Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-11
EMANCIPATION IN THE SENATE.

| three days, IS seen IN the lOllONln1 auolIdC'
On the II inst the House resolution 20 co
operate with TIE States in aid of emancpa
ton, was taken up:
Mr. Sherman (0hio) said that heretofore be ha'
said nothing these questions relating to slavery
In regard to the abolition of slavery in the Dis'ric
of Columbia, it was not Of much practical account
as to the amount of slaves lie was crediby inform
ed that 600 free blacks here aud that only
about 500 slaves were lett. But there we're po
tent reasons why slavery should be abolished here
now. 1t may be the only opportunity we may
have and there is no doub bt but that Congress ha:
ample power to do it, Besides, most Of the slave
holdeTs here are disloyal men. II is the duty Of
Congress to legslate for the best interests Of the
District; and he (Sherman) believed it to be the
best thing for the district to get here manly labor
lie believed that if Maryland and Virginia should
adopt this system Of enancipating their slaves,
their resources would he largely increased. lie
(Sherman) knew tnat there large number
now in Maryland inclined to try the experiment.
The people of his state do not like negroes, and do
not disguise their dislike, but this district tho
very paradise Of free negroes. He was in favor
of gradual rather than immediate emancipation.
lie was opposed to submitting the question to the
people Of the District lie c0ntended that in every
bill tending towards emancipation, it should pro
vide for the choice Of emigration, allowing and
aiding the negroes to seek true freedom elsewhere.
said that the Republican party had always acici
on the defensive, and never taken any aggressive
movement against slavery.
Mr.. Davis (Hy.) said he intended TO refer TO the
abolition party and not to the Republican party.
Mr.. sherman said their enemies made no dis
tinction IT, for instance, tire Senator from Mas
sachusetts (Sumner) introduces a series Of resou-
tions in regard TO the condition Of the States, the
whole Republican party is denounced in conse-
quence Of the mere emanatious % single iudivid-
ual, who is far in advance OF any Of his political
party.
The conduct Of the government has bssn emil
nently enient. lie referred TO the case at Colum-
bus, OEio, where slaves were held by prisoners
from Fort Donelson. the same as If they were in
Tennessee. lie contended that it was time the
Republican party had definite policy. II must
have such a policy il it would stand. Il must
stand BY all its pledges 20 the people and the
state. lie was also in favor Of the resolution in
accordance with the Presidents message. 1t
would not interfere in any way VITA the states.
II hc was a meuber Of slave State ho would
raise the banner Of emancipation and never lower
II until it vas secured, a mere matter o. inter
e.t aad pecuuiary benefit 10 his state. But there
vs. higher reason than that. Slavery Is wrong.
hat Is tIe opinion Of all the civilized world
cupt the south. lie was bound by constitutienal
obi ctious not % attempt 10 aid the states 20
euauciptte their slaves till they should ask for
IT. ana lncn ne was NlilnS 20 90 II 70 tue last
dollar lie thought II was the duty of the Re
publ can party o. 20 against all Unconstitutional
and unnecessary measures-honce he was aston
isled az the resolution Of the senator from Massa
chusotts (Sumncr.) lie could see no distinction
between them and the doctrines OF JET Davis, for
the resolutions Of the senator (Sumuer) ~ 0stan-
TALLY acknowledge the right Of the states 70 Sc
oede, which would be utterly subversIve Of tne
government. lie (Shermsn) would adopt the pol
icy Of conisciting the property Of all the leaders
20. this REBEL on. lie would grant au amnc.ty
io the grca, masses, but show no mercy 20 the
leaders.
Mr. Grimes (iowai wanted 20 know II it was
understood that the slaves now rcti ned for the
use o. the prisoners at Columbus were transported
AMI ful at the government expense.
Mr. sherman said shat be did So state, and had
the clerk read part OF the report Of the commit
tee o. the Ohio Legislature, that rebels sent there
ou parole by ten. llaileck came wearing side arms
aud registering their names at hotels colonclsi
&c T.. >. A., went % the theater and Legislature,
wneie they were invited 90 seats within the bar,
all the while expressing rebel sentiments. SC.
