The New York herald., 1864-04-09
THIRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
PIRsT SESSION.
Senate.
WASHINGTON. April 8, 1864,


WASHINGTON, April 8, 1864.
REGULATION or FOREIGN AND ooAsrwisK TRADE
Mr.. MORRILL,, (rep) Of Me-, introduced Dill to regu-
late the foreign and coastng trade the Northern,
Eastern and Northwestern frontiers OF the United States
and for other purposes which referred to the Com.
mittee on Commerce. II prescribes that all coasting
vessels shall be enrolled and licensed by the Secretary
the Treasury. No certificate Of registry required but
each shall be subject all the regulations penalties
applying to registered vessels compensation Of one
thousand dollars year. with fees the Treasury
regulations and three per cent collections proposed
for collectors OF customs at Pembna Chicago, Mlwau
kee, Saut Ste Mario, Detroit, Manu. Sandusky, Cuyaho
Oswego Cape Vincent, Oswegatchie. Champlan ana Yer
mont provided tnat the salaries shall not exceed $685.
GOO the collectors bonds 70 be approved by the Com
missioner Of Customs
xxEcvr1vE APPOINTMENTS CONSIDERED In OPEN SENATE
Mr. TRuMBuII, lrepl Of m, reported from the Ju.
Of the Senate, requiring nominations 70 be acted upon
The report was adopted. .~.->
NAroTN CURRENCY
Mr. SIBERIAN lrsp bf Ohio introduced bill TO pro-
vide !or National currency secured by the pledge Of
and redemption thereof The bin s 70 be that proposed
by Mr. Hooper, in the House without material change.
Referred 70 the Committee on Finance.
INDIANS.
M HARLAS, (Tep) Of Iowa. introduced bill for the re-
lief Of certain friendly indians Of the Sioux nation in Min
nesota Referred TO the Committee on Indian Affairs II
appropatee ten Thousand dollars 70 make provision for
the welfare Of such Indians persds in saving from
the massacre many whites 10 1852.
THE JuRispICnoR OF THE DISTRICT COURTS.
Mr.. MORRILL, introduced bill extending the jurisdiction
OF the District Courts which was referred to the Com
ton TO such courts actions concerning coastng
sells lakes and rivers they now have over vessels
the high aud repcas the act OF February lSA5.
rnR rERE MARoUErIS RAILROAD LAND GRANT.
Mr.. HOWARD, (rcp Of Mich, introduced Joint resou.
OF the lands granted 10 The Pere Marquette Railroad which
was referred TO the Committee on Public Lands
rHK ARREST os CAPTAINS FERGUSON AND sroDpARp.
On motion OF Mr.. WILSON, (rep Of Mass the Secretary
Of War was directed 10 communicate information touch
the recent arrest Of Captain g. B. Ferguson, Quarter
master Uncs States Army, and Captain VIM. stoddard,
Assistant uartermaser, lately charge tho military
depot at Alexandria, Va.
west POINT PROFESSORS
solved that the Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed
Of shos and Of DAWN m he
my on the same footing with the other professors.
ACQUIRING BLAND
Mr. HOWARD introduced tho bill TO acquire title 70
certain property at Rock Island, III for the purpose OF
building arsenal thereupon for the United States.
The oil occasoned some debate, during which tie
morning hour expired.
rlE TRANSFER OF MEN FROM THE NAVY.
By unanimous consent, Mr.. Hale called up the bill 10
repeal the section Of the Joint resolution OF February
"a 1864 relating to the transfer Of persons from the mill
tary to the naval service, which was passed.
sFEncn PROHIBITION OF SLAVERY ny AN
AMENDMENT OF THE cosT1TUItoN
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration OF the
Joint resolution amending the constitution
Mr.. SUMNER (rep OF Mass said the lrst thing that
would strike angel from the skies, stranger from
another planet either could bo permitted TO visit this
earth, with surprise, after viewing the extent and re
OF people, would be the TACT that there are
four millions OF human beings held in the most abject
bondage driven by the lash like beasts aud deprived OF
AL rights that OF knowledge and tho sacred right OF
family The strangers astonishment would be doubly
increased when he pointed TO the constitution as the
guardian OF this many headed wckedness lie would
interpret The constitution In its true sense and that
sumner) contcnded nat the words save" and "slavery
did not appear IN the constitution aud II the prcten.
sion Of property 10 man turks anywhere IN the const
the preamble the Key TO open the whole instrument to
freedom He would call attention 70 those chain break
ING words" No person shall be deprived OF life, liberty
or property without due process OF law Scornng all
false interpretations and glosses which may have been
he would declare there was nothing in inc text on
the hideous wrong could be founded. in dealing with
this question In the past has not been the
80 much human nature which has been 1t fault Let
the people change and the constitution would change
also for the constitution was tho shadow while the
pie the substance. Under the influences OF the
present struggle the people have changed, and in
nothing SO much as on slavery. oh opinions
ditiona foothold which slavery once possessed
has been weakening gradually, until now u scarcely
Interpretation OF the constitution and II is already visible
In the esson OF powers which were formerly denied
and the tme has come when the constitution so long IN
terpreed for slavery may be interpreted for freedom
He among the concessions OF power over slave
ry as military necessity many Join with Patrick Henry
who, In the Virginia Convention declared the power OF
manumisson given 10 Congress in tho constitution
and argued against II on that ground Slavery receiving
no support in tho constitution he conended was clearly
under the control Of Congress- under the giving
Congress power to "provde for the common de-
fence and general welfare" To all who would
deny tho power or Congress over slavery no
referred the words OF Patrick Henry, when
be SAID that that subject the constitution speaks 10
the point He coutended that under the war power no
could deny lie complete efficiency in eufranchisug
the soldier slave and his family In the words OF shaEs.
pere when he makes Harry the Of the battle OF
Agincourt say his men 70 encourage them-"For no
to-day that sheds hts blood with shall DO my brother
be he vile, this day shall gentle his condition.
lcan form OF government TO each State made plain
duty abolish slavery considering the essential
elements chat constitute II, - understood by our
fathers The clause that no person shall be deprived
OF life, liberty or property without due process Of
law, throws protection over every person without
regard 10 color, class or condition. He held that
ns onsou Of % slavery On he very face oi the couss
tuition slavery was On outsw, ana 70 JUS express pro.
visions, he had shown from sources o. power which,
executed rendered u impossible Nothing out nest
fancy and delay ersdcang slavery vas uucopetltu
tional Slavery not only nuisance, out public
enemy and traitor the rebcous States lending succor
70 Them and holding out blue lights TO encourage and
rect their operatiens and must be aoolisned reer-
70 the question OF compensation founded ou the
shaaeful assumption thu. there was properly ~ man,
there was time when no willing 70 pay money tor
% Bsi vas as ransom ana ns po' c0pp"se
Inss,me had como for the old tocsinlso svund-hons
Tor defence not enc cent Tor tribute" Millions c dollars
ana suons arms 70 defend our country against savemss
ers nes one cent fort tribute for them Every dollar o
compensation paid should 70 the slave lie concnded
that the preension 70 compensation for the renunciaou
q sysor TOO disgusting 70 picture detail WAS odous
Slavery mast DO overthrovn arst by the courts declaring
ana applyiag tho true principles Of the constitution;
record by OsnRrcss In the OF the powers which
belong TO ~ and third BY the people by amending the
their duty Congress BY single brief statute win sweep
slavery out Of existence II Congress may not do this,