed SO freely
that he was devoid of reason.] Mr.. Clingman's
proposition that any man shall be allowed to
take quarter-section of the Public Lands to-
day, sell it to monopolizing, forstaling spec
| ulator tomorrow, take another quarter Sec
tion next day, sell it the day after, &C.. and
Mr.. Wigfall's threat to propose distribution
of money and slaves to each freeman, suffi-
ciently indicate the spirit in which the Slave
power will fight the Homestead bill.
At the prices fixed by the Charleston land
lords, it will cost all delegates and outsiders
from the Northwest, who attend the Demo-