The New York herald., 1862-04-01

it is simply you the constitution reflex
of yourself II there doubt this point the
prohibitions Of the constitution would settle the question:
among which is this No person shall be deprived OF
life, liberty property without due process OF law"
Every person detained slave here Is detained in
violation oil TINS pronibition court properly impair
tal and ready to assume that just responsibility which
dgnines judicial tribunals would at declare slavery
impossible here and every slave free. The two
are parallel In the British OF the Somerset Is 900
were set free, while here it will b. only 5000.
But since courts will not do this work IL must
be attempted IN Congress. II from the former, IL would
be the triumph OF the magistrate from the latter Of
the statesman. But shall Congress vote mlneyr do
not hesitate, and there two prevailing reasonshrst,
II not partnership, there is at least completely on
the part OF Congress In slavery here through which the
whole country has become responsible; and secondly 1t
Is the gentlest quiees and surest and therefore
the most practical As there is reason of policy ad
verse TO such appropriation, there is no objection in
the constitution Congress may create freemen here,
although IL may not cate slaves But prefer TO
slider the money which not compensation, but
as ransom From time immeinorial evory government
has undertaken to ransom its subjects from captivity
unhappiy in our history have had occasion to do
this with the sanction and cooperation of the
best in our history. Even in our colo
mai days our own white people were enslaved
by the Barbary States: Algiers was tho chief
seat OF this enormty, which found the apologies
set up for slavery here said that the slaves
in Mgers we're well ted much better than the free Chris
ais there, and that some became indifferent TO freedom
In unfolding this eventful story shall exhibit the direct
and constant intervention Of Congress for the Of
saves; but the story itself Is am argument aganss
after the establishment OF Our independence. AS
power seemed inadequate to compel the liberation Of
these people il was attempted by But first
our government offered only hundred dollars per
headess than Is proposed in the present bill for the
dcmption of slaves at the national capital Petitions
wero presented to Congress for the captves and several
interesting reports made by the Secretary of State
in which he SAID that it regarded important that
in the first instance of redemption by the United
States our price should be fixed at the low
est point" There also several messages of
wa on 'hS S SUBJECT ealing upon Congress
question stated was between war and ransom. The
Senate by formal resolution. advised ransom, and the
President then announced'I will proceed to take
sures for the ransom Of citizens in captivity Al
giers." This important business with many inter
ruptions. Commodore Paul Jones, who was intrusted
with ii, died. Colonel Humphreys not allowed
reach Agers During all this time people ed
in bondage. The country meanwhile was aroused. Peo
pie Of all classes We'd in generous efforts At public cele
brations the oas:s Happiness for all, and "universa
liberty" were proposed partly in sympathy with
tn. "Agcrine Captive reprinted in London, the
prototype of 'uncle Toms Cabin" Colonel Humphreys
proposed to raise money by lotteries AT last by act Of
Congress OF the Goth Of March, 1884, million dollars
appropriated for the ransom Of people, being
precisely the is proposed be paid for
som here. The treaty with Algiers when obtained
sacrifice Of pride and not Of honor the necessity
of the occasion But amidst all its uuquestionable hGml
iaon, it was treaty Of emancipation; did peo-
secured. 1t was hailed by Washington, in message
Congress, gratifying every feeling heart" From
document in our State papers, it appears that annual
appropriations during several years made for this
purpose, amounting TO upwards OF two millions Of dol
lars To all who question the power OF Congress-
the policy o. exercising it, commend this account its
various items. If consider the population and the
at the time the amount is not inconsderabe
But the prov Of Decatur afterwards enlisted
by what not completely done by
ransom. Great Britain aroused to u naval expe
dition which abolished slavery in tho Barbary States
And thus ended white slavery in the Barbary States
single brief effort Of war puts an instant close this
wicked practice. In looking back upon its history
government stopped ransom those who
were justly free without rrice, yet we cannot fail o.
gather this great precedent Slavery is
tho in its essential character wherever il exists
except perhaps that has received harshness
here among There is argument against its va
dity at Agies which not equally strong against its
validity Washington. In botn cases it is unjust force
organized into law But in Algiers it is not equally
known that the law Was unconstitutional as il
clearly is here. in Washington. In tho early
case slavery was regarded by fathers
only existing fact; and it is Gnly existing
fact that it be regarded by In the present
case; nor is there any power Of Congress- which
genei ally extended for these captvcs which may not
now be invoked for the catves IN our own streets Mr.
Sumner concluded by ayng-Mr. President, II in this
important discussion which open the door Of the
future, have confined myself to two simple inquiries
it is because practically they exhaust the whole subject
fsavery be unconstitutional in the national capital and
if it be right to ransom slaves then you hesitate
to adopt the present bill 1t is needless to enter upon
other questions important perhaps but irrelevant. II
Is necessary also to consider the bugbears which
Senator's have invoked for all must that they are
bugbears. II havo seemed to dwell on details il
because they furnished at each stage instruction and
support II have occupied time in curious passage OF
history, II is because II was more apt than curious
while il afforded mirror in which see ourselves
OF course scorn TO the obvious truth that the
slaves here much entitled 10 freedom rs the white
slaves that enlisted the early energies Of government
They men, by the grace Of God. and this enough
There Is principle Of the constitution and rule OF
justice which Is not as strong for the other In
consentng TO the ransom proposed yos will recognize
their manhood, and II authority be needed you will find
il in the example Of Washngt who did hesitate
employ golden key TO open the house Of bondage
Let this bill pass, and the first practical triumph of
freedom, for which good men have longed dying with
out the right-.or which a whole generation has pc
titioned, and for which orators and statesmen have
pleaded, will at last be accomplished. Slavery will be
banshcd from the national capital. This metropolis
which bears venerated name, will be purified its evil
spirit Will be cast out, It's shame will be removed its
society will be refined its courts will be improved its
revolving ordinances will be swept away its loyalty
slave, then act for good and in SELF defence. If
you hesitate pass this bill for the blacks then pass IL
for the whites Nothing Is clearer than that degra
dation OF slavery affects the much the slave
while recent events testify that where slavery exists
there treason turks, II does not naunt. From the be-
ginning of this rebellion slavery has been constantly
revealed In the conduct OF the even here
the national capital has been treacherous power
which has encouraged and strengthened the enemy
This power must be suppressed, and IL the suppression
here endangers slavery elsewhere, there will be new
motive for the good work. For tie sake of ourselves
self defence aud in the Of the constitution and
Of justice let IL be done
On motion OF Mr.. WRIGHT, (Un!on) OF Ind the bill was
then pos tponed until tomorrow.
On motion OF Mr.. WILSON, (rep) Of Mass the Senate
went into executive session. and the opening Of the
doors again adjourned.
House Of Representatives.