Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-08-08
HR. BRECKENRIDGE ON TIE BILL OF ABoNINA
TONS.

In the Federal Senate August ls the bill to suppresg
insurrecton, sedon and for other purposss being
der confederation
Mr.. Breckenridge said that he we'll aware that on
the motion TO postpone would not be in order to dis
the merits OF the bill; but without desiing to in
fringe any parliamentary rule hewould merely state his
intention TO vote for the posponement He glad 10
that the Senate which had hitherto passed which
unconstitutional at last staggered when asked to
vote for Senate bill No 80. He did not wish postpone
in order that the question might not be discussed on
the contrary, he willing to debate its merits and
wished il printed in every newspaper of the country
he was sure would be universally condemned by the
people.
Mr. Brsckinrdge said that . bill had been passed
which conscsted property in the seeded States and
dsngered iE in adjoining States but this bill provides for
tho destruction Of personal and political rights every
where. The BILL he ssid intended, and il passed
would accomplish the abolition Of State rights and per-
sonal and political liberty.
Mr.. Trumbull said the Senator from Kentucky (hr.
Breckinridg had objected TO the provisional exercise Of
military law he would ask whether military law vas not
now eIercissd-whether not arrested in ILL.
nos Missouri aud Maryland by military order-uhsthtr
not arrested In Baltimore and removed from
Fort hcHenry 10 other ponsy He that these
actions together with the search Of private houses and
papers, were committed by the military power and We
might look for the authority to do in v,in but
sy required it to be done. He that OF
the Senators were Wiling 10 give the bill the "gc-by,
but he hoped they would consult their duty in the case
and coths the military with power crush the rebellion
Mr.. Colamer thought tina. the bill should be post.
poned as bill bad already passed vhish gave the Execu
tive all necessary power to crush the rebellion. That
war could not be regulated By special legislation.
Mr.. Ten Eyok was not in favor Of posponement hs
wished the Senate would vote upon tho bill BY sections
he thought the duty Of the Senate pass Of
the provisions Of the bill and others should be rejected
Mr. Breckenridge said he did not know how the Senate
would vote on the bill before them but that several Sen
otors had made remarks which no felt bound 10 deny
The drama Is now beginning to open to us-ws nov have
| some idea Of the magnitude Of the question.
He showed, said he some time ago that the course
the Senate pursuing tending rampe the Con-
stitution under foot. Both Houses had passed bill
couscatug all property In the seeding States used In
aiding the rebellion aud he reed not say that all proper
~ used to support those who are carrying on the war
To this bill Is added that all persons held service
labor aiding in the rebellion shall be freed from such
rvice or labor; this, he said, was plainly act Of
emancipation. as all these persons are employed In
raising the very means Of support Of the people Of the
seeded States.
Mr.. Beeckuridge said that 10 New York youny man
had bt sh impsonsd WITHOUT direct charge being made
aud the military officer refused to obey the writ Of habsas
corpus. Why was this Necessary In the State OF New
York; Was not New York subordinate to the Federal
Government The police Commissioners Of Baltimore
we're arrested without charge In vain they asked for
hearing in vain they respectfully protested against the
wrongs which he'd been perpetraed upon them. When
the President Ia asked to give information to the lower
House Of the cause 81 their aud Of their where
sbouts he answers that it would be Incompatible With the
public interest They are spirited away from one fortress
to anatheI and the President refuses to state where
| they are, or the resson why they we're removed.
The Senator from Illinois Mr. Trumbull) accused me
the other day Of being malignant in my remarks on the
Executive. have 10 say that what have done have
done freely have criticized the acts Of the Presdent
With the freedom Of representative, and viii continue
do % 40 long hold sect this aoor IN regard
to the President he hoHght that hs actions IN the
we're attributable TO those around him that although be
vas ksmpling the Constitution under loot pvsy dsy, b
va hsssss, bat vs' subject v W iaassses = ~