The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-13
IMPORTANT PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS.
THIRTY-sIxTH CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.

THIRTY-sIxTH CONGRESS-.
SECOND SESSION.
Senate.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL, 1851.
Mr.. WADE, (rep) Of Ohio, presented petitions asking
Congress to stand firm by the constitution and Union
Mr. DIXON, (rep) Of Penn, presented petitions from
the citizens Of Connecticut in favor Of the Cttcndon
solutions
Mr.. WILKINSON, (rep) Of MINI presented joint roso-
luton from the State OF Minnesota Ordered 10 be print
ed.
Mr.. CRnTFrpES, (opp) Of KY, presented petition,
signed by % go citizens Of Massachusetts,, in favor OF
the Crttendcn resolutions He said he honored such peo
pe and felt cheered by such voice from Massachusetts
II showed them devoted to the Union, for which their
ancestors fought.
SPEECH or CRISIS.
Mr. SUMMER, (rep) Of Mass, said-These petitions ask,
understand It, for the passage of what is fmilary
known the Cttendcn propositions Their best apology
for this petition their ignorance Of tho character Of
those propositions. Had they known what they
they would have put their to that petition
Those resolutas 90 beyond the Breckinrdgo PLATFORM
which has already been solemny condemned by tho
American people They foist into tho constitution OF tho
United states constitutional guarantees OF slavery which
the Trainers Of that instrument gtve-whch
Washington, Jeerson Franklin Patrick Henry and John
Jay, we may credit the testimony of their lives and
opinionswoud have scorned. Had any such proposition
been made the condition OF unon this Union could
have been formed. Mr. Madison told In the Conven
ton that IL wrong to attempt to put in the
stuton the idea OF property In man. but these pro
pistioos propose to interpoate that idea, and,
practically carrying ont they run black
line the latitude Of SO degrees 80 minutes, and give
constitutional protection to slavery in all the territory
south OF that line now belonging TO the republics and to
make the still oppressive, and stil more i'm
possible TO be received at the Norh they make 1t ap
picabe to all the territory hereafter to be acquired
that the dag of the republic as moves southward,
shall always be the flag of slavery and future
QUESTION in that direction shall be Airicanzed and that
by virtue Of the constitution Of the United States That
is about enough in ths age of civilization. But that
is not all st further they insist upon guarantees TO
slavery in the national capital, and in other places
within the federal JURISDICTION Nor is this all AS
" to make especially offensive to the people Of the
propose 10 despoil our colored fellow citizens Of
their political franchise long time secured to them
BY the institutions q that honored Commonwealth
Sir, it ia for these things that these petitioners
pray They insist they shall be intcrPolated IN the
constitution Of the upited States ! have an in
finite respect for tho right OF petition, and desire
always 10 promote the interests and carry forward
the just and proper desires Of my fellow citizens But
must express my regre, that these gentlemen have missed
the opportunity aiter uniting IN such nnbers Of calling
plainly and unequvocsly savers Of the Union OF their
fathers, for two thngtwo things all sufficient for tho
present occasion, AMI with regard TO which should
pect The sympahies OF the honorable Senator from Ken
lucky First, the constitution Of the United States
administered by George Washington, To be preserved in
tact and blameless lis toxt without any tnkering
patching. And secondly, tho verdict Of the people
last November BY which Abraham lncoln was electei
President OF the United States TO be enforced without
| price tailoring. There Ia ground upon which
every patriot and loyal citizen Of the land stand,
and he has him thsn the constitution and tho ag
his country. You had better have that, than
any scheme device, Juggery, or hccas pocs cllIc
compromise. On such ground all mon who really love
the Union and the country take their stand without
ssif.i but remember, sir, tho night OF
the passaga OF the Nebraska D II after midnlht
made the declaration debate that The foe
promses had passed. The events taking place all
verify this truth II is obvious that the existing din
ties be arrar ged only permanent prin-
cipes of justice, and freedom, aud humanity. Any
seeming settlement founded upon abandonment Of
principle will be but miser able patchwork which can
