New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-17


liberal donations such az Congress has often before
mad 10 new States on their coming into the Union
Tue Committee consider these and other objections 70
this plan, which might be suggested, as too nsiynlh
cant TO weigh for moment aGa , tne e a ,e
States which it is hoped may flow from the adoption
of the measures proposed Other plans and modes OF
adjustment have been presented and considered by the
Committee. AL of them, however, involve the sur
render of opinions questions OF Constitutional law,
long held by large portion OF the people, and TOO
firmly grounded in their convictions 10 justify de-
mind Of their abandonment, especially when the result
desired by all cap be reached without that sacrifice
From the beginning of our deliberations II was ap-
parent that the disposition Of that portion of our terri
tory living soath of the parallel of go 30 the main
subject of difficulty. The settlement OF that question
was, however, complicated with provision much IN
sisted on FOR territory hereafter TO be acquired This
did not seem to the Committee properly 10 belong to
the subject. The Committee did not think proper to
extend their consideration of the embarrassments arls-
ing ont Of the occupation Of territory now within our
nossesson 10 territory which might might not here
after be acquired II seemed TO them improper il not
absurd while our Government was threatened with
overthrow by angry controversy touching the dis
petition of present territorial possessions, 10 en-
ploy our time in arranging for partition among our
selves of the territorial dominions of neghborng ma
tions looking TO future which, when 1t shall come
will probably bring with II circumstances ana conan
tions which could not be now foreseen, and which
therefore shonld be left TO the Judgments of those
whose duty it may become to consider and act upon
them.
The subject of Slavery in the District of Columbia,
and in those places in the Slaveholdng States where
the Federal Government has exclusive jurisdiction, IA
well M the Interstate save-trade have been disposed
OF by a resolution accompanying this report and the
reason for that disposition briefly given In the resoa-
ton itself.
The rendition of fugitives from justice has, at all
times, and especially lately, been source of much ir,
ritaon between the States, aud has recently connected
itself unhaprily with the subject OF Slavery. The
provisions OF the Constitution have been differently con-
strued by the Governors of different States leading to
controversy mfriendly to those amiable relations
which should always subsist between the States.
To remedy this mischief the Committee have thought
il exredien to transfer the duty of acting upon the
reQuiitions of fugitives from justice from the Cover
nUrs of the States 10 the Courts OF the United states
20 as to aecure judicial construction OF the Constu-
ton and lso secure uniformity Of action on the suo
| iect and present bill for that purpose.
The Committee have prepared several resolutions
which do not propose action any specific subeci
but which if adopted and approved by vote of the
Hopse nav serve TO announce principles when seem
in some quarters be questioned while their ADOPTION
NAV tend 10 correct and misrepresentation that
have obtained too general belief IN the Southern Sec
ton of the Union.
The intrinsic difficulties which belong 10 the subject
mns be the apology Of the Committee for the tine con-
sumed in coming to the conclusions now submitted 10
the House. IL the results which we nave reached
sLuud fail TO accomplish the much desired end, the
Committee st entertain confident belief that Con
greas will speedily adopt some measure when VIII ne
u
paternal relations between all SECTIONS Of the Union
may be restored.
unanimous all the resolutions and bills presented
| all. THOHAs CoRwIS, Chairman.
| MR.. ADsms's REPORT.
Mr. Adams of Massachusetts submitted the following
for his disagreement with the ACTON OF lhe
| Committee: ..
The subscriber has labored earnestly in the Commit
tee make hieli master Of the causes OF the present
dfcontents 40 far they were dvulged there, they
NAV be comprised under three heads: lst, The Per
sonal Liberty laws in OF the Free States; I'd,
Exclusion from the Territories; ID, The apprehension
Of some future danger TO the rights of the Slave States,
from the adoption OF Constitutional amendments inter
fering with them Without joining in the belief that
there are very serious grounds for this unenElner the
subscriber is il too well convinced Of its existence not
be dsposed 10 apply any reasonable remedy 70 qel
IT, He therefore, for THE reason, induced To give
hs concurrence at frst, in several of the measures
| reported by the Committee. lie did 80 under
| a conviction that they contain the only rea-
| sonable as well us practicable adjustment of
the differences unhappy existing IN the country with
ont tie sacrifice Of principle either side, that has
thus far come within his observailon. And although
not entirely approving Of them IN the abstract, ne
was ready 20 give his cooperation in adopting them
| there was good reason TO suppose that they would
effect the object aimed at. He endeayored to act IN
good faith and with view to the restoration OF the
kindly relations between the oPpoe sections Of The
country, which seem to be rndely threatened That
this spirit has been fairly reciprocated by portion Of
the Representatives OF the aggrieyed States he takes
great pleasure in az wledpng Had that portion
ritued only bare majority OF the whole number, he
| would still have pledged all the limited aid 10 his
| power 70 unite with them. But the fact IL wholly
otherwise While three States have refused o be rep
ned al all, MORE making ten out OF hiteen,
have decided to reject the conclusions arrived at by the
Committee.
This fact alone would seem to render all prospect of
general dustment very dim. And when il appeared
on the other hand that number OF the representa-
tiyes of the Free States equally disinclined 10
accept them what hope left Of any adyantagco ns
result from perseverance, -..
Another significant incident happeBed which put an
end 10 all further doubt III the mind OF the subscriber,
because II convinced him that If all the measures
recommended coud be adopted, the adjustment anci.
pated would be- far off ever that the causes Of
the difference but specifically touched in the al
e ed grievances which have engossed the attention OF
the Committees and that the true of discord hes
altogether too deep for the pummet of Congressional
legislation -..
BY reference to the journal Of the Committee, IL will
appear that Friday, the 18th Of January, resolu-
ton offered by the subscriber in direct response to
portion e the Presidents Message, specifically
TERED TO the consideration Of this Committee. As
finally amended, IL was in the following words:
Chief Msgas accomplished seeofdanee with every legal
| every good citizen Of the United sates.
Great was the surprise of the mover on perceiving
that the annuuciatOn of this indsputable proposition
his belief, a vital moment TO the permanence Of
any Republic founded ON the content Of men, met
by hesitation the part of several members. The
Precedent, in his annual nessage, had distinctly
affirmed the thing In another form of language
No seemed 10 exist why the Committee should
not, by responding unanimously TO his sentiment,
aid in giving to the country confidence In
the belief that the discontents existing in some
quarters were meDely such az G. concliatory policy
might remove InsEead of this n written paper WA
presented by seven members, assigning reasons for
refual record their votes all The substance