Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-04-27
Mr.. GIddings on the PSwers OF the seua

And drive the commerce Of the main
God bless them. for their swsrthy bands
1s8I Have wrought the glory OF all lands.
Mr.. GIddings on the Pswers OF the senate
Mr.. Mas on presented the return Of the
United States Martial johnson on the warrant
for the arrest Of John Brown, Jr. in Ohio
The return states that it is impossible to az.
rest Brown unless an armed fOrce is sent fol
hat purpose.
Mr. Mason also presented the return of The
Marshal for the arrest of + B. Sanborn, which
rccaptulales the facts as stated heretofore, and
adds that no arrest can be made, owing 70 The
judicial proceedings of the State OF Massaehu-
sets Both wirTants aud returns were refer
red 10 the Committee on the Judiciary, with
instructions to inquire and report il any further
proceedings were necessary to vindicate the
authority ofthe Senate and TO effect the arrest
of Witnesses Proceedings of The Senate Of tks
U. S. APrl Is, 1860.
1t was well for the Senate TO pause in the
exercise of such powers A citizen of Mass
achusetts had been maneled in his own dwell.
ling, by order Of the Senate, and was released
BY the Judiciary of that State. Brown seems
to have notified the Marshal that be would re-
cOgLiEe no authority IN the "Harper's Ferry
committee to manacle him. The Senate has
in degree become OdiOus BY these eff,rts to
aid the slave power. The people of this Wes>
tern Reserve are in the habit of scrutinizing
the powers exercised BY any department of
government that inyades their liberty.
They well understand that this "Harper's Fer
ry Committee" originated with the author Of
the Fugitive Slave Law, aud certain mem>
Der from Ohio when they began the inquire of
John Brown, as to who aided him in his raid.
Our people then thought the matter rather
ridiculous and mean. Nor are they quite esrtsia
that it has become more respectable since the
Senate appointed this committe to carry for
ward the plan set on foot By those two Yolun.
leer guardians Of slavery.
They ask in 60 ,d earnest lcbat has tke Senate
of thc United States 10 do ioifh an insurTt etion
Of siaBes ia Virginia They well understand
that it Woald be violation of the Constitution
Of the United States, for the Executive, or any
department Of the federal government, to in
teIeleTe with the affairs of Virginia, unless
called on By the Legislature Of that State, or
by the EXesutiVe according to the letter and
spirit of the Constitution. Mr. Buchanan, the
Democratic President understood his duties on
this subject, and although be was anxious to
aid the slave power, be would do nothing be-
yond protecting the properly of The United
States, until called on by the State of Virginia.
Gov. Wise pablicly co onpaine1 Of the Pfesis
dents indifference TO the insurrection, yet
WOtid make no efieid application for the
President to suppress the insurrection.
He feared that if be called on the President
70 take the matter into his haads, the United
States wonld then havs power to suppress the
domestic violence by giving liberty 70 the
slapss That one united voice from the Chris
tian world would 90 up TO the President not to
restore peace by shooting down the abused,
oppressed and fnendless slaves, but by rcstor-
ing them 10 liberty.
We recolect the time when shareholders Of
Congress had declared il the duty of the federal
government to suppress "slave insurrections :"
and John Quincy Adams told them hOD Il
icOnH be done, and explained that such case
would give to the federal government power to
emGRcipate The SLAVES. Southern members were
excited their bTows were bent, their lips
compressed, they uttered deep curses upon
Mr.. Adams, but not one attempted to Telute or
deny his doctrine, which 1 apprehend never
will be denied, by any Republican. Gov. Wise
was a member at the time, and hesitate not
to say he will never call upon the President to
suppress a slave insurrection, until absolute
necessity compels him to do So
But what Eglt OF Authority has the Senate
of the United States to appoint this inquisito-
rial Committee, TO inquire into any violation of
Virginia lawsl What right have they to send
to Ohio, or to Massachusetts, seize witnesses
manacle them, carry thsmIo Washington, i'm,
prison them, and compel them to give infortna>
tioa 10 thar COMMITTEE? Our people know no.
thing constitufonally or legally of the slave
insunection in Virginia, and they care less !;
or rather they know as Jefferson has told them,
that slavery is a perpetual war between the
masters and the slaves; that God has no st.
tribute that will permit him to take sides with
the OppressoT. In that war we cannot interfere,
although our sympathies and prayers are for
the weak, the oppressed. JOhn. Brown would
not 20 to Washington to save Mason and ev>
cry other STAKEHOLDER in Virgins from the stern
retributions which their conduct subjects them.
He knows, and every intelligent citizen
knows that the duties Of Senators are Legisla>
tire not Judicial, nor Executive. That the
constitution has given them no poioer TO issue
process, to imprison or arraign any man out
side their own body. TheJ have the sole
power 70 Try impeaehments but even in that
case they cannot compel the attendance of
witnesses except as prescribed By lao. But it is
said they have this implied power from neecssi-
IT, The people of this country deny that their
! Liberties are held subject to any implied au-
thority, or to this necessity which has ever been
the plea Of despots. - E, o.
What is this implied power? The Senate
answers, at is the power to compel witnesses
TO testify before this Harper's Ferry Commit
tee.D Now It must be true if they have power
to take the first step, the power must be com
mensurate with the object. II they may arrest
they may manaee, and if the witness refuses,
be may be imprisoned, if be still refuse, he
may be logged, or starved; if still obstinate he
may be subjecie to the thumb screws, put upon
the rsek'hi flesh torn with pinchers, bis bones
broken upon the wheel. The power must be
sufficient 20 attain the object Our courts are
restricted to fined and imDrisOaed," p they act
under prescribed laws but there can be no res
friction to HRdtfaed power. III
If this power extends to instructions in
Virginia. it may equally extend 70 slavery IN
all It's phases within that State. It NAV extend
to all crimes in that State, or any other State,
If it extend TO obtaining information on one
subject, Il must to all sUbjecs This fact was
realized by the author, while under eIamina-
before that committee, he was equired Of as to
his political opinions to explain of political
doctrinesl To define the connection between
the laws Of nature, and those Of human gov
leTnmenis. 3 . LGLAAAl
It is asked, why did the hortestify if not
liable to constraint His answer is, he Dc
sired to testify, to impart to that COMMITTEES
informatlon on all and every subject which they
desired. The Senate and House have ever
actrd in tins way, by anaRiuioas consent, and
Ia. H