The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-01-10
THE DEBATES I'm CONGRESS-.

in his remarks, said the Democrats had endorsed
book called Black Diamonds, which advocated
the re-opeung of the African slave trade, and ar
infracton and violation of the laws of the United
States, for that purpose. He asked whether th
, was the sentiment of the Democratic party
Mr. Cobb, of Ala, Democrat, said he utterly
deprecated the re-opening of the slave trade. Now
he would ask, does the gentleman endorse Helper.
book
Mr. Farnsworth wanted to ask Mr. Miles tha
question.
MIR Miles, of S. c. replied that he heartily, ut
terly, and from the bottom of his heart, 6epre
Gated the violation of any law. [Applause.] Hc
recognized the higher law of sentiment and honor
which compelled him to obey the Constitution.
Mr. Farnsworth asked the gentleman whether
he was in favor of the repeal of the laws agains
the slave trade?
| Dir Miles replied that he was not prepared tc
say that he would not be in favor, at some future
time, of re-opening the trade. He believed it was
useless to discuss the question No man believed
that in the present Union the slave trade could be
| re opened.
MIR Reagan, of Texas, remarked that he was
against re- opening the slave trade in out of the
Union. Do you endorse Helpers book ? Answer
| like man.
Mr. Stanton, black Republican, utterly denied
for his party that they endorsed anything what
/
utterly abhorred and detested it.
Mr. Bonham of S. c., regarded the act of 1920,
which stigmatized slavery as piracy, blot on
the statute book. As for the law OF 1919, he was
not prepared to say that was unconstitutional.
There was no considerable part of the South or
the Democratic party who agltated the question.
He said that the re-openlng OF the African slave
trade could never be effected in the Confederacy.
Mr Farnsworth wanted to know whether Mr.
Ron bop hn in tba sGR
Diamonds for revival of the African slave trade
by law?
hr McRae, of Miss, having been similarly in
terrogated, said that, individually he in favor
OF reopening the trade but this was not the senti-
ment of the democratic party in Mississippi.
Mr. Farnsworth said that he did not believe that
the National Democrats could be charged with ad-
vocating the re-opening OF the African slave trade
any more than the Republicans endorsed the acts
of John Brown. He said he did not endorse that
part of the Helper book which advised insurrec-
ton and arraying slaves against their masters
Mr. Lamar poured some hot shot into Seward
and declared himself against the re-opening of the
slave trade.
Mr. Farnsworth, resuming, said that while he
would resist the fugitive slave law by force OF
arms, he would not help to catch fugitive negroes.
He would leave that dirty work for the Demo
Gratis.
had sworn to support the Constitution, and any
man failing to carry out his oath was a traitor
(Applause]
Mr. Farnsworth spoke for two hours and half
in defence of the Republican party.
Mr. English, of Indiana, caused to be read an
extract from the Chicago Democrat, to show that
Notwithstanding Farnsworths denial that there
was not man in Chicago whosympathized with
Browns raid, Brown sympathetic meeting was
held in Chicago.
Mr. Foulke proceeded to reply to Mr. Farms
worth; and in conclusion referred to conversation
between Gov. Seward of New York, and Governor
Smith of Virginia, n 1917 or 1913, as reported in
the Congressional Globe, in which the former had
preference for negroes foreigners,
Mr. VIM. Smith, of Virginia, narrated the con-
versation as well as he could remember it. The |
substance of it was that while he was Governor of
Virginia, he sitting in the council chamber one
day, when stranger entered and announced him.
self as MIR Seward OF New York A conversation |
ensued, in the course of which Mr. Seward remark
ed that they going to allow all to vote in |
New York, negroes we'll as whites MI Smith |
replied that if they had objection to free negroes
in New York, they would send them certain
number from every packet from Virginia. Mr.
Seward said he had objection to that they
would receive them with pleasure. They hao |
much trouble with Irishmen and the Irish vote
A good deal Of money had to be raised at election
time to secure them; aud the rascals would take
their money and then vote against them; but they
had no such trouble with the colored people. Mr.
Smith told him he would be happy to receive an
equal number of honest-hearted Germans or Irish
men for all the negroes that were sent to New
York.
When Mr. Foulke had concluded his remarks,
MIR Farnsworth made short reply to some of the
points raised.
Mr VIM. Smith of Virginia, then took the floor
and spoke at some length in regard 10 the issues
before the House, alludingto the recent raid of
John Brown and the Helper pamphlet. lie asked
whether the House would place murderer or
thief in the Speakers chair.
Mr. Sherman rose and asked whether the gentle
man intended to apply that remark to him.
Mr. Smith said he merely giving an illus
ration.
Mr Curtis, Republican, called Mr. Smith to or
ler-saying such remarks were unworthy Of any
member, impeaching, as they did, the honor of
gentlemen OF this House. He asked the gentle
men to recall his remarks. Mr. Smith replied that
when he had anything to recall he would do SO
without being asked. LApplause.] That was his
way. If gentlemen would keep cool they would
fare better by it. He was putting the question
nome He charged nobody with being murderer
or robber; but he did charge that when they came
here they found sIxty-eight members of the last
of whom now here-endor-
ing what he had right to believe just as bad.
lamnable and offensive. He was showing that it
vas not in the heart and patriotism of the House
% elect to the Speakership man who did not dis
.le;po Marere Eurfic and Stanton Hid he :r-r. |