Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-02-03
THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.
RsT SION

7
In the SENATE, on Monday, Mr.. Douglas
/ spoke at some length, arguing that the Gen
eral Government was bound to protect the
several States from conspiracies and domestic
invasion and recommending that the United
States Courts in the different States. be au-
thorized to take cognzance Of and punish
/ these offences. 1t could not be said that the
time had not arrived, nor that the Harper
| Ferry outbreak would not be repeated. The
/ llarper's Ferry outrage was the natural lOgi-
/ cal and inevitable result of the doctrines and
teachings OF the Republican party as express
ed in the party platform, by the party presses.
and in the speeches of the parry leaders.
| Applause. He had not made the charge
against the Republicans for party purposes
| The great idea underlying that organization
was unceasing war against Slavery until it
was extinguiShed. .
1t was not enough for Republicans to disavow
the Harper's Ferry outbreak they must
! dlsavow the doctrines which produced it.
Mr.. Fesseaden was somewhat at loss to
imagine the necessity of the resolution intro
duced by the Senator from Illinois A Com
mittee had been appointed to investigate the
Harper's Ferry outbreak, and he was willing
TO wait for their report.
He denied that the Republican party is
responsible for the Harper's Ferry invasion.
There is nothing new in their charge 1t
had been made repeatedly here and in the
newspapers, and had got to be a dogma of
the Democratic party, and part of their
scheme for the next campaign. 1t was in
tended to affect the fall elections. He asked
Mr.. Douglas question to which the latter
replied his doctrine was that the Federal
Government should exercise no power direct
ly or indirectly to control, form, or other
wise influence the domustic institutions Of
the States or Territories
Mr.. Fessenden asserted TO the fullest ex-
tent that the Government could not inter
fere with the institutions OF the States. ANY
charge that the Republicans fovored this
doctrine is unfounded He asked if the SEN
ator from Illinois said the Republicans not
only wanted to repress, but also to make war
on slavery in the States
Mr.. Douglas.-I did.
Mr.. Fessenden.-I deny it. 1t could not
be found in the party creed. The Republi-
can party was formed to prevent the intro
ductlon Of Slavery into free territories
When it was charged that the Republicans
were warning on the South, it should be
rscollected that they held the doctrines of
the fathers of the Republic. The Senator
from Virginia. admitted the views of South
ern men on Slavery are not now what they
were.
Mr.. Mason said that the South, after full
consideration and experience, had arrived at
the conclusion that slavery ennobed both
races. Our early fathers were not abolition
lists. They did not think it practical OF ex-
pedIent to abolish Slavery. but thought by
cutting off the Slave trade Slavery would
die off of ITSELF
MIR. Fessenden said the Senator h d ad-
mltted all he desired. The early men of the
Republic thought that BY restricting Slave
ry. the institution would die out. They
wanted 1t to die. That is the position of the
Republican party. The Senator from Illil-
IT'S was Indifferent whether slavery was ex-
tended or not
Mr.. Douglas quoted from Mr. Sewarl's
speech to show, that he meant that the rres-
presslole conflict must 20 on till either there
was not slave State left, or all had become |
sltvehoidlng. In regard to the charge of |
indifference whether the States adopt free on /
slave institutions, what he meant was that
II was none OF his business whether the Peep
lie OF Kansas al 1 Freedom or Slavery. 1t |
was their business. He wanted the people
there 20 regulate their affairs in their own
W y. and they might call his Squatter
Sovereignty or what they pleased. The
Senate then adjourned.
In the House little of interest was done
but to listen to speech from Mr.. Corwin.
tie resumed his speech on Tuesday, and
spoke Tor four hours. No ballot was taken
either day.
=, housE'-On motion of MIR Maynard, the
House proceeded to vote for Speaker, amid
much excitement. The South Americans
voted Tor Smith of NC. Various Democrats
low seeing that there was a prospect Of an
'lectlon changed their votes to him.