Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-12-25

IItdhtli- III tit iOii1 route Over WHICH ne
had passed. he says:
In no part of this vast tract can the rains
from heaven be relied on 10 any eNtc,it) for
tie cultivation of the soil. The earth is drsti-
tute of trees, and in great part also of any
vegetation whatever"
Lieutenant Micher. who was attached to
the boundary survey. speaking of this cuum-
try, says.
The climate of this region is in accor-
dance with everything else relating 10 il.
Having returned the f,loving August Ia
Fort Yuma. the thermometer in the shade at
the post was found to he ll6 deg Fahren-
heit, and over 100 deg. in the shade along the
river
One hundred and twenty degrees! Mr..
Blodgett says in his work on Climatology,
(page I9l. } that
AT Fort Yuma the mean for the wear is
% deg min and that for the warmest month
80 deg-ntasur,s only equalled in the lowest
basins and valleys of Arabia"
Giving an account of his travels from Som
oyta to Fort Yuma and back. in the middle
Of August. 1855, Lieutenant Micnler saws:
1t was the NEST drcary and tiresome I
have ever experienced. Imagination cannot
picture More drcary, sterile country, and we
named 1t Nal Pals The burnt, limelike
appearance Of the soil is ever before YOU; the
very stones look like the scorip of a furnace.
There is no grass. but a sickly vegetation
more unpleasant to the sight than the barren
earth ITSELF scarce an animal to be seen, not
even the wolf or the hare, to attract the atten-
ton; and save the lizard and the herned frog,
naught TO give lite and animation to this re-
gion.
= The eye may watch in vain for the flight
of bird; to add to all this. us the knowledge
that there is not one drop of water 10 be de-
lad, 10 81
ado or ella. All traces of the road are some
times erased by the high winds sweeping HE
unstable soil bcfnre them, but death
has sIrewn a continuous line of bleached
bones and withered carcasses of horses and
cattle. as monuments to mark the way
We could add numerous other testimonials
in regard to this delightful region. which, in
the estimation of some, is to become the fu-
ture abode of freemen, but we think that we
have given enough.
Tie majority have also reported an amend
ment to the fugitive slave law. Tn design
of this amendment is understo, d to be to
MAKE the law more efficient and at the same
time render it less offensive to the people of
the north. That they have succeeded in the
former there is no doubt. but that it will in
its practical operation be of any benefit to
to the alleged fugitive, or satisfy the north
that it is any improvement, on the old law is
very questionable 1t provides for the con-
Quoting of all the operations of slave catching
at the expense of the United States, and af-
fords ne indemnity or just protection TO per-
sons who may be wrongfully seized and
transported for trial to distant State, Under
it free man may be seized in the State of
Maine and transported TO Texas, and there
Held in custody until the next term of the
circuit court. which may not be for months.
and if he finally be adiudged a free man, the
only satisfaction he can obtain for his loss of
time and restraint of his liberty Is in being
transported back again at the expense of the
United States. The last section of the bill is
designed to remove an offers ive provision in
the existing law, that authorized the marshal
TO summon to his aid any person or persons
he saw proper; the amendment only author
ICES it in case the marshal reasonably appre
bends that he shall need their aid. Practi-
tically. there is very little difference between
the existing law and the proposed amend
ment and the whole of the amendment is so
doubtful an improvement on the present law
that we feel justified in Withholding from it
our support
The majority of the committee also reco-
mend am amendment OF the Law at 1893 in
regard to fugitives from Justice, making it tn
duty of the United States Judges to surrender
fugitives instead of the exec tive of the State
to which the fugitive had fled. The people
are Justly jealous of the power of the United
States cOnrts, and, as we have before said,
are particularly sensitive IN regard to meas
ures that propose to abridge the rights of the
States and enlarge the power of the general
government. The disposition of the United
States courts to enlarge their power has been
so manifest heretofore, that we feel unwilling
to assent to any proposal that will enable
them to do so.
Having thus expressed orr views on all the
propositions of the committee that contents
plate any action, we feel compelled to say
shat in our Judgment they are. one and all,
powerless foe permanent good. The present
dissatisfaction and discomfort does not arise
from the fact that the north has passed per-
somal liberty bills or that the fugitive slave
law is not faithfully executed; neither does il
arise frem an apprehension that the north
proposes to interior with slavery in the States
where it exists
The REASONABLE purposes of South Cafplina
are not of recent origin. In the recent con-
vpntion of that State leading members made
use OF the following language in the debate
on the passage of the ordinance of secession:
Mr.. Parker-Mr President. it appears to
me- with great Difference to the opinions that have
been expressed, that the public mind is fully made uD
Ia the great occasion that now awaits Us. 1T 40
sPAsoMoDIC EFFORT THAT HAS COME SUDDENLY Upon "
BEEN GRADUALLY ELIMINATING A LONG
SERIES YEARS, UNTIL AT LAST IT HAS COME 70 THAT
POINT WHEN WE MAY SAY THE MATTER Is ENTIRELY
RIGHT.
Mr. Ihgliss-Nfr President, Il tIcsr Is anr gentle
man present who wishes to debate this matter Of
this body will hear him but DELAY for the
purpose of discussion, for opposed to it. As
my friend bIr Parker) has said MOST or Us HAVE MAD
THIS NATTER UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR TIE LAST
TWENTY YEARS AND PRESUME WE HAVE BY TINS riyg
ARRIVED AT 4 DECISION UPON THE srBJECT:
g Mr.. Keitt-Sir, we are performing great act
which involves not only the stirring present hut en-
braces the whole great future If ages u come HAVE
BEEN ENGAGED IN THIS MOVEMENT EVER SINCE ENTER-
ED POLITICAL LIFE. am content with what has been
done to- day, and content with what will take place to-
morrow. We have carried the body of this Union to
its last resting pa ce and will drop the flag
its grave. After that Is done ready to adj
journ and leave the remaining ceremonies for
W.
80 Mr.. Rhett-THE SECESSION OF SoUTH CAROLINA Is
NOT AN EVENT or DAY. IT Is NOT ANYTHING PRO-
DUcED BY Mr.. LISCoTSs ELECTION, or BY NON ExEcVe
TIoS OF THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW. IT HAS RKES A
MATTER WHICH HIS BEEN GATHERING HEAD FOR .SssRTY1
YEARS. The election of Lincoln and lfanlin was the
last straw on the back of the camel Bnt it was not
the only one. The back was nearly broken before
The point upon which differ from my friend is this:
lie says he thought it eXpedient for MS to put this
great question before the world upon this simple
ter OF wrongs on the question OF slavery, and that
question turned upon the fugitive slave law. Now in
regard to the fugitive slave law myseIf doubt its con-
sttutonality aud doubted il the floor of the Sem
ate, when was member of that body. The states
acting in their sovereign capacity should be RESPONSE
be for the rendition OF fugitive slaves That our
best securitv."
Such sentiments, expressing the opinions Of Iasdi,
representative men in the South Carolina rnovaD,sS
ought to satisfy it seems to u.s. any reasonable ,ns3
that the proposed measures Of the m.iorit, 81 -
committee viii be powerlesS for coed
South Carolina is oar 9 sick nan that is taho-;
under the Influence OF the most distressing of rladi