Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1862-07-16
C0NGRESSEONAL.


Mr. Sumner, {Rep. Mass moved to a
mend the bill in reference 10 the iegls-
lative powers conferred, where II says
there shall be no interference with the
laws and institutions of the SAID States,
but they shall remain the same a. before
they attempted to throw off their alicgi-
ance.' bv striking out the words = laws
and institutions and inserting the word
:. Constitution" He cited several laws
of the State of North Carolina against the
education of slaves, &c. as laws which
ought not in any way 10 bc sanctioned or
enforced by the General Government
Mr.. Ten Eyck Rep., \. j could see
no. necessity for the passage of the bill at
all. Ii would only Interfere with the
rights of States, and recognize the doctrine
of secession. These States are as much
States as they ever were, and this thing
of the Government of those States should
be left TO work itself out. This bill would
reduce these States to mere Territories.
Mr.. Trlmbull Qiep., III was in favor
of Mr.. Summers amendment, after he had
seen what the laws were III some of these
States, and how the persons sent there
undertake 10 enforce them. He was in
favor Of limiting the bill 50 as not to en-
force obnoxious laws.
Mr.. Powell dem, Ky.) denouced the
bill as unconstitutional, reducing the
States TO provinces, leading 10 disunion
BY destroying sovereign States, and viola
ting the constitutional provision which
guarantees Il republican form OF Govern
ment to every State
Mr. Harris (Rep., \. y claimed
force for this bill under this very provis-
ION OF the Constitution. Certain States
refused to be governed by the Constitu-
ton, and thus it becomes necessary to
provide temporary Governments for
them until they return 10 their allegiance.
Mr.. Cowan (Rep., Pa said that the
theory of this war was to rescue the low
al people of the South and restore the
governments of the loyal people of the
Southern States. The war of the revolu-
ton had settled the right of a people to
govern themselves, and we have no right
10 make 4 Government for the people of
North Carolina. The question is not
whether the laws are abhorrent, but are
they the laws of North Carolina? If so.
al we have to do Is to restore them as
agreed upon by the people of that State
To do otherwise would be to destroy the
theory of this war, and 10 destroy the eff
ects of the war of the revolution.
The discussion was further continued
by Messrs Carlile, Harris, and Cowan.
Mr.. Wilkinson CRep., Mimi said he
understood the Senator from Penn>yiva-
mia TO hold that if all the inhabitants of
q Southern State would not be governed
BY the United States, then we could not
force them to remain but would the GOV
ernment of the United States be justified
to allow any people to set up a hostile
and independent Government within her
borders!
Mr.. Cowan said we had solemnly deci-
ded that we could not make war OF
conquest, but only to rescue and restore.
There was no constitutional authority tC
conquer, but that was simply question
of policy
Mr.. Davis Un., KY said it was the
duty of the Government of the United
States TO assert its authority cvcrywher,
within lis own limits, and execute all the
laws but he thought Congress had no
the power TO pass this law.
Mr.. Summer modified his amendment
so as TO strike out the word institutions
leaving the word laws.
Mr.. Carlile (Un. Va moved TO post
pone the bill indefinitely. He spoke Il
some length in favor of postponement
Mr.. Wilkinson was opposed TO post
ponement. lie contended that it was tn,
duty of the Government 10 enforce law
within all constitutional limits, and tha
the doctrines urged by the Senators from
Pennsylvania and Virginia were simpl,
doctrines Of secession.
Mr.. Cowan responded that the onl,
way the Union should be restored wa
that every part should enjoy its rights
In any other way we could not succeed
He looked upon the scheme to thrus
emancipation down the throats of tin
South in the same light as the attempt O
the South to thrust slavery on the North
He wanted to make friends with tn
South, and not make weapons against us
The country was not 10 be saved by I'M
tiating legislation and schemes in favor G
the negro, but by war against the rebel
lion, and kindness TO loval people. Ill
believed the system of legislation pursue,
here brought us to the condition we ar
now in, and maSSed the enemy agains
us. Where Is now the grand army p
And shall we 60 on fighting, as if W
were the Abolition party fighting agains
the pro-slavery party
Mr.. Chandler ReP., Mich.,) said tn
Senator from Pennsylvania wanted t
know where the army was. or who pla
ced them there The army of the Pc
tomac, when ii marched on NIanassa: