Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-01-26
DEBATES I'm CONGRESS.
Let the North Read.
u. S, CAPITOL, WAsHrNGroE, Jan. IL.
--ss SENATE.

49, ~ - 6s
A communication was received from
the Secretary of the Treasury, in reply to
a resolution of the Senate calling for in
formation as TO the unexpendcd balance Of
the amount appropriated under the treaty
of Guadalupe Hidalgo to pay the claims
of American citizens. The balance is sta
ted at something over $2ll,000. Order
ed to be printed.
Nj. Davis, Of Mississippi, introduced a
bill for the better organization of the army.
Referred.
Mr.. Wilson, of Massachusetts,, presented
q petition from Sampson & Tappan, and
several merchants of Boston, respecting
the drawback to be allowed on Manila cord
age.
Mr.. Sumner, of Massachusetts,, present.
ed petition in favor of the homestead
bill.
He also introduced resolution calling
upon the President to communicate in
formation relative to the outrage on Amer
ican citizens at Perugia, in the Pontfcal
States, and what measures had been adopt
ed TO procure redress. Adopted.
Mr.. Chesnut, of South Carolina, pre-
sented memorials from South Carolina,
asking for the reimbursement Of money ex-
pended during :he Revolutionary and Mex
ican wars. Referred.
Mr.. Slidell, Of Louisiana, moved that
when the Senate adjourned, it adjourned
to meet on Monday next.
Mr.. Sebastion, of Arkansas, introduced
resolution TO supply the Choctaw and
Cherokee Indians with such laws and Jour-
mails rs are furnished to the States and Ter
ritories. The resolution lies over, under
the rules.
Mr.. Pugh's resolutions we're then taken
up.
Mr.. Psgis, Of Ohio, resumed bis remarks.
He explained the meaning of the Kansas
Nebraska bill, which he regarded as sur
render of the power of Congress over the
Territories. He denied that the Dred
Scott decision was sasceptable of the Pres
idents Interpretation. The President SEEM
ed to think that the frequent assertion of
the same thing is finally to be accepted as
fact. 1t might be accepted by placemeo
and personal admirers, but the claim that
there was any vested right 10 hold slaves
in the Territories by virtue of that decision
is not sustained BY facts. He reviewed
the Dred Scott decision at length.
Having read an abstract of the Dred
Scott case, be denied that the Supreme
Court had therein settled the question of
slave properly in the Territories. Con-
gress could not make laws to violate tue
Constitution.
Mr.. Green, of Missouri, said that he had
distinctly stated that the question did not
arise before the court whether Territory
could prohibit slavery by its own powers,
but the question was whether Congress
could prohibit slavery 10 the Territories
On that the Court gare an opinion, and de-
cided that Territory could not exercise
any power beyond that of Congress.
Mr.. PugL read Judge Catron's dissenting
opinion. and in the course of his remarks
denied that to legisla,e rested in the Gov.
ernor and judges of the Territory.
Mr.. Green caused portion of the
speech Of Mr.. Douglas to be read, in which
be admitted that such legislation had been
exercised.
Mr.. Pugh objected to bringing in third
parties. The policy of the Government
towards the Territories had been more lib
eral as The sutjset was discussed. He de-
nouncsd the ordinance of 1887 as tyran.
nicsl and odioas. rs ii imposed property
qualification on voters. He further de-
MED that the Freeport speech of Nj. Doug
lss, the first enunciation Of the doctrine of
popular sovereignty. 1t had been assert
ed when he first came here by gentleman
now in Mr.. Buchanan's Cabinet. Mr..
Pugh then read from speech made in
Portland, in which it was admitted, in re-
ply to charge that the South wanted to
force slavery into the Territories, that a
Territorial Legislature, BY falling to pass
protecting laws, might virtually exclude
slavery.
Mr.. Davis denied that the speech was
susceptible of such construction.
Mr.. Pugh-I don't know whether you
have revised your speech or not.