Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-01-07
congressional.

much that would be likely 10 prove very interesting
to our readers Prior TO the 18th the time of both
houses seems TO have been occupied principally in
eecting officers, selecting the standing committees.
and arranging other preliminaries necessary to the
regular commencement of business The only mat
tiers of special moment during the first two weeks
of the session were the resolutions offered in the
: Senate by MeSsrs. Dickinson and Calhoun relating
to the acquisition of territory and the Mexican war
The resolutions presented by Mr. D. seem to have
particular direction against the principle of the
Wilmot proviso-the aim and object of those offer
ed by Mr.. c. are not definitely understood and are
the subject of much speculation On the GOTH in
the Senate, an interesting conversation took place
between Mr.. Allen and Mr. Calhoun on a PROPOSE
ton to make the consideration of Mr. Cs resolutions
the order of the day for tie 4th inst Mr. A re-
marked that as the resolutions, coming from such
quarter entitled to great consideration in
volved questions of great importance, and were
witha! somewhat ambiguous in their terms he de
sired some explanation of their purport from the
honorable senator He wished to know whether
the senator meant to exclude the idea of any terri
torial indemnity from Mexico. Mr.. c. replied that
the great question was whether the nationality
of Mexico to be extinguished or not and it
was to this point his resolutions addressed them
selves. In reply TO remark of Mr.. Cass that the
resolutions were of an abstract character and should
not therefore be permitted to occupy the attention
of the Senate TO the exclusion of more important
business Mr. Calhoun said-that his resolutions had
the mostdecded practical application TO the present
state of affairs. They going TO a finale not
anticipated. which would place this country in
most perplexing position; and 1t was against this
that he wished to guard by an early expression of
opinion. All the difficulty now arose he said from
going to war without adecaraton Of war 1t was
important to have decision to what they in
tended to do, in order to estimate the number Of
men that were needed in the field, and the extent of
other measures. Mr. Cass rejoined by stating that
he thought the objects of the war were known to
every man. woman and child in the United States
they were, satisfaction and indemnify lie could
not avoid regarding the resolutions of the Senator
as mere distractions.
The resolutions were made the order COR the day
stated, whcn we shall have a full development
of the views of the Carolina Senator upon the sub
jcct of the war, acquisition Of territory, &c.
In the House, OH the 18th, Mr.. Hunt presented
resolutions of the Legislature of New York in favor
of the construction by the United States of rail
road to Oregon. Ii was properly referred.
On the 2Oth in the House. nothing of particular
interest TRANSFERRED Petitions and resolutions rela
ting to almost every thing within and without the
range Of Congressional legislation were presented.
In the Senate, on the 2lst, Mr.. Dix presented
memorial of officers of the army now serving in
Mexico praying for the passage Of an act granting
pensions to the widows and orphans Of such may
die in the service In presenting the memorial,
Mr.. D. took occasion to alude in most eloquent
manner to the services of the army and its Gains
on the gratitude of the country; and made mos
affecting appeal in behalf of the widows and orphans
of officers and soldiers. Mr.. Baldwin presented re-
solutions of Connecticut in favor of a rail rod 20
the Pacific, on Whitneys plan. Mr.. Hale presented
resolutions of New Hampshire in opposition to any
legislation by Congress on the subject of slavery
or the extension of slavery into any territory which
may hereafter be acquired by the United States
Mr. Niles presented resolutions of similar import
adopted by the Legislature Of Connecticut Mr.. n
expressed his views upon this subject, indicating
his determination to stand by the resolutions of his
State
In the Hou:c on the list, Nj Giddings offered
memorial of 10 citizens of the District Of Column
ba on the subject of the la, etrade in that district
praying its abolition. Mr. G. moved that it be re-
ferred to the committee on the judiciary, that the
constutionalitp of the laws authorizing this trade
might be duly investigated and reported upon. Mr.
Jones moved that the memorial be laid on the table,
and demanded the ayes and noes on the question.
The vote stood o. to 81, when the Speaker gave
the casting vote against the motion to lay on the
table, remarking that he had always voted to give
the most respectful consideration to all petitions
1t was, we believe subsequently erred desired
by Mr.. g. The Union regrets this decision and
says" This may be the frst--perhaps the very
frst-case in which the practice since the repeal OF
the 2lst rule was changed by the casting vote OF
the Speaker and the foodgates of discussion ag in
lifted up this agitating question Any quant- |
ty of resolutions presented on the subject oGthe
wal some III ldNOft aSdlnSE--SOlTIe Qcctd
ring it to be just and righteous and others denoun
cling it as unjust and unrighteous-but, generally /
they seem TO concur in point that the war must
be prosecuted with vgor until an honorable peace |
is conquered The administration will probably I
have no difficulty in getting supplies of men and |
money to any extent required so far as dependent !
on the action of Congress. Mr.. Wentworth offered !
the following resolution:
Resolved, That the general government !
has the power TO construct such harbOrs and /
improve such rivers as are necessary and !
proper" for the protection of our navy and
commerce, and also for the defences of our
country.
Mr. Wentworth demanded the previous question,
which was sustained, and the main question being
put the resolution passed-ayes 113, noes 81.
In the Senate, on the 22d, Mr., Hale presented two
ant-slavery and anti-war petitions. In presenting
them he objected to their being disposed Of usual
in the Senate. lie hoped the petitions would be