Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-01-19
Congressional
W,surNerox Ian. la.

iourned till Monday.
Il HeUsE.-Mr. Smith, of Virginia, said
there were two propositions in the resolu-
ton of Mr.. Clark, of Missun: First, that
| The doctrines of the Helper book are insur-
ractionary and hostile to the peace of the
country. Was this not true to the very
letter? He asked the question. The next
Was, that no member of this House who
endorsed or recommended the doctrines
therein affirmed, is fit to be Speaker of this
House. Was not this also true to the let
ter! He wanted an answer. - - - a
Mr.. Bingham, of Ohio, wished only to
say to the gentleman, the House and the
country, that the gentleman, from Virginia
denounces that book, without limitation,
as an incendiary publication. He denoun-
ces the last will and testament of Washing
ton, which is contained in that book. The
resolution denounces the unanimous decla-
rations of the Convention of Virginia of
1884, instructing the Congress at Philadel
phia in that year. The resolution denoun-
ces all the truthful words ofthe distinguish
ed Virginian, Mcdowell, namely: "Yon
yoke your slave to labor as an OK, you may
compel him to live to work, and work TO
live, and yet the idea that he was created
free will abide with him, because he has
the right TO the hope of Immortality"
The resolution denounces the living senti-
ment of Jefferson, copied from his "Notes
on Virginia" namely: 81 tremble for my
country when l reflect that God is just,
and has no attribute 10 take sides against
slaves for their rights and liberty" The
gentleman from Virginia should also re-
member that the denunciation in the reso-
luton is denunciation of The words of the
Continental Congress, when about enter
ing upon the seven-years war, wherein it
was said in the Articles of Association by
the members thereof, that they held every
man or community Of men as enemies of
American liberty who were not opposed
to the traffic in slaves. The resolution al
so denounces that part of the Declaration
of Independence which holds these truths
TO be self-evident. "that all men were ere-
ated equal, and endowed with certain in
alienable rights, among which are life, ib-
erty, and the pursuit of happiness" ETC.,
and that "when any form of government
becomes destructive of any Of these ends,
it is the right of the people to alter or abol-
ish it." The word abolish is embodied in
this memorable declaration, for which your
father Ito Mr.. Smith) and my father fought,
through the storm and darkness of the sew
en-years war.
Mr.. Smith replied that be trusted the
House understood that the member from
Ohio endorses the Helper book.
Mr.. Bingham.-I ask the gentleman
whether be repudiates those sentiments.
Mr.. Smith.-That is not the question.
Mr.. Bingham.-It is not Ell?
Mr.. Smith, wish the House and coun-
try to understand that the member from
Ohio endorses the Helper book. For this
he deserves the detestation and scorn of
every man who forms part of American
Union! [Applause. The gentleman re-
fers to the sentiments of distinguished Rev
olutionary men. Many of them l do en-
dorse, while others are false in philosophy
and false in fact. But when make bar
gain stand by it, The gentleman, how
ever, makes bargain, then spurns it. If
Jefferson entertained certain notions on
slavery, what had that TO do with the Fed
eral Constitution? Did not the Conyen-
ton which framed the Constitution adjust
that question:? Is not this the fact?
NJ. Bingham.-It did no such thing
They expuaged the word slavery from the
document.
Mr.. Smith responded, pointing 10 the
various clauses in the Constitution to show
the slavery compromises therein. Why
does not the member from Ohio respond
Mr., Bingham,-I want the gentleman
to know l am not his slave.
Mr.. Smith.-No; if you were, you would
do better than you do now You would
get what you need. Laughter.
Mr.. Bingham.-Will you let me answer
in my own manner, or will direct me what
to say?
Mr.. Smith, direct you to take your
seat!-
Mr.. Bingham.-I regret the gentleman
is so ill-mannerly.
Mr. Mcknight, of Pennsylvania, asked
the gentleman from Virginia how he was
to know the doctrines of the Helper book
He had never read it. He had seen it on
ly in the hands of the gentlemen on the
Democratic side, and with none of The con-
tents was he familiar, except from the ex-
tracts which had been read. Did the gen
deman from Virginia expect him or the
members with which he acted to stultify
themselves by disavowing a book of which
they knew nothing? There might be
things in the book he utterly condemned.
He repeated that he never read the book,
and there was no power that could compel
him to read it. He might, however, do so
ten years from this time, to see what caus-
ed the present "tempest in a teapot"
Mr.. Smith-It was the duty of the gen
tleman to enlighten himself.
Mr. McKnight.-IfI l thought it pertinent
to legislation l would read it, but as l don't
think it is, I'll not do so.
Mr.. Smith thought differently, and con-
cluded his remarks in support of the reso-
luton.
Messrs. Clark, of Missouri, Davidson, of
Louisiana, Taylor, of Louisiana, Bouligny,
of Louisiana, serverally explained why they
voted for Mr.. Maynard.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, rose in an