The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-14
PROCEEDINGS on THE THIRTY, SIXTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.

E.
WASHINGTON, Jan. lS.-1he Senate is not in ses-
sion to-day.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia, said there were two pro-
positions in the resolution offered by Mr.. Clark of
Missouri First-That the doctrines of the Helper
book are insurrectiOnary and hostile to the peace
of the country. Was not this true to the very let
ter? He asked the question. The next proposition
was that no member of this House, who endorsed or
recommended the doctrines and sentiments therein
affirmed, is fit to be the Speaker of this House
Was not this also true to the letter? He wanted an
answer.
Mr.. BINGHAM said he wished only to say to the
gentleman, to the House, and to the country, that
when the gentleman from Virginia denounces that
book without limitation as an incendary produc-
ton, he denounces the last will and testament of
Washington, which is contained in that book The
resolution denounces the unanimous declarations of
the Convention of Virginia of IVA instructinr the
Congress at Philadelphia in that year. The resolu-
ton denounces all the truthful words of the dstin-
guished Mcdowell, OF Virginia, namely: ''Y ou NAV
yoke your slave to labor as an OK; you may compel
him to live to work and work to live; and vet the
idea that he was created free will abide with him.
because he has the right to the hope of immortal
ity." The resolution denounces the living senti-
ment of Jefferson, copied from mis- Notes on Vir-
ginia, namely: "I tremble for my country when !
reflect that God is just and has attribute to take
sides against slaves for their rights and liberty
The gentleman from Virginia should also remem-
Der that the denunciation in the resolution is also
denunciaton of the words of the Continental Con
gress when about entering upon years
war; wherein it was said in the articles of associa-
ton by the members thereof-that they held every
man or community of men as enemies of American
liberty who were not opposed to the traffic in slaves.
The resolution also denounces that part of the De
claratlon OF Independence which holds these truths
to be sell-eYdent: That all men are created equal
and endowed by their Creator with certain inalien-
able rights; among which are life, liberty and the
pursuit OF happiness, etc; and that when any form
OF Government becomes destructive of any of those
ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abol
ish it. The word abolish is embodied in this me-
morable declaration, for which your turning to Mr..
Smith) and my fathers fought through storm and
darkness that seven years war.
Mr.. SMITH replied that he trusted the House un-
derstood that the member from Ohio endorsed the
Helper book.
Mr. BrNGHAM-I ask the gentleman whether he
repudiates those sentiments?
Mr. SMITH-That is not the question.
Mr. BINGHAM-It is not, hey
Mr. SMITH wish the House and country to uu-
derstand that he endorses the Helper book; aud for
this he deserves the detestaton and of every
man who forms part of the American UDion.--
Applause.
The gentleman refers to the sentiments of dis
tinguished revolutionary men. Many of them
/ do endorse; others are false in philosophy and
false in fact. But when / make bargain stand
by it.
The gentleman, however, makes a bargain, and
then spurns it, If Thomas jefferson entertained
certain notions on the question of slavery, what
had that to do with the Federal Constitution
Did not the Convention which framed the Con-
stitution, adjust that question?
Mr. BINGHAM.-NO. The word slavery was ex-
plunged from the document.
Mr.. SMITH pointed to the clauses in the Consti-
tuition relating to slavery and the rendition of fu-
gitive slaves, and asked the gentleman from Ohio
why he did not respond in a somewhat peremptOry
TONE
Mr.. BrNGHAM-I want the gentleman to know |
am not his slave.
Mr.. SMTTH-Ifyou were would make you behave
better than you do now. You would get what you
Mr.. BINGHAM-Will you let me answer in nv own
way, or will you direct me what to say.
Mr.. SMTH-I will direct you to take your seat till
| get through.
Mr.. BINGHAM--l regret to find the gentleman is
so ill-mannered.
Mr.. McKNIGHT, of Pa, said to Mr.. Smith he had
not read the Helper Book, should he do until
ten years hence, to see what occasiOned the pre-
sent tempest in teapot.
Mr. SMITH thought that it was the gentemans
duty to read the book, to enlighten himself
Several gentlemen-Messrs DAVIDSON, TAYLOR,
and BOLOUGNY-made some explanations as to why
they had voted for Mr.. Maynard.
Mr. STEVENS played off joke. He said gravely
that he had been misrepresented in certain news
paper, and sent it up to be read The Clerk was
about to read it, when he discovered that it was
printed in German The laughter was general of
course. And here the matter ended.
Mr.. CoNKL1N called attention to 4 telegraph des-
patch, sent from this city, in which it was said
wished simply to say that the statement was with
out foundation in fact.
Mr.. BARKsDALE corroborated this statement.
Mr.. VALLANDIGHAM remarked that he had been
the 'second" Of Mr.. Conklin in passing over to Mr.
Barksdae bit of court-plaster in envelope
This was all that passed between them, and gave
rise, no doubt, to the report referred to. Laugh
ter.
Mr.. HATToN, of Tennessee made speech to show
that the Democrats and Southern oppositionists
together could not elect speaker, and pointed to
the fact the two, by uniting Gilmer, could
cure the support of other gentlemen, and thus could
succeed in electing him.
Mr. BARKsDALE, in the course of the debate asked
Mr.. Hatton why he would not Join the Democratic
party in resisting the aggressions of the Republi-
cans, instead of continuing his guerilla warfare
Mr. HATToN replied that in the canvass he said
that he had declared that, the man who took high
ground than he did he had vet seen; and that
if one such could be found he was willing to sur
render to him an open track.
Mr. BARKsDALE asked if the gentleman had vet
voted for Speaker, for any member other than
belonging to the Democratic party.
Mr.. HATToN replied that the time has not yet
but the time when the Democrats, who claim,
par erceeHce to be the defenders of the rights of
the South, could have elected a Southern man in
the person of Mr.. Gilmer
Mr.. BARKsDALE replied that Mr.. Gilmer was ac-
ceptabe to portion of the Black Republicans, and
that he would never vote for him.
Mr.. PENNINGTON made speech to show that the
discussion was ofnO practical utility and in con
cluson offered resolution for the adoption of the
plurality rule.
This was met with stern opposition from the
Democratic side.
After further proceedings the House adjourned
till Monday.