The question was thea taken on the passage tf
the resolution;
YEAs.- Messrs. Anthony Browning. Chandler,
Clark, G C.ilamcr, DaTis, Dixon. poouttle, Fesseu-
den, Foot, Foster, Grimes. Harlan. Henderson,
Howard, Howe, King, Lane tind.). Lane (kansas)
Morrill,, Pomcruv. Sherman. sumner. Ten Eyck,
Wilmot, Wilson (Mass.)-51.
Nays-Mossrs. Bayard Carlisle, Kennedy, La
than, Nesmith, Powell, Salisbury stark, Wilson
(Mo.), Wright-lO.
The bill for the abolition of slavery in the Dis
irict Of Columbia was then taken up
Mr.. Davis wanted 10 know ii the owner had
any right Of property IN the slave, and If Con-
gIess mad tie right % take their real estate
IRON the people OF the District, and # what Is
the difference between slaves and real estate.
Mr. Morrill, (Me.) said he did not hold that the
owner owned a slave as be owned horse. such
an idea Vas sbhorreut 90 mauk nd
Mr.. Clark (N. II } said be den eli entirely tlat
there could be property IN mau. 10 was nothing
but a municipal regulation
Mr.. Davis asked whether Congress coulI take
real estate, and what Is the difference between
that property and slaves
NIr. Clark saii Congress has the right 20 take
property, but as he denied that there could be
property in man, he thought be hai answered the
question.
Mr. Davis proceeded to speak against the bill,
c1uteuding that slavery was an universal national
law and was general. and that abolition was local.
lie quoted from the decision in the case Of the
Antelope, showing that slavery was universal.
Mr.. Collamer (Vt.) said It was not so. 1t never
was universal. 1t was simply in force by the acts
Of a nation. If j; general, national law never
could have been mod fed by single nation.
Mr.. Davis continued contending that slaves
we're like all other property, and that the govern
men; has no right to take them away. lie said
all sorts of fanatic schemes originated in Massa-
chusetts We have in this country an Abolition
party like the Mountain party in the French rev.
olution, who were marching TO their object over
the ruins of the Constitution. There was no nox-
ious issue but what had its origin in Massachu
selts. Abo!itionists we're worse enemies than Jef.
Davis, because they were secret ones.
Mr.. Morrill, replied. lie said there was NJ con-
stitutional question involved in this matter
slavery never existed in the District except by
the law Of Maryland, continued by the act Of
1901, and it was perfectly competent TO repeal
that act.
A.r. Davis claimed that slavery existed prior
aud independent Of that act, that property in
slaves was the same in horses, aad that accord
ing to the Constitution, the property in slaves
could not be taken.
Mr.. Morrill, said such notions were not held to-
day by civilized nations. Man has the right Of
property in things but not persons
Mr.. McDousall spoke against the bal as mex
pedient and inopportune.
After speaking some time the Senate adjourned.
The bill was resumed on the Sd and Mr.. Nc
Dougall concluded his speech.
Mr.. Sumner moved to amend the bill so that in
the testimony before the commissioner, no witness
should be excluded on account Of color; agreed
to. Yeas %, nays 10.
Mr. Wrights substitute was then rejected; 10
against y.
Mr. Clark moved TO amend the second section so
that a claimant making petition for payment
should make oath that he had not borne arms in
the rebellion or given aid and comfort thereto.
Mr. Trumbull moved to add proviso that such
oath of the party to the petition shall not be evil
denee Of the facts therein stated Agreed to and
the amendment was adopted.
Mr. Browning moved TO amend so that the av-
crage price paid shall be Eve hundred dollars, one
half be retained by the Secretary Of the Treas
ury to be paid to the person liberated il he emf
CRATES to another country; rejected, 81 against
10.
Mr.. McDougall offered substitute similar to
Mr.. Wrights, providing for gradual emancips-
ton, compen sation and submission to the people
of the District. Rejected, yeas 10, nays IS.
Mr. Doolittle offered an amendment appropri-
ating SloO 600 in aid of voluntary emigration
A - fc