Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-02-11
THIRTY-sIXTH CONGRESS.
FRIDAY. Feb. 10.

HOUSE-
Mr. Reagan was appointed a member of
the Committee on Indian Affairs, in place OF
Farnsworth, excused. Mr.. Thomas was ap-
pointed member of the Committee on Revo-
lutionary pensions, in place of Reagan, ex-
cused. Mr.. Hindman was appointed men,
Der of the Committee on Private Land Claims,
in place of Hamilton, excused.
Mr.. MORSE offered a resolution, which lies
over, calling on the President to communicate
copies of all communications which have been
received from the British government and
other officers, on the African slave trade, and
since February, 1853, and copies of all the cor
respOndence between the British and United
States governments on the subject of the slave
trade. On motion of Mr.. Morse, the Commit
tee on Commerce was directed to inquire into
the expediency of prohibiting by law all Amer
ican vessels engaging in the coolie trade, or in
the transportation of apprentices to the West
Indies or other parts of the world.
The Speaker laid before the House a copy of
the state constitution recently adopted at Wy
andotte, Kansas, as preliminary to the admis-
sion of Kansas into the Union.
Mr.. MORSE introduced resolution that the
several standing committees who were author
lied to employ clerks at the last session of
Congress, be now authorized to do SO, with
the addition of the Committee on Accounts
and Territories.
Mr.. HoUsToN said there was no present ne
cessity for clerks. He moved to table the res
olution. Negatved.
Mr.. BENNETT said they could be of no use
except as private secretaries to the chairman,
The Democrats continued to oppose the reso-
luton by dilatory motions Without dispos-
ing of it, the House revolved itself into the
Committee of the Whole on the state of the
Union, Mr.. WAsHBURNE of Illinois in the
chair.
Mr.. SHERMAN offered series of resolutions
referring the several parts of the Presidents
message to appropriate standing committees,
and the Pacific railroad question to select
committee of fifteen.
Mr.. FERRY of Connecticut proceeded to re-
ply to what he characterized as the unfounded
aud unprecedented assaults made on the Re-
publican party. He stated what he considered
the fundamental principles of the Democratic
party for slavery, and argued that property
ia man cannot exist as natural right. 1t was
a libel on the constitution to say that slavery
exists anywhere by virtue OF its provisions.
Every page of that document is radiant with
the light of universal liberty. He said the
Democratic organization is committed to the
principle that slavery is in accordance with
natural right, and is SO guaranteed by the con-
stitution; and there is superadded the claim
that its expansion should be everywhere. But
Senator Douglas doctrine is detestable in
morals and worse in logic. The principles to
which he had alluded was suited to swindling
politicians and lying demagOgues, shameless
in everything but personal ambition, and was
destined to be crushed out. In conclusion, he
gave his views, in the course of which he said
he would not interfere with slavery where it
exists, but would prohibit its further exte nson.
Mr.. REAGAN explained his views, after
which the committee rose
A memorial from f. p. Blair, was received,
contesting the seat now occupied by Mr.. Bar
rett of Missouri. Referred 10 the Committee
on Elections. Adjourned.