Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-02-09
Perpeiuiiy of the American Union.
Speech of Col. p. Byrne,
Of Lueerne county, az Tie House Of
Representatives., nt H.orisbarg.

Mr.. SPEAKER, we have arrived at
strange times. A part of our Union is
now in open rebellion. Another part,
our sister States Of the border, yet re-.
main friendly. 1t will be recollecled that
sometime ago there was amongst us in the
North party whose spirit was eternal
hostility to the South. That party seems
to have been swallowed up but there is
before this House this evening conclusive
evidence that the sentiments of that abo-
lition party yet survive. Is this now a
time to cast frebrands around us--to tell
the South that they are asking of us to
bow in submission to them, and to eat
dirt at their bidding Is that the Ian
guage which should be held at this time
My opinion is that different position is
much the wiser and better. .H
propose to say few words in regard
to those portions of that act of 1860 which
it is proposed to repeal My friends from
Jefferson (Mr. Gordon) and Philadelphia
(Mr. Abbott) contend that there is moth
ing in any of those sections conflicting
with the Constitution. L consider parts
of those sections to be unconstitutional.
1 think they should be blotted out, and l
will give my reasons.
We have presented to us petitions from
thousands of citizens asking for their abb
rogation but we have not had a single
petition asking that they shall still be
retained upon our statute book. The
gentleman from Jefferson has declared
that in his portion of the country the peo.
pie are of opinion that the ninety fifth and
nincty-sixth sections should remain. In
regard to my county, I may say that, if
am rightly informed there are fifteen
thousand voters there who wish that por-
ton of those sections should be blotted out
of our statute book. have not spoken to
Republican or Democrat in Luzerne
who does not wish for their repeal.
Mr.. FRAZIER. I would like to ask
the gentleman question.
Mr.. BYRNE. I will answer short
one.
Mr.. FRAZIER I would like to ask
whether the gentleman did not vote for
this same Penal Code last year.
Mr.. BYRNE. 1 think not. I cannot
say whether did or not; l suppose not.
+ But it is argued that these portions ot
our law should not be repealed. What
reasons are given! 1t is said that be-
cause commissioners were appointed fully
conversant with the laws and who report
ed these sections, and because our Demo.
cratic Governor signed the bill, these
enactments should be retained. If thi.
argument prove anything, it proves toe
much. This Penal Code was submitted
to the Senate and the House and in botl
branches of the Legislature many parts o
this excellent compendium were changed
some struck out and others inserted. L
this Penal Code fell from the hands Of tn,
commissioners pure as the dew Of Heaver
falling on the rose, why did members o
the Legislature presume to change por'
tions of this already perfect work. As tc
the statement that this code received tn,
sanction of the Governor, let me remarl
that we do not always conform with thu
opinions of the Governor. Numerou
bills, as We all know, have received thu
disapproval of the Governor ; yet thi
House, not accepting his opinion, has, il
its wisdom, presumed to disregard his re-
Communications. Hence, say, that theS,
arguments prove too much.
At any rate, it is to be maintained that
because certain portions of our avs have
at some time received the approval Of Ger
tain authorities, they shall never be modi-
fed or repealed, as subsequent circum
stances may require! Have not the peo
pie spokenl Have not they called upoi
us to repeal these sections! If l under
stand the Inaugural of our present Gov
ernor, he calls for the repeal. The lat
Governor has called for it. Here thel
are strong and powerful reasons but Their
is yet another; the repeal would be
peace offering-such peace offering a
we should make to our sister States of tn,
South. What is there in these enactment
which imperatively demands that we shal
retain them on our statute books? VIII
ever heard of case in which a slave
owner attempted to arrest his fugitive in
riolous and tumultuous manner? Th
person who attempts to arrest fugitiv
slave comes armed with the warrant of tn
law, and is it to be presumed that he vii
exercise his authority in a riotous man
ner.
Suppose the gentleman from jefferson
(Mr ~ ord any bod ctalan fro,,, hin, /;