Year: 1861

ting the report that we are Republicans
here and whenever such man gets an
opportunity, he is puttingto me such ques-
tions as, 90 Do Won intend to abolish slavery
in Northwestern Virginia, and make this
free State, or do you intend to connect it
with Ohio or Pennsylvania? These iu-
quiries have invariably come from an enc
my and Rspcr from friend. ! now repeat
here that saddle the responsibility, and
intend to vote for keeping the resolution on


the table, let the fearful consequences be
what they may.


1t may be, sir, that give no evidence of
loyalty whenI say | am in favor OF the fu-
gitive slave law and oppose the resolution
like the individual who says with an


oath that be is Christian; but am will
ling to saddle the responsibility. am Op-
posed to the agitation of the subject of
slavery in and out of Congress, because it


has been IL bone of contention; because


the abolItionists of the North and the Sc


cessionsts of the South, one holding one
end of the rope and the other holding the


other, have come very near severing this


mighty and magnificent political fabric of


ours; and am not willing to take side3


with the abolitionists on the one hand or


the secessionists on the other, but stand


on the common platform with every AM


ercan citizen, laboring to maintain our


institutions, preserve the Constitution of


the United States, and aid the Administra-


ton in promoting the interests of the peo-


pie by sustaining that Constitution and
protecting our civil and religious rights
and 1 nm opposed to any question that


may have q tendency to weaken us at
home or abroad, and can but regard, sir,
that the agitation of this question here
will be fraught with the most serious con-
sequences. If any injury is done to the
harmony of our proceedings here, it is not
done by those who have objected to this
resolution, but it will emanate from the
very fact that frebrand has been thrown
into our midst, and the injury will be
done by this resolution in causing the agi-
tation of IL subject that ought not to be
brought within these walls.


We came not here, sir, to please secesr
sionists, who are lying in the woods be-
cause of their guilty fears and of their re-


beliou against the Government, but to
promote the interests of our people by sus-
tanning this political fabric ofours; and ifauy
injury has been dealt this movement here,
it has emanated from some other side of
the House than ours. My people do not


want me to vote on this subject in any
shape or form. They are capable of ia
king care of themselves. They are as
sound on this subject as any other people
in the universe, but they (sensiby, l
think, believe that we have interests 9th
er than the negro interest, Why, sir, if
your house was on fire, and the spiral flame


was encircing and devouring 1t, what
would YOU think of IL son who would be
squabbling about position in some room
he might occupy of the burning building.
Would he not go to work to eXtinguish the
flames, aRd afterwards, when the house
was saved, select his place and his room.
Sir our political fabric is on fire, this mag
nificent temple of liberty, erected by our
fathers, has been lit by the incendiary
torch, and the devouring element is curl
ing and cracking ABOUT its fair propor-
tionS. Is this any time to squabble about


our places and positions in the structure?
No; let us extinguish the flames, let us
restore the Government in its integrity, and
then, if it is deemed necessary, we can 20
back and quarrel about our domestic af-
fairs. Let US go to work and sustain the
Administration in protecting this benef-
cent Government, by voting money and
means, by reason, and argument, and facts,
which appeal to the judgement and cou-
sciences OF men, and when we tave done
all that, we can talk about the wants of


our people in their domestic relations.


Mr.. LOGAN, ofOhio-I shall, Mr.. Speaker,


make but very few remarks. ] desire to
detain the House but few minutes to
alludc to one or two points that have not
been referred to in this discussion. l do
not believe, sir, that there is member of
this body who is opposed to the Fugitive
Slavs Law, and who would not view with
the deepest regret, and confront with the


most strenuous opposition any serious at
IN a n q
books of the United States. And the gem
! tleman from Lewis must feel assured by
this fact that the motives and action of
gentlemen OF this body have no founda-
ton whatever in any sentiment of hostility
to that law or the objects it was intended


to accomplish. l desire, sir, to direct the
attention of the gentleman and of members


of this body to another fact and that is
! that the present Administration has more
| fully carried out the objects of that law
and its provisions, as is testified by disin-
terested and competent witnesses among


all classes in every party, than any pre-
| vioIIs Administration since the law was


enacted Mr.. Lincoln has fulfilled to the
fullest extent the pledge he made in regard


to the carrying out of its provisions


These, sir, are matters of history; aud we


have no reason to believe that the idea is
entertainer oy bne ADMINISTRATION 10 tue


least extent of interfering in any manner


with this law as it ut present exists. We


know some difficulties have sprung up in


connection with this subject of fugitive


slaves, arising out of the disturbed state Of


the country; but to my mind and judge


ment they have been very satisfactorily


met and disposed of by the Administration


and officers of the army.


| We cannot then sir suppose for n mo-


law being interfered with under present


circumst stances, and am unwilling for one


to attach the least dignity or Importance


to the effort made by this man Lovcjoy to


Introduce this subject into the House of


Representatives. AS am in favor of doing,
| 4 II r. :.