Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-12-06
CONGRESS.


dents Message was not ready for delivery
and the Senate adjourned after brief
session, while the House passed the after,
noon by listening to various resolutions,
most of which were IN relation to con.
6sticating the slaves as we'll as the Other
property of the rebels. 1t is early IN the
day to introduce the slavery question, bu,
it shows the feeling on the subject, and
it is evident the slavery issue is not going
to be coughed down or kept out of sight.
Mr. Elliot of Massachusetts, offered til.
following resolution
Resolved, by the House of Representa-
tatives of the United States:
LIST. That in behalf of the people Of
the these States we do again solemn.
ly declare that the war in which
we are now engaged. against the insur.
gent bodies now in arms against the gov.
eminent, has for its object the suppression
of such rebellion and the re-establishment
of the rightful authority of the national
Constitution and laws over the entire ex-
tent of our common country.
2nd. That while we disclaim all pow
er under the Constitution to interfere, by
ordinary legislation, with the institutions
of the several States, yet the war now ex.
listing must be conducted according to the
usages and rights of military service, and
that during its continuance the recognized
authority of the maxim that " the safety
of the State is the highest law subor-
dinates the right of property, and dom.
mates over civil relations.
3rd. That, therefore we do hereby dc.
clare, in our judgement, the President of
the United States, as commander n-chief
of our army, and the officers in command
under him, have the right to emancipatc
all persons held as slaves in any military
district in state of instruction against
the national government and that VIC
respectfully advise that such order of en-
ancipation be issued whenever the same
will avail to weaken the power of the reb-
els in arms, or to strengthen the military
power of the loyal forces.
Mr. Dunn of Indiana moved to lay the
resolutions on the table, but the motion
was disagreed to by-ycas 81 ; nays 70.
The question recurring on Mr.. Elliot's
resolution, Mr.. Roscoe Conkling, of New
York, proposed an amendment, which Mr.
Elliot accepted, so as to make the resolu-
ton apply to the slaves of disloyal citi-
zens.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsyl-
vania, the further consideration of the
resolution was postponed until Tuesday
week, in order that it may be discussed
and amendments submitted. He was in
favor of the main features of the propos-
ition but desired some modification.
Mr.. Campbell of Penn. gave notice that
he would call up the following on Tues
day week;
Resolved, That in lcgislating to meet
the exigencies of the present rebellion.
Congress should confscate the property,
slaves included, of all rebels, and protect
the rights and property, under the Con-
stitution and laws, of all loyal citizens.
Mr.. Stevens of Pennsylvania submitted
the following for future consideration:
WHEREAS, Slavery has caused the present
rebellion in the United States; and
J whereas, there can be no solid and per-
manent peace and union in this Re-
public so long as that institution exists
within it; and whereas, Slaves are now
used by the rebels as an essential means
of supporting and protracting the war
and whereas. by the law of nations ii
is right to liberate the slaves of an enc.
my to weaken his power therefore. BIO
{ it
Resolced by the Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of the United States, That
the President be requested to declare free
, and to direct all our generals and officers
$ in command to order freedom to all slaves
who shall leave their masters, and shall
| compensate all those who remain in sup'
r porting the Union for all the losses they
may sustain by virtue of this resolution,
or shall aid in ouellino the Rebellion.