The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1860-04-21
THvEsOav. April J.

IH-EsOt-- April J.
.Ssl'--lIr Mason resolution 10 take
a recess from the IttA 10 the Goth Of April
waS taken UD
Mr Mason advocated it on the ground
that no business could be done ia that pc
gio'i. and that i Was better u adjourn
over every three days.
Nr. johnson, oi Ark. va, opposed =
the rvs .lutlOn he thought that tuev could
do business that did no: elicit serious con-
trover-v
Nr. Chandler moved. rs an amcuirnqnt
to al, ,ourn from the 10Th OF April 10 the
:.22d Of May. 30 a. to cover all the couyen-
tioUs.
Mr. Mason Withdrew hi5 resolution
The chair called up the special order. it
being business which related to the Dis
trict of Columbia. with which the senate
wa occupied theremainder Of the day.
The bill to grant So 900 for five years
to the public schools was taken up.
Mr. Clark offered an amendment that
portion should go for the education of the
colored population.
This excited some debate Mr Brown
wa, willing that the free negroes in the
district should be educated in their own
schools, and 10 authorize them to tax
themselves for the purpose. lie would
go further, and say ifthe northern people
would let the slaves alone, he would favor
the education Of tue slaves But for the
interference of the north. this would have
been done long ago. They gave their
blacks religious education. aud would
give them other instructions but that
northern fanatics take advantage OF their
learning to make them their own enc
mics.
Mr. Mason opposed the amendment
He thought it wise policy on the part of
of the southen states TO Withhold e,i,ca-
ton from the tlaves. Negroes bound or
free, form 10 part of our political society.
The amendment was further discussed
by Messrs Bayard, Davis and others
Mr.. Wilson said whenever Republicans
resist the expansion of slavery. they had
/ lectures from the other side on the equal
itv of the races The north don't seize
black men and sell them for fear of their
! equality. The north was not unwilling 70
/ permit black men read the Bible.
Mr.. Iverson said it was not true that
/ the slaves were not allowed to learn to
read They are not allowed to learn to
! write, for that would be dangerous.
! Mr.. Wilson, am sorry the senator
! don't 1 understand the laws of his own state.
! have the laws of the southern states in
! in my room, proving what | say, and will
/ produce them here.
Mr.. Davis inquired whether Mr. Wilson
believed in the equality Of all men, black
and white.
Mr. Wilson replied, so far as national
rights were concerned he did In mental
! and physical characteristics he believed
| the African race inferior TO the white race
! Mr. Dayis-Does he mean in social and
politica! rights, or in political and social
! equality? For what right means, is thing
to be determined afterwards
Mr. Wilson, believe every human be-
ing has a right to his life, liberty, and tc
act so as to secure his own happiness; in
other words, l believe the Declaration o.
independence exactly and precisely.
Ny. Harlan asked Mr.. Davis if he be
lieved in the equality of all white men.
Mr.. Davis-Ies; in the political equali
ty of every citizen of the United States
: He alluded to some of Mr.. Wilson's re
marks being offensive, and said that sena
tor spoke on his own responsibility.
Mr. Wilson disclaimed any intention o
giving offense, but said while he regarded
duelling barbarious code, he shoul,
not shrink from uttering his sentiment
; hereor elsewhere, and accepting tho ful
responsibility.