Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-04-11
CONGRESS-.
WAsHINGToN, March 81, 1862.
SENATE.

wofkneh OF lhe late arnory at harper
j, Ferry, for the re-estabishment OF tn
armory and works.
A joint resolution was passed appoint
ing Theodore Woolsey of Connecticut
a regent of the Smithsonian Institute, il
8 place of Professor FELTON,, deceased.
A resolution was passed, asking III,
, Secretary of War for a copy of the re
port of Brig. Gen. Mansfield, relative t
the Merrimac fight
A bill was introduced creating a bill 0
transportation. Referred.
The bill proposing the transfer of the
care Of the lighthouses to the revenue
service under the control Of the Secre
tary Of the Treasury was taken up.
Mr.. Fessenden spoke in opposition
and the further consideration of the bill
was postponed.
A bill providing a territorial govern.
ment for Arizona was introduced.
Resolutions of the legislature of the
State Of Maine iavoring the Presidents
emancipation scheme aod the abolition Of
slavery in the District of Columbia were
presented.
The bill aboli,hing slavery in the Dis
irict Of Columbia was taken up.
Mr.. Sumner commenced by saying
With inexpressbIe delight | hail this
measure and the prospect of its speedy
adoption. 1t is the first instament of
hat great debt which we all owe to an
enslaved race, and Will be recognized in
history as one of the triumphs of civili-
cation. AT home it will be welcomed
with gratitude, while abroad il will quick
en- the hopes of all who love freedom.
Liberal institutions will gain everywhere
by the abolition of slavery at the nation
al capital. Nobody can read that slaves
were once sold in the markets of Rome,
beneath the eyes of the sovereign Pom
tiff, without confessing the scandal to re-
liglon, aud nobody can now hear that
slaves are now sold in Washington, be-
meath the eyes OF the FresIdeut, --;,I.y.u,
contessing the scandal to liberal institu-
tions. For the sake OF justice, let the
scandal disappear.
In the early discussions Of this ques-
ton there were many topics introduced
which now command little attention. 1t
was part Of the tactics of slavery to
claim absolute immunity. Iudeed, with
out such immunity it had small chance Of /
continued existence. Such a wrong, so
utterly outrageous in is pretensions,
could find toothold only where il was .
protected from inquiry. Therefore it
was always insisted that petitions against
its existence at the national capital were
not to be received; that it was uncon.
>titutional to touch it even here within
the exclusive jurisdiction of Congress;
and that it it were touched it should be
only under the auspices Of the neigh
boring States of Virginia and Maryland.
On these points elaborate arguments
were made but it were useless TO dis
cuss them now. Whatever may be the
opinions of individual senators, the iudg-
ment OF The country is fixed. The right
of petition, vindicated by the matchless
Of John Quincy Adams, is
now beyond question, and the constitu-
lionaI power of Congress is hardly less
free from doubt. 1t is enough to say on
this point that if Congress cannot abol-
Sh slavery here, then there is no power
anywhere to abolish it here, and this
wrong will endure, always, immortal as
The capitol itself,
But as the moment of justice approach
as, we are called to meet a different ob-
lection 1t is urged that, since there can
be no such thing as property in man
specially within the exclusive jurisdic-
ion Of Congress, therefore all now held
As slaves are justly entitled to freedom
without compensation or ransom to their
masters. OF course il this question was !
determined according to absolute Justice. .
t is obvious that nothing can be done TO =
he masters, and that any money to be a
,aid belongs rather to the slaves who ;
or generations have been despoied of d
ii the fruits Of their industry. But il b
will be difficult for Congress to determine \
he question according to absolute JUS +
ice. 1t must act practically in the light +,
t existing usages, and even existing .
under which such relations g.
ave assumed the character of law nor 4
must we hesitate at any sacrifice, provid- n
d freedom can be established. b
Testimony and eloquenee have been "
against slavery; but on this il
ooo=;on I sb,l oor &C. r,v,olc ,,,o,;-a1. 4