Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-01-05

Several petitions were presented, and pri-
vate bills introduced and refused.
Mr., Powell introduced bill to abolish the
franking privilege, referring to the Commit
tee on Post Offices and Post Roads.
Mr.. Homphill presented the credentials of
L. L. Wigfall as senator from Texas, and he
was duly sworn.
On motion of Mr.. Mason, resolution
was adopted, that the Senate hereafter meet
at o clock till the House is organized
! Mason SAID that the word "servie' which
he had applied to States where slavery did
not exist, was yesterday criticized by tho
Senator from Wisconsin. He used the ex-
preston deliberately and thought it drew
the true distinction between States where
slavery did exist, and those where there
were no slaves. In common parlance the
States were called free and slave and those
amongst whom he lived had never taken
offence at the signature. He did not sec
how exception could be taken. lie might
have referred to the democratic party in the
free States, to whom, perhaps, the term
might be sometimes applied.
| Mr.. Harlan discussed the Presidents 9
Message the Slavery question and the pow
er of Congress over the Territories at great
length, He (Harlan) said he was surprised
at the position taken by the Senator from
Ohio that the ordinance of 1887 was
binding compact between the States and
could not be repealed.
Mr.. Pugh said the Senator misunderstood
him. He said the States were equally rep
resented, and the States ceded land to Com
gress.
Mr. Harlan-The Representatives had
no power to make compact. As an act of
legislation it was useless.
Mr. Pugh-lt was not as an act of legis-
lation, but as compact; it required votes
for an act Of confederation not a compact
MIR Trumbull denied that it required 9
votes for an ordinance
Harlan resumed, and argued that the Re,
publican poll cy was in fact to give the ter
ritories TO the white men of the United
States. He read from the scientific works
of Agassiz and others, to show that it was
untrue that none but the black race cou Id
in tropical climates, In the course Of his
remarks, he said that if man held slaves
for gain he loathed him. but if he held them
with desire of beneftting them, he did not
hate him.
Foster followed and said the republicans
were not obnoxious to the charge Of slavery
agitation for the question was introduced in
tne Eesiuents nesehgei anu upon tne moor
by gentlemen of the other side.
He did not intend to discuss that subject
but would consider that branch Of the mes
sage referring to our Mexican relations. He
differed entirely with the President as to
the course he proposed to pursue. He did
not dispute that great outrages had been
Iperpetrated on American citizens in Mexico
and they ought to be redressed but he
thought this an unfortunate time to under
take to redress our wrongs when in our
own country, and in the l3 original States
Americans were suffering wrongs not dis
similar, equally atrocious, and equally call
ing for redress.
He referred also to the offers made in
Southern papers of money for the heads OF
members Of this body. He thought that
even if the Presidents recommendations
were acceded to, il was doubtful whether
the Government would last long enough to
enable him to get an army there, as threats
were made from the other side to dissolve
the Union when a Republican President is
elected.
The Senate then went into execu tive ses'
sion and afterwards adjourned.