is not doubted; that it will awaken a thrill of patriotic pride and enthusiasm in the great heart of the nation, no man doubts. Even the opponents of emancipation on this floor have not ventured to shock the moral sense of the House by an absolute defence of slavery as a thing desirable in itself. No man has ventured to assert that the measure will be injurious to the general interests of the District. The respected and venerable gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Crittenden) did declare that he was no friend of slavery; that, if the adoption of slavery were now an original proposition before the House, he would vote against it. I rejoice, sir, at such declarations as these, coming, as I have no doubt they do, from a truly loyal, patriotic heart: they are the harbinger of better days for the Republic. But, sir, I expect no applause in South Carolina and Mississippi for the passage of this bill, and none from traitors anywhere. It is our duty to abolish slavery here, because Congress, by the Constitution, has the power to do it; and, slavery being a great wrong and outrage upon humanity, we should at once do right, and pass this bill."

"I would rather close this debate," said Mr. Van Horn (Rep.) of New York, "and come directly to the vote upon it, and content myself with recording my name in its favor. Indeed, it needs no defence. Upon its face it bears the marks of humanity and of justice. Every line and every syllable is pregnant with a just and true sentiment, and already hallowed with the sublime spirit of a noble purpose. Throughout it there breathes a spirit akin to that which runs through all the wonderful teachings of Him who spake as never man spake, and inspired the hearts of those whose immortal

capital free; and then the statue of Liberty, fashioned by our own Crawford, will be a fitting ornament on the finished dome of the Capitol."

Mr. Stevens moved that the committee rise, for the purpose of closing the debate; and the motion was agreed to. Mr. Stevens then moved that all debate close in Committee of the Whole in one minute after the committee shall resume the consideration of the question. Mr. Richardson (Dem.) of Illinois moved to amend, so as to allow one hour, yeas 56, nays 73. Mr. Wright (Dem.) of Pennsylvania moved to amend the first section so as to provide "that this act shall not go into operation unless the qualified citizens of the District of Columbia shall, by a majority of votes polled, approve and ratify the same.""I would recommend to my colleague," said Mr. Stevens, "with great respect, an amendment in another document. It is somewhere provided that the wicked shall be damned. I would suggest to my colleague that he propose a proviso to that, 'providing that they consent thereto.' It would be just as decent an amendment as the one which he has proposed." Mr. Wright's amendment was lost. Mr. Wadsworth (Opp.) of Kentucky moved to strike out of the second section the words, "loyal to the United States." The provision he "held to be unconstitutional."-"I oppose," said Mr. Hickman (Rep.) of Pennsylvania, "this amendment. My objection is, that a man who is disloyal forfeits the protection which he would otherwise be entitled to from the Government; that he cannot claim the protection of the Constitution which he repudiates and attempts to cast off; and it is not for us to confer rights upon