The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-07-17
The "Irrepressible Conflict. y

no lIIcpIcSSlDie GUnulct.
Contrary to all expectations and pre-
dictions. Congress was but fairly organ
ized when the everlasting "nigger" ques.
tion was aourishing in that body with all
IT, pristine glory and importance. As
the country is now in the most terrible
crisis it has ever seen. it was thought by
some that the time of Congress at the
present extraordinary session would be
devoted entirely to the business for which
that body was assembled BY the procla-
nation Of the President.
Bat, already. that body has adopted a
resolution, "declaring that in the judges
nent of the house il is no part of the
duty Of soldiers of the United States to
capture or return fugitive slaves.
This, to q certain extent, IN spirlt, at
least. sspeah the fugitive slave law. If it
does not repeal the fugitive slave law, or
does not interfere with the constitutional
rights of some of our citizens, then it
means nothing.
The construction which the soldiers
win give to the resolution, will be, that
a1sy are p dssrsgard all rights of property
- slaves. If this is not the construction
Intended, why not have SO amended the
resolution, as was SO strenuously urged by
1r. Carlile, of Virginia, and set the ques.
fon, as to what was intended, at rest, and
rot leave holders of slaves, and some OF
them, too, loyal citizens, to entertain the
jiea that their right to this property is
not to be.respected by the troops2 The
adninistration has repeatedly asserted
that the loyal citizens of the South are to
be protected In all their rights. But i.
seems that the abolitionists have deter,
mined that there is one right that they
ere not "bound to respect" and in pur.
suance Of this idea, passed the resolution
- ono step in that direction.
As above stated there was an unsuccess
fnl attempt to amend the resolution before
its passage; and. also, the point Of order
Was raised that it conAicted with resolu.
tion already passed, prescribing the bust.
ness Of the house, which We give below
Ths Speaker overruIed the motion and or
appeal to the house his ruling was sustain.
Cd. Here is the rule adopted prescribing
The business of the house:
'sMr. Holmes, of Ind, presented q reso
lution which was adopted, declaring tha,
the House will. during the present extra
ordinary session, only consider bills ard
resolutions concerning military and nava
appropriations for the government anG
financial affairs connected Herewith, ant
al bills and resolutions of private char
sCter, and all other bills and resolution
not directly connected with the raising o
revenue and in relation to military ane
naval affairs, shall be referred without de
hate to appropriate committees to be con
sIdered ct the next regular session of Con
gress.
y the face Of the above resolution, Con
gress adopted the resolution prohibiting
the return Of fugitive slaves.
Another resolution was also offered, ant
failed to pass because, perhaps, Congress
would not consent 20 csnsure the Presi
dent. The following extract from th,
proceedings shows what we refer to-:
"Mr. Lovejoy, of Illinois, offered th
following resolutions:
5 /. Resofvsd That in the Judgment 0
this House it is % part of the duty of tn
soldiers Of the q. s. to capture or retur,
fugitive slaves.
2. That the Committee on Jndiciar,
b instructed to inquire into the expedi
ency Of repeating the law commonly callet
the Fugitive Slave Law.
3. Whereas. Major Emory, of the U
8. army, resigned his commission unde
circumstances showing sympathy with tn,
rebellion against the Government, there
fore resolved that his restoration to tt,
service was improper and uDjusti6able ant
This House in the name of the people, de