Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-01-05

some individual whose name had not been con-
nected with this contest, and against whom
there could have been no serious objection.
He wanted to act in good faith
Mr.. STEVENS asked Mr.. Houston whether,
at the same time, he wanted to elect Clerk.
Mr.. HoUsToN replied, that that was not ne
cessary. The present Clerk acts well till his
successor is appointed. Gentlemen do not
want to pay the contractors. They want to
keep up the outside pressure
Mr. SrEvENs-The gentleman must know,
that by the constitution no bill can be present
ed nor resolution adopted till Speaker and
Clerk are elected.
Mr.. HousToN-The gentleman cannot es-
cape in that way. 1t was mere subterfuge.
The Clerk can remain till his successor is
elected.
Mr. REAGAN of Texas spoke of the Repub-
lican partys principles as revolutionary in
their character, and calculated to promote sec
tional hostility, and subvert the constitution.
They held that the constitution is a league
with hell and covenant with death.
Mr.. BINGHAM of Michigan, asked Mr.. Rea-
gan whether he would name any Republican
who holds such sentiments.
Mr. Reagan said such was the view enter
tanned by extreme men engaged crusade
against slavery. He knew it had been denied
that it was the purpose of the Republicans to
interfere with slavery in the states, but there
was proof to show that such was their irten-
ton. They violate the constitution which
they are sworn to support, when they place
Instructions in the way of the rendition of fu
gitive slaves.
Mr.. CURTIS of Iowa said that Mt. Reagan
aswell as Mr.. Boyce yesterday reported that
northern states had passed laws contravening
the constitutionality of the clause requiring the
rendition of slaves. He did not admit that
any northern state had passed laws for this
purpose, but to prevent the violation of that
very clause which requires the rendition Of tu-
gitives from the southern states. They have
passed laws securing personal liberty. They
adhere to the great privilege of our ancestors.
The habeas corpus is dear to them, because
it secures the rights of even the poor down
trodden class. He repeated that the habeas
corpus prevented the violation of the cOnstitu
ton.
MIR. REAGAN apprehended it was not the
common habeaS corpus act that is brought to
bear on the freemen who are fugitives from
justice, but the action of these northern states
amounts to total denial of the masters right
to his slaves, and that the master is in person
al danger i'll seeking the recovery of his prop
erty.
Mr.. CURTIS said the law is often violated
by men who came into the northern states, as
well as by those of the southern states.
Mr.. REAGAN said the responsibility rests on
the assumption that the law is not executed in
the slave states in favor of the slaves. He be-
lieved negro entitled to liberty should be
vindicated with as much certainty of success
to the slave as the free states He had never
known case where a negro was entitled to
liberty but who obtained it.
Mr.. COBB of Alabama remarked that two
white persons stole two free black children in
f,,., oil
them. They were pursued, taken back, and
having been found guilty, are now in the pen
itentiary of Alabama.
Mr.. CURTIS, in the course of his reply, in
formed the gentlemen from Texas that the
people of the North do not make war upon
slavery where it exists.
Mn. REAGAN said he scorped sectional agi-
tation, everywhere. He mover advocated in
Texas principles which he would not advance
in every state and township in the United
States. As a Democrat, he make it a point
to rebuke sectionalism at home, and he fought
the enemies of the Union and the constitution
here.
Mr.. CoLFAx said as one case in Indiana had
been referred to he would state the facts. A
party at the south went at midnight into a
cabin in Cass county, Michigan, and without
certificate or any other legal authority, took,
tied, and carried off several black persons,
claiming them as slaves, taking them from
Michigan TO Indiana, and still without any
warrant. They were stopped at South Band,
| and instead ofbeing let loose as had been gener-
ally charged, they were taken before Judge
of unimpeachable integrity, TO test the ques-
ton whether they we're held according TO law.
He decided that they were not; and in an at
tempt to arrest them legally, an excitement,
very natural under the circumstances rose,
and the negroes escaped. Although the feder-
al courts rendered judgement against the de-
PENDANTS for the value of their slaves he be-
lieved that the attempt being to test the legal
| ity of the f0rcihle capture in the court they
would be acquitted at the bar of God.
Mr.. DAWES, in reply to Mr. Reagan, said
the gentleman was mistaken, if he believed
| the Republican party had sent an attorney to
the penitentiary for appearing in behalf of a
claimant under the fugitive slave law. There
was law for striking an attorney name from
the roll of the courts under such circum-
stances, and this was brought as charge
| against the Republican party. The law was
passed by legislature with not Republican
in it. And the first time the Republicans got
the governor and majority of the legislature,
| they repealed it. Ever since the fugitive slave
law was passed, Massachusetts has endeavored
| by legislation, to secure to every man his
rights whatever his color, class, or condition.
whether freemen or slaves and she will con-
tinue to do SO.
Mr.. REAGAN inquired whether negroes in
Massachusetts have more rights than white
men.
Mr. DAwEs-No more, no less. Every man
who claims freedom has right to the writ of
habeas corpus, under the laws; and any man
who charges the republican party with any
thing beyond that does not understand the
facts of the case.
Mr.. HILL asked what had become of the
American party in Massachusetts.
Mr.. DAwEs-The American party was
made up, about half from the Democrats and
half from the Wings. The latter had gone
with the Republican party, and the former had
| returned to their original first love- Laugh
! ter
Mr.. HILL-And what has become of Gov
Banks, who was originally Democrat
Mr.. DAwEs-Gov. Banks thought better of
himself and the country and joined the Repub-
licans. He and Gov. Boutwell,, like others in
Massachusetts, are like brands plucked from
the burning. (Laughter.)
| MR.. HILL saw gentlemen to-day whom he
| had met in American days. and they had de-
cared that they would control the American
party Or destroy it. AS for himselfhe wanted
a conservative party to give the land peace,
and asked the Republicans to "haul down
their black flag" and unite with such party.
Mr.. Cox called Mr. Hills attention to the
Massachusetts "two years amendment" in re-
gard to alien suffrage, which makes it posi-
tive advantage to be white man there.
(Laughter.) While negro becomes citizen
in six months, white man from abroad must
serve a probation OF two years after being nat
uralized, and must be dipped in nitrate of sill
yer before he can be on all equality with black
man.
Mr.. HILL had no objection to the proba-
ton; he never expected to go to Massachu-
sets