Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-02-02
Proceedings of Congress.

The Republicans held precisely the same
principles as were held by Jefferson and 9TH
ers; and whether they were right or not, they
could not blame them for holding these opin-
ions. The Democratic members had brought
in the Helper Book and the lrrepressible Con-
fiict Mr.. Corwin had received letter from
a constituent, asking for a copy of the Hell
per Book, but he had but one copy. and could
not send that, as he might be indicted as an
accessory after the fact, and the other proof
would be that he had nominated aud voted
for Mr.. Sherman. He would appeal to the
logic of the southern members. Mr.. Seward
had expressed the opinion that free and slave
llaahh3r were at variance, and On this declaTa-
ton John Brown had determined to 60 to
Harper's Ferry, and murder somebody.
Did they suppose that john Brown had
never read Jefferson's notes on Virginia,
Washington's letter expressing q wish that
slavery might be abolished, and the resolu-
tions of the Virginia Assembly, denouncing
slavery as a crime? Mr.. Sherman was de-
nounced because he had Recommended the
Helper Book. Tom Paine was indicted IN
England for pamphlet, Common Sense, and
was advised to 60 there and defend himself.
He declined, saying that the Indictment was
an advertisement, which would sell many
thousand cepies which proved true.
Mr. Corwin referred to the circumstances
under which Mr.. Sherman had signed the
recommendation for Helpers Book. He had
never seen the book, but was assured that it
was to be merely political pamphlet. Yetit
was declared that the election of Mr.. Sher-
man WAS to be the first step towards disunion
Mr. Corwin rebuked the spirit that would
sever the Union for so small causes. lie said
that the fathers of the Republic held the
same opinions as the Republicans /; that 1t
was better to exclude slavery from every Ter
ritory where white labor could go. This they
did under the old Confederation, and not on
ly with the consent of the South, but at their
urgent request He caused to be read the
organic act of Territory. passed in lz98 in
which slavery was excluded. He said that at
that time it was not disputed that Congress
had the power to exclude slavery. In 1908
the same doctrine was inculcated, and Mr.
Corwin referred to the speech of member
from Georgia at that period Mr.. Corwin
said that in all early discussions, 1t was ad
mitted that Congress had absolute control
over the Territories. lie would refer his Hi
nois friends. who maintained the plausible
doctrine OF squatter sovereignty, to the posi-
ton of the early founders of the Republic.
Mr.. Corwin referred to the law prohibiting
the importation of slaves into certain terrific
ry. Mr.. Corwin did not refer to these opin
ions of early statesmen to attempt to prove
that they were constitutional, but to show
that they were held by the founders of the Re-
public. He referred to the opinion of Mr.
Louis MeLane, one of the first statesmen of
the day, in regard to the admission of Mis-
souri,. 1t was held that Congress could give
all necessary laws TO Territory.
1t made no difference, Mr. Corwin contend
ed, whether the power was derived from the
clause of the Constitution giving Congress
the right to make all needful rules and regu-
lations for the territory, or from the power to
make war He referred to the remarks of
Mr.. Calhoun on the question of aboliShing
slavery in the District of Columbia. lie said
that he was in favor of the Missouri Compro
mise when it was first passed. Mr.. Corwin
read from "Benton's Thirty Years View" ("
showing that all the statesmen of that day
agreed to the constitutionality of the Missou-
ri Line. lie proved that all of Mr.. Monroe's
Cabinet were agreed to it. He said that if
the question were before Court, he thought
the jury would certainly give verdict that
all Mr.. Monroe's Cabinet were agreed to the
restriction of slavery. He eu!ogizsd the mem
bers of that Cabinet. and other statesmen
who held similar opinions. Did gentlemen
believe that these men were enemies of the
South? Did they think that Mr.. Monroe con-
templated disruption of the Union
Mr.. CoTwiR dill not believe that gentlemen
on the floor of Congress now understood it
very well. He said the celebrated letter of
St. Paul to the Romans had been a subject
of great deal of theological controversy.
Certain ones contended that all men were de-
clared by the Apostle to be predestined to
salvation Or damnation, while others declared
a contratry opinion. Would it not be fair to
take st. Pauls own declaration on the point?
lie said that God was no respecter of persons
and Mr.. Corwin believed it; thought the ques
tlon of white men or black men was not then
before him. Now, would it not be just as
fair to take the opinions of the trainers of the
Constitution as to the real doctrines of that
instrument. By the early fathers it was held
that Congress had the power to exclude sla
very, and they affirmed it on several occa
sions. Either these men violated the Consti
tuition they were sworn to support, knowingly
or they believed they had right thus to leg
isiate on the subject of slavery. Those who
framed the Constitution ought to know wha
they meant by it.
The new doctrine of non-intervention was
an absurd one; they might get boys and girl;
with them On that subject, but never n mar
as old as he, Mr.. Corwin,) who knew the his
tory of legislation on that subject He treat
ed of the powers of the Supreme Court
Matters were very differently conducted in
the Supreme Court and in Congress. HI
showed that the Supreme Court had decided
in favor of Congressional Intervention on tht
subject of slavery. In 1910 such decision
was rendered.
On Friday very pretty trick, worthy o.
southern ehivalry, was enacted, and came
near electing Speaker of the right STAMP
for fre-eaters, as the proceedings will show
| Mr.. Mallory, Of Kentucky, said his party
| yesterday voted for one of their own members
Mr.. VIM. n. III. Smith, of North Carolina
believing the use of his name would result il
the organization of the House. The gentle
| man on the other side had said they were vii