Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-05-22
THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.

THIRTY.SIXTH CONGRESS.
MONDAY, May 81.
SENATE.
Mr. Wilson's bill for the more effectual sup
preston of the slave trade, was referred to the
Judiciary committee, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. WILSON made lengthy remarks in op.
position to the African slave trade, and in sup
port Of the bill for its more effectual suppress
sion. He remarked, after abiding to the loath-
some and revolving aspects of the African
slave trade, that in this age, illumined by the
lights of christian civilization, this abhOrred
traffic fourishes in defiant mockery of the
laws, sentiments, and opinions OF the civilized
world. To America, he continued, belongs
the glory of having led the nations in their
effort to suppress this odious and polluted
traffic; but in this work of inhumanity, which
now stains and dishonors the age, American
citizens, lustng for gold though it be soiled by
blood and tears, are enacting the guilty deeds
which bring dshonor and shame upon the
American name. American avarice, in de-
fance of law, is now reviving, with renewed
vigor the traffic which is reminding anew on
the coast of Africa, the tierceness of savage
warfare, and adding new and tierCer passions
TO the contests of barbarians. American ships
chartered by American citizens, manned by
American seamen, furnished with instruments
forged by American artiZans, are lowering on
the African waters for human cargoes, or float
ing upon the seas freighted with cargoes of
despair with anguish, suffering, and death.
The American flag is prostltuted to cover this
loaths0me commerce by American citizens,
who should rather pour out their hearts blood
to save that flag from such pollution and
dishonor. American Christians in shameless
defiance of the moral sense of mankind and
the laws of the country grecdily clutch the
surviving victims Of this lawless and pratieal
traffic, and doom them in this christian land to
perpetual bondage. American juries, regard
less alike of the laws Of the country and their
own sworn obligations, refuse to indict or con
vict audaciOus pirates and telons engaged in
this work of hell, foul and dark. American
Jurists misconstrue misinterpret, and prevent
the SITES of the country to save the pirate
fror' a felon's doom, to keep the victim of his
crimes in perpetual Servitude, and to shield
t"e guilty purchaser Of that victim from the
Nost retributiOn of the violated laws OF his
country. American political economists camor
for reOpening the slave traffic, and American
politicians demand the modification, or repeal
of laws which brand the ave trade as piracy.
For these laws wound the refined and nice
sensibilities of chivalric gentlemen whose ar
dent souls hunger and thirst for the revival of
the traffic, the contemplation of which fills
their heated imaginationS with dazzling dreams
of commercial grandeur, supremacy, and
glory. American commercial conventions are
held, African labor associations are organized,
secret leagues are formed, and flhbuster ex-
pedtions in violation of the neutrality laws,
and Of the faith and honor of the nation, are
sent to seize the regions where markets may
be opened for the victims of this traffic.
American journals justify these deeds of pi-
racy and blood, these acts of shameless viola
ton of law, justice, and honor, which offend
the moral sense and defy the public opinion
of an enlightened age.
Mr.. WILSON then proceeded to show how
that the history of America bears ample evil
dence that the people of the United States
have always been hostile to the African slave
trade but, in spite of their well known and
oft-repeated sentiments and of various acts OF
legislation sanctioned by the general voice Of
the country, American merchants fit out in our
harbors slave ships, American seamen navigate
them, American citizens openly purchase and
hold in perpetual bondage the surviving vic
tins of the un1aowed trade, and the Amerl-
can flag, the banner of our pride, is made to
conceal and protect the wrong, violence, and
Hrime-the theft of living men, the foulness
and corruption of the steamng slave deck. lie
referred tG, the change wrought IN the sentl-
ments of at ieast a portion OF the people OF
fuSing to indict pirates and felons. Other cases
were mentioned to show that the federal au-
thorties are set at defiance and the laws tram
Piled under foot If, however, the American
people would manifest their sincerity now
questioned, if they would vindicate the nation
al character from the imputation OF connivance
at the violation of their acts for the suppress
sion of the slave trade, they must not only en-
force the existing laws, but enact such statutes
as the exigences of the occasion demand-to
carry more fully into effect the existing laws
against the slave trade, to fulfil our treaty
stpulations, to check the traffic now prosecu-
ted by our countrymen with renewed vigOr,
and to vindcate the furnished honor OF the
country, he had introduced this bill for the
more effectual suppression of the slave trade.
He then proceeded to explain the provisions in
his BILL with such proofs as were necessary to
sustain them
Mr. Davis territorial resolutions were taken
up, and Mr.. TOombS made Il long Speech con-
GLIDING by calling on his political friends to
put the stamp of disapproval on the doctrine
of squatter sovereignty. There was CLEAN
of light coming from Chicago. Action had
been devoured by his own dogs He called
on the democracy to unite against the common
foe, and, while vindicatng the southern seced-
ers at Charleston, urged them to return to
Baltimore, with view of uniting to beat the
republicans.
Mr. HAMMOND read brief legal argument
against squatter sovereignty
Mr. PUGH explained briefly that he should
vote for most of these resolutions
Mr. HALE could tell his northern democratic
friends that the southern wing always would
control the party. The great OBJECT of the
federal constitution was the establishment OF
an independent Judiciary. He charged that
the action of the democracy was to defeat the
action of the founders of the government in
this respect 1t had filed up the bench with
politicians, and worse than that, sought to
make the Supreme Court a sort of stakeholder
between the conten1ing factions of the party,
and he denied that the bred Scott decision
bound anybody on the political questions at is
sue. Adjourned
HOUSE.
The Speaker laid before the House a special
message from the president, similar to that
sent to the Senate on Saturday, relative to the
slave trade. Referred to the committee on the
judiciary.
A Joint resolution was passed, authorizing
the enlargement of u branch OF the Louisville
and Portland canal.
The Pacific railroad bill was made the
special order on and after Thursday.
fVho Uouco ,tndnr susnpnsiOn of the rules,