The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-31
THlRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION,
Tuesday, December %, 1857.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to secure Il
actual settlers the alternate sections of the
public lands received in grants to the States
for railroads.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
Presidents annual message.
Mr.. Fitch remarked, that if the election took
place in Kansas yesterday, Congressional action
on the subject would soon be required that is
assuming that there were no frauds which would
the question, he desired that the decision of the
people of the Territory whether to admit or to
exclude Slavery should not be supposed to in.
huence his opinions; and he therefore wished
to speak on the subject in advance of any pos
sible knowledge here of the character of the
proceedings at the election.
He would remark, in advance, that while he
should feel bound to comment on some of the
views expressed by the Senator Immediately be.
fore him, Mr.. Douglas, he did not design to
read him out of the party; but he would say,
that man might, by his own voluntary act.
either by promoting discord in the party, or BY
some other means, place himself beyond the
pale of the party, as such were put to the ne.
cessity of reading persons out of their organizs.
ton. If however, there were any men in the
Democratic party who wished to take a position
outside of the party, or who attempted to TO-
ment discord in the party in return for some
fancied grievance in time past, they would do
well to remember the fate of every such attempt
that hes ever been n ode, from the days of Burr
to those of Van Buren,.
MIR. Fitch was in favor of admitting Kansas
with whatever Constitution she might present
here, provided it was republican in form. The
Convention had the power to submit the Con.
stitution or withhold it, aud were only respon.
sble to the people of Kansas for the manner in
which they exercised that right. He desired to
adopt the course productive of the least evil to
the greatest number.
Mr.. Douglas replied. If differing from the
President was faction" that Senator had
double that amount of faction with himself.
He had not BECOME the mere servile tool of any
President, so as to feel himself bound to take
every recommendation without examining to
see whether it met his appreciation or not. AS
TO harmony in the Democratic party, he had
only to say, if the Democratic Senators and the
President would stand by the Cincinnati plat.
form, there would be harmony between them
all and himself. "Call it faction-call il what
you please" said he, I" intend to stand by the
Nebraska bill i; to stand by the Cincinnati plat.
form; to stand by the organization and prin.
cPles of the party; and defy opposition, from
whatever quarter it comes"
The Senate, after an executive session, ad-
journed.
HOUSE.
The House went into committee on the Sen
ate Treasury note bill.
Mr.. Grow opposed the sending forth of ire
deemable paper currency-there being nothing
in the Treasury to redeem the issue, it would
add to the evils which now prevail. He favor.
ed loan, which would bring forth 500, O0O, 900
OF coin now in secret recesses, unemployed and
waiting safe investment.
Mr.. Smith of Va, Mr.. Adrain, and Mr.. j.
Clancy Jones, severally advocated the bill.
Mr.. Morris, of Pa, looked upon this as an
attempt to return to the policy with which the
Government commenced, namely, a national
currency. He was in favor of a national bank
with such restrictions as were proposed by
General jackson. he rejoiced that the Gov
eminent has acknowledged its duty to supply
national currency, and was glad that the Presi.
dent had adopted one of the principles in the
old Wing platform.
Various amendments were debated, and
finally the Committee rose.
The House passed the Senate's Treasury note
bill without any amendment. The vote stood
yeas ll8, nays &c.
The House also passed the Senate's Joint
resolution providing for an adjournment Of
Congress from Thursday next to the 4th OF
January.
The House then adjourned.