Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-02-10

House met ut .. m Dir. Speaker in the
chair.
Mr. Miller Of Tppecanoe, introduced bill No
los, to provide for the apprasement for taxation
OF the property of railroads in this state
BILL INTRODUCED
Mr. Branham introduced bill No l59 and
asked that the constitutional rule be suspended
IN order that the bill might be read By title only
Agreed tO-ayes, 10: nays
So the bill, No. 1853. was read as proposed
and referred TO committee on WAYS and means.
SECOND READING OF BILLS.
Senate bill No. 10, relative to fraudulent
debtors. read second time and referred to
the judiciary committee, on motion of Mr. Bran
ham
House bill $50. passed over Informally
House bill l47, relative to estrays and articles
adriit, was ordered TO engrosement.
House bill No 2 relative TO fees and salaries
OF officers of the supreme court was passed over
informally.
THE SLAVERY AMENDMENT
The House resolved itself into committee of
the whole, considering the question pending this
morning
Mr. Burton took the floor. lie was here. al
though the majority had everything in their OWE
hands to advocate democratic principles; to rep
resent his democratic constituency as he under
stood their wishes By the adoption of this
amendment you struck down the rights of the
states you struck down state sovereignty. You
thereby trampled upon the rights OF the people,
the rights OF the people who in their several
states are sovereign.
Again, no private property should be taken
without compensation. Yet by this broad sweep
il was attempted TO deprive men of their proper
~ without justification of law. He contended
that three fourths of the states could not bind
the other fourth on this question. BY the act OF
the other states. il they voted affirmatively on
this question, they would place the other fourth
by their own act, out of the union.
The states alone could aCtwith regard TO their
own domestic institutions. This question of
slavery must be left 10 them alone
The gentleman from jefferson Mr. Wright
bad said that he democrat that be had
voted even for the traitor John @. Breckenridge
he Mr.. Burton) would not stop,tn inquire whe
Their the gentleman from Jefferson was after
this avOwal entitled to seat on this floor or
not But be would like to have him answer the
question to whether, IN voting for John c.
Breckinridge he did not vote TO sustain sta .e
rights
1t this amendment was adopted il would 90
far to unite the south and divide the north Ifthe
rebels refuse to come back der the old con
stitution. then yv. might expect 10 see q united
north But If tt rebels required to come
back under free constitution, they never would
do il, and, for himself, be would, so help him
God, upon this issue, oppose the war more Wig
orouslv than ever.
So long as the negro existed on this continent
ne must undergo slavery in some form other
The two races could not CO exist on terms Of
equality
Ia answer to Mr.. Wright, Mr.. Bnrtoa said that
the power or authority to amend the constitution
did not extend to the infringement Of the funda
mental principle underly ing That instrument. He
stood for the original compact, and that, because
il protected the Liberties of the people every
where, he should maintain.
Mr. Meredith followed, in advocating the
amendment and resolution. aud asserting the
right OF the people to change their constitutions
state and national, in every aud all Dartcul rs
He reviewed the arguments o. gentlemen who
had preceded him and asserted thar 40 leading
democrat or statesman had ever contended that
slavery was permanent institution
The people IS history and experience teaches
them. have the right and h4ve the power to
change their fundamental institutions of gov
eminent The people were sovereign in this free
land Therefore since slavery the prime
cause of all their present troubies-the sole
cause aud power OF The rebellion-the people pro
pose to rid themselves of Il, and, advancing With
civilization the world over, put II away forever
And nov WAS the time 20 free the country for
all time Of this institution. This golden oppor-
tuuity improved. the nation would 60 Cd re
deemed aud prosperous and happy
Mr Brown follo.ed. BE met the subject with
great eubarrass ment. and With feelings of inf
rite regret, Re should not attempt 70 answer