What God and Nature decree, Rebellion cannot arrest." Mr.Sherman of Ohio maintained that it was not a measure for the preservation of the government, but a municipal regulation, and that the time had come when it was evidently wise to exercise the powers granted by the Constitution.

Mr.Willey of Virginia deprecated the existence of slavery in the capital of the country, but he opposed the emancipation bill as the first of a series of measures that would end in the abolition of slavery in all the States by act of Congress.

The bill passed the Senate the third day of April by a vote of 29 to 14.
When the measure reached the House and was read for information it was at once challenged by Mr.Vallandigham of Ohio; and upon the parliamentary question "Shall the bill be rejected ?" the yeas were 45 and the nays were 93.

The debate which immediately followed was in good temper, with a notable absence of the exasperation which it was feared the subject would call forth.

Mr.Crittenden of Kentucky stated the objections of the minority, and especially of the Border slave States, fairly and temperately.