The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-19

i
Virginia Mr.. Millson to be disavowal of the
sentiments of the book about which SO much
had been said, and had so stated. If he had mis-
understood him, if that gentleman had intended
to cast any doubt upon the fact of such dis
avowal, then he Mr.. W certainly did not de-
sire to be bound by his statement.
Mr.. Etheridge, of Tennessee, was satisfied
that no good would arise from proceeding to a
ballot and therefore moved that the House ad-
journ; which was agreed to.
Accordingly, at ten minutes past O'Clock,
the House adjourned.
Friday, January Is, 1860.
The Senate was not in session.
House.
MIR. Smith, of Virginia, said there were two
propositions in the resolution offered by Mr..
Clark, of Missouri. First, that the doctrines of
the Helper book are insurrectionary and hostile
to the peace of the country. Was not this true,
to the very letter? He asked the question. The
next proposition was, that no member of this
House who endorsed or recommended the doc
trines and sentiments therein affirmed, is fit
to be the Speaker of this House. Was not this
also true to the letter? He wanted an answer.
| Mr.. Bingham said he wished only to say to
the gentleman, to the House, and to the coun-
try, that when the gentleman from Virginia de-
nounces that book, without limitation, as an in
cendiary production he denounces the last will
and testament of Washington, which is con-
tanned in that book. The resolution denounces
the unanimous declaration of the Convention of
Virginia in 1876. 1t denounces the memorable
words of the distinguished Gov. Mcdowell of
Virginia, uttered in the Legislature of that
State in 1882. 1t denounces the language of
| Thomas Jefferson, in his Notes on Virginia. 1t
denounces the words of the Continental Con-
gress, when about entering upon a seven years
war, wherein it was said, in the articles of as
sociation, by the members thereof, that they
held every man or community of men as enc
mics who were not opposed to the traffic in
slaves. 1t denounces the Declaration of indie
pendence.
Mr.. Smith replied, that he trusted the House
understood that the member from Ohio en-
dorsed the Helper book.
Mr.. Bingham. / ask the gentleman whether
he repudiates these sentiments.
Mr.. Smith. That is not the question.
Mr.. Bingham. 1t is not, hey?
Mr.. Smith. / wish the House and country
to understand that he endorses the Helper
book, and for this he deserved the detestation
and scorn of every man who forms part of the
American Union. Applause.] The gentleman
refers to the sentiments of distinguished revo-
lutionary men; many of them / do endorse
others are false in philosophy and unsound in
fact. But where / make bargain, stand by
it. The gentleman, however, makes bargain,
and then spurns it. If Thomas Jefferson enter
tanned certain notions on the question of sla-
very, what had that to do with the Federal Con-
stitution2 Did not the Convention which
framed the Constitution adjust that question
Mr.. Bingham No. the word slavery was
expunged from the document
Mr.. Smith pointed to the clauses in the Con
stitution relating to slavery, and the rendition
Of fugitive slaves, and asked the gentleman
from Ohio why he did not respond in O some
what peremptory tone.
Mr.. Bingham. want the gentleman to know
am not his slave.
Mr.. Smith. If you were, would make you
behave better than you do now. You would get
what you need. Laughter.
Mr.. Bingham. Will you let me answer in my
own way, or will you direct me what to say?
Mr.. Smith. / will direct you to take your
seat till get through.
Mr.. Bingham. l regret to find the gentle
man is SO i'll hammered.
Mr.. Mcknight, of Pennsylvania said to Mr.
Smith, he had not read the Helper book, mol
should he do so until ten years hence, to see wha
occasoned the present tempest in a teapot.
Mr.. Smith thought it the gentleman's duty tC
read the book, to enlighten himself.
Mr.. Davidson, of Louisiana, rose to a ques
ton Of privilege. He sent to the Clerks desk
to be read, several newspapers published in his
State, containing comments upon his course
in voting for Mr.. Maynard, and made some re
marks thereon, defending his vote.
Messrs. Taylor and Bouligny, of the same
State, made some remarks on the same subject
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, said he also
rose to question of privilege. He had OF
one occasion broken over the party lines, and
voted for Mr.. Gilmer, and this act had beer
commented npon by a newspaper in his dis
trict, which he sent to the Clerks desk, and
desired that the article be read.
The Clerk, on receiving the paper, paused
and looked puzzled, and finally announced his
inability to read it, as it was printed in German
Mr.. Stevens (amid roars of laughter) said
then I will not make any remarks upon it."
Mr.. Hatton, of Tennessee, spoke at length
on the subject Of the organization of the House
and argued that it was the duty of the Demo
crats.to vote for Mr.. Gilmer, as the only prac
ticable mode of bringing the contest to an end
! Mr.. Pennington, of New Jersey, spoke upor
the subject of the organization, and offered q
resolution that the House proceed to take two
more ballots, and in case no election results
proceed to another ballot Monday at one
o'clock, when the person receiving the highest
number of votes shall be declared duly elected
This resolution was violently opposed by
sundry members on the Democratic side, who
pronounced it out of order, and declared tina
no vote should be taken upon it.
Without coming to a vote on any proposition
the House adjourned to Monday next
Monday, January l6, 1860.