Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-12-05
Congress.
WAsHiNGroN, II

WAsHiNGrON Dec. !.
A quorum appeared IN both Houses. In
the House, every Republican member from
New England, except Mr.. Damrel of Mass
achusetts, was present. Indeed, from the
vote on Whrfcld's case it is evident that
The Republicans generally were at the post
Of duty promptly Mcssrs. Hodges Of Yer
mont aud Allcn and Morrison of Illinois new
members.) were sworn.
Mr. Phelps Of Missouri presented the Gre,
dcntlals of Mr.. Whitfield, who claims a scat
as delegate from Kansas under an election in
October last when nobody but pro-sIayery
men voted, many Of them, as usual, from
Missouri.
Mr. Grow of Penn objected, on the ground
that no valid election had been made, or can
be made, so long as the Government of Kan
sas is unconstitutional.
Mr.. Phelps proiessod to be prepared to
defend the Territorial Government
Ayes, % Noes, lOl. Every member
from Vermont was present and voted no.
Mr.. Grow moved TO reconsider this vote,
and to lay that motion on the table.
Unsuccessful motions to adjourn were IN
terposed many members retired for dinner,
or to drink, and finally call Of the House
was ordered, absentces were arrested and
fined amld much merriment, and the House
adjourned.
TUESDAY Dec. .
SENATE. After the reading of the presi-
dents message, debate sprung up incident
al TO the motion 10 PRINT 1t, and the accom-
panying documents
Mr. Hale attacked the position of tho
President, denying altogether the charge.
"tt,u tutput.d go ,,,.i .-.sy 80 st.. people O..
eleven States want OF fidelity to constitutions
al obligations, and love of the Union. H.
sand 10 WINS untrue that they sought 20 usurl
the power of thls government
Mr.. Brown thanked the President for hi.
fidelity no sounding the voice of warning
against sectional strife and took occasion 10
charge the supporters of Fremont w.th the
intention of abohshing slavery everywhere
and 90 this connection, alluded TO the views
Of Seward aud Wilson.
This called mp Mr.. Seward who remarked
that what be had SAID on that subject wa,
not in q corner. aud referred Brown for fur.
thcr information TO Redfeld's publication OF
us speeches
Mr., Wilson stated he had never enlcriain-
ed nor expressed the opinion that Congress.
had the power to abolish slavery within the
States, nor had be uttered the sentiment that
those with whom he acted intended 10 assume
or exercise such power.
Mr.. Mason maintained that the constant
agitation of slavery brought the people of
me south to ihe conviction that the preser-
vatiou of that institution rested with them
selves aIone, aud that % the Fremont party
had been able to execute what they ovowed
t would have led go dissolution OF the Onion
--mmednie aud eternal.
Mr. Tmmhu' denied that the Republicans
had any intention 20 Interfere with slavery loo
the States They bad ayowed the rights of
the States, and that the Union of the States
and the Constitution of the country must be
preserved. lie sprtedIy -conuovertcd the
Presidents remark that the Missouri Com
promise was absolute, being unconstitutional,
saylng be had no foundation for the assertion.
Adjourned.
HoUsE The House was engaged all the
session on tine subject of WhIlhed's admis
SION, aud adjourned without dlsposius Of the
question.
We take from the New York Tribune the
following paragraph, showing the changes
which have taken place m the composition
OF this Congress since MS first session:
James Meacham of Vermont has died,
and bis place 100 the present House has been
filled by the election of George Il. Hodges,
Repubhcan-no change. From Virginia,
Nuscoe ii. L. Ganett, Slavery hXieuuon
Dem, has been chosen ln the place of Gen.
homas II Blyly, who was absent nearly all
last session on account Of illness, and who
ultimately died FROM Illinois, James G..
Allen, Dem, IS rnf"-"7d 10 tho seat held by
ntm through most Of the former session, but
finally vacated on a contest by Mr.. Archer,
Republican. Col WIN A. Richardson, who
was 10 some SOFT leader of the Nebraska
Democracy ot the last session having been
nominated by hs party for Governor, resign
ed bis seat lu the House and was beaten IN
the canvass for Governor. but his place in the
present House is filled by Mr.. J.. DAVIS. OF
hundred politics, The seat for the With
District of Illinois, vacated By the nccep.
lance OF the Senatorshlp by Judge Tmmbul
has likewise been filed by the election Of
l.. ID. Morrison, formerly wing, but now
acting with the Nebraska Democracy. The
Missouri seat rendered vacant through nearly
all the last session by the illness and ultl-
mate death of John G.. Miller, ,pro-Slayery
WMg.) was filled ln August by the election
OF William Akers (Amerlcan) who will il
all things vote ~ the interests of slavery ex
tension. Practically, therefore, the oppo
rents Of free Kansas wall be three votes
stronger IN the House, as now constituted
lhan they were when the decisive votes were
taken on ordering the Congressional nyes,
legation, and on recognizing the Free-SatI
Constitution. We mus, expect this differ
ence To make itself felt IN the divisions o
the ensuing session"