not succeed. II only short time ago, you will
remember sir, tho whole country 1llod with shame
and ismay as the report came 10 us OF the surrender OF
Southern forts and when known that Fort sumter
too about 10 be gwen np, vent forth from tho
heart of the people, by which that fortress saved
at least for the present Propositions made and
brought by the Senator from Kentucky aud
enforced by petition frou the people OF my state,
calling upon the North to surrender its prncplcsto
surrender its inpregnablc principles OF human rights
which constitute Northern forts. II Is proposed
torcs-the Fort sumter of the North thrust, they
will yet be saved aud their safety depends upon the
President uust that the cry viii 90 forth from the
people like thai which went forth from them fc~ days
ago that other Fort Sumter when II naced
For myself, II stand with many with few, alone,
have but ono thing TO sayno surrender Of tho Fort
sumter OF the Northno surrender OF any OF North
forts. No, sir not one. But the bankers and mer
chants throw out their fears they tell us the govern
ment shall not have money II We do not surrender
principles. Then again, SIT, appeal TO the people
believe the American people are not more unpatrotic
i show ito forward and relieve the
| c+sstss OF the government, ns the French poo
/ pie recently. at the hint Of Louis Napolcon
/ camc forward with n loan composed OF small sums
government stands upon the aggregate virtue and
intelligence Of tho people and only remains that
wo should make appeal to the aggregate wealth OF
the people--the farmer, the laborer the mechanic
Every who truly loves his country will be willing 10
give Of bs earnings uphold the constitution and the
national flag and out Of these small earnings inspired by
| genuine patriotism, we shall have full treasury.
There is but one thing now for the North to do
Il Arxa In tafr IEnu h.a
guided by o the greatest patriots of the age mean
Iaayete) who, in his old age, when his experience had
been ripened by time. and while looking tho unut-
terabe caamtts of the Old French Revolution said IL
his solemn duty declare that in his opinion they
70 be referred not TO the bad passions OF men, but
those tmid that sought TO substitute compro
mise for principle" lafayette may woll speak TO HIS
American fellow citizens now, TO caution them against
tmid counscs that would substitute compromise for
4 principles.
Mr. CRr1rSpIS said he supposed the sgnUs OF tho pc
/ tition were intelligent men. When he presented tho
propositions he presented them basis Of peace; but
why had not gentlemen offered 10 amend2
Mr.. SUMNER said ho thought them wrong In every word
and every line.
Ne. CRfrnSDES--Had tho gentleman propositions TO
maker
Mr. SUMNER said he had-tho constitution as admins
tered by Washington and fathers.
Mr.. CRnUsDEN-why did not he move that theu9
Mr. SUMNER said he had voted for tho resolutions OF the
Senator from New Hampshire, which expressed his idea
The President announced that the hour for the special
order had arrived.
A motion made TO postpone IT,
Mr.. HALE, trep.) of n. hoped not, he thought
the time for the practical business Of tho country should
be attended TO- Ho wanted tho ayes and TO know
who the that here ~ make speeches that
do possible good ON Garth.
Mr.. D,UGs, (opp.) OF Ill.-If tho Senator IL much
opposed speech making he hoped that no would stop
and let them vote. (taughter.)
Mr. HALF viii say that this Is tho best speech
heard from the Senator from Illinois mr. Dougas), be-
cause II was 40 short. Qaughter.)
Mr.. TRraHuIL rop Of H., said II this discussion Is
go he thought would DO better to let both sides
chance. He had sat hero and heard the trouble
charged on the republican party. He wanted the re-
spoDsbiity placed where belongson tho corruption
and imbclity rrcsoution, II he might say tho
pclty with treason itself tho part of prodigs,e
power.
The special order then pos,poned-ycas %,
nays n.
Mr. CHnTHyDC continued He appealed TO Senator's
not ~ stand by platforms and let the Union perish Ho
said were pledged 10 stand by and preserve the Union
But all compromise seemed to be rejected Hc believed
that hoy must do something the country could not be
saved Ie wished 70 practice every forcbearanco hc
could, but why do men here and talk Of business
when the Union Is in danger2
M. SUMNER said that the Senator from Kentucky (Mr.
Gueudon) was not aware of hs popularitg in Mas
sacnusctts and the willingness Of the people 10 adopt
thing bearing h5 name, which % respect.