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This was not the time.
Twenty-three sovereign States are a unit in this conflict.
He who would now cast a firebrand among the ranks of the united North and West and the Border States, will initiate a calamity, the extent of which will be appalling and inconceivable.
Let us cultivate unity and union.
Let us frown upon every element of distraction and weakness and discord.
‘I am therefore willing,’ said he, ‘to place my name in the negative upon an imperishable record, believing that I am doing a service to my beloved and imperilled country.’
After further remarks by Mr. Pierce, of Dorchester, the previous question was moved; and the House refused to suspend the rules, by a yea and nay vote of 74 to 69. Two-thirds not voting for suspension, the motion was lost.
The resolves then went into the orders of the day.
Mr. Slack, of Boston, moved that a committee be appointed to wait upon the Governor, and request him to postpone, for the present, the prorogation of the Legislature.
During his remarks, the Secretary of State was announced, with a message from the Governor, that his Excellency had prorogued the Legislature, according to request.
The Legislature was then prorogued, and the resolves were left among the unfinished business in the orders of the day.
We have given prominence to the debate upon these resolves, as it reflects the opinions of members at that period in regard to the rights of colored men. This was undoubtedly the first debate in the war touching the right of colored men to bear arms, and the expediency of employing them as soldiers to put down the rebellion.
The resolutions passed the Senate; and, if the vote in the House to suspend the rules was a test of the opinions of the members, the resolutions would have also passed the House, had it remained another day in session.
The following is an abstract of the laws which bear upon our subject, passed in this session:—
First. An act to provide a sinking fund.
The Treasurer is to report, on Jan. 1, 1863, the amount of all scrip, or certificates of debt, of the United States, which shall have been received by this Commonwealth from the United States, under provisions of acts of the Legislature, and the actual marketprice
1868. E. P. DUtton and Co. Boston,.
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