M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1862-06-19
Nir. CrItcndCm's speech.

AsA
On the Bill for the Abolition 0,
Slavsry iathe Di'trict Of C0Iam
biG.
MIR. Crittenden, Of Kentucky, said
We are Ol no summer sea. We ar'
in the midst OF q storm OF war. Ih,
country is conVulsed from ono end lC
the other.
This state Of things wES enough ID
put all men on their deepest sense o.
responsibility, and he bad felt it to an
oppressive degree. This rebellion
was without parallel in the history
Of the world. Where did q rebellion
ever assume such gigantic proper
tions as thiIi
Where we're there so much to be
destroyed, whether We consider the
material prosperity or the bsnefceni
institutions inyolveda But the i'm
mediate question was the abolition ol
slavery in the District of Columbia.
For the first thirty or forty years Of
our existence, perhaps, the records Of
Congress bear no trace o! measure
contemplating such a change Of con-
dition. The proposition had been
rejected time aud again, and in the
palmiest days Of the Republic, it was
iudged lmpolitic by the predecessors
of the gentlemen now here. The
Senate, however, had just passed the
bill which was now before the HonSe
for its action. What practical good
or advantage would be derived from
IA becoming a lawi Apartfrom 9th
Or considerations, This was q most in-
auspiclous riuAa 70 r such action.
We are engaged in a war, which
he trusted wds coming to Sn end !;
founded on the apprehension that it
was the intention OF Congress to vic.
late the rights of the States by con.
sumating measure which had so
long been agitated. 1t was this ap-
preheusion that engendered the war.
Under it the insurgents had fought
with fury. Would not the passage Of
this bill strengthen them in the belief
that such is the purpose ofCongreSss
1t would be considered by the rebels
as the general purpose to interfere
with slavery in the States, lie did
not say Congress haO not the power
to abolish slavery in the District of
Columbia, but would not such pow.
er now be nnwisely exercised I Was
itnot the worst time that could be se.'
lected for this act Was there any
idea when this district was ceded for
the purpose of the seat Of the Federal
Government, that the purpose was to
enable Congress to exercise its power
over the slavery question: lie re
psared, this territory was cedsd for q
single purpose.
Mr. Hickman Penn. J asked wheth-
er it was the gentlenan's opinion
that because Maryland and Virginia
eeded the District OF Columbia, Con
gress, under the Constitution, having
exclusive legislation over the District.
There was an implied understanding
that through all time the then existing
institutions of those States should be
confined in force, and that Congress
had no right to exercise Ito power
under the Constitutiont
Mr.. Crittenden replied that the ces
s;on was made without the sligdtest
apprehension that slavery would evel
be abolished in the District, being he
tween the States Of Maryland enc
Virginia. The abolition spirit q
that time scarcely existed among th'
people of the United States. By tn
passage of this bill there would Geeu
10 be some breach Of faith. Slavery
had been diminished here. Let i
alone and it would 60 out like q can
die. The passage Of thia bill! woul'
be regarded by the South, already OK
asperated by apprehension, as tn
commencement Of q system eventual
ly to reach the States. In conclusion
he condemned the proposed contif
cation acts, saying our business is +
heal, to pacify, aud TO consolidate s
tie S.stes in one great nation, an
true policy to restore the former brott
erhood. Victory is the moment
generosity, and true policy does nc
require vengeance for what is alread
done Let mercy and mild and mod
--0-n;l.