The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-22
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRTNFIFTH CONGRESS--SECOND SESSION..
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81, 1858.
CIV ATL'

W, ,Wt,A.sHINGToN, Dec 81, 1858.
SENATE.
The CHAIR presented message of the President
transmitting report of the Secretary of State,
with the correspondence and official dispatches of
Mr. McLane and Peter Parker, L. S. Commissioners
to China.
Mr. SEWARD, of \. Y, introduced bill authori-
Zng the removal of the United States officers ocCu-
pied in the collection of the revenue at the New
York quarantine ground lie also submitted res
olution calling the Secretary of War for infor-
nation whether there is any land belonging to
Government in New York harbor and vicinity
which can properly be used as a quarantine sta
tion should it be deemed necessary Adopted.
Mr.. PEARcE reported bill authorizing the Presi-
dent to advance money to Hiram Powers, in pay
ment for statuary being made bv him. Passed
Mr.. SEWARD introduced resolution instructinp
the Judiciary Committee to enquire whether any
provisions OF law are necessary by way of amend
ment to the existing laws which prohibit the Afri-
can Slave Trade, to secure the eectual suppression
thereof.
Mr.. DAVIS objected to its consideration and it was
laid over.
Mr.. CHANDLER moved to take up the bill to i'm
prove the ST. Clair Flats. Carried-yeas 81, nays
The bill was then passed without debate, by yeas
30, nays 81.
A proposition to remove to the new Senate Cham
Der on January 4th laid over.
On motion Of Mr.. CLAY resolution was adopted
calling for the correspondence between the Mexican
Government and Minister Forsyth in regard to the
difficulties between the two countries, causing
suspension of diplomatic relations.
The consideration of the Pacific Railroad bill was
then resumed.
The question pending was on the amendments Of
Mr.. WILSON, to adopt the shortest practicable route
between the 35th and AID parallel, which he so mo-
dihed as to include the 34th and AID parallel.
Mr.. WARD spoke in favor of the route by Ell Paso
which was much shorter than any that had been
proposed, it being only $50 miles from Ell Paso to
San Diego Ii a shorter route was subsequently
discovered he would favor that.
Mr.. SEWARD obtained the floor.
He began by saying that the descendants Of the Dutch
coonsts of New York keep forever bright the memories
their fatherland When however he travelled in HoI
land he could hardly find there any lingering tradition
the settlement Of New Netherlands. 1t is always so The
affection OF emigrans for their native country always
greater than the sympaes of that country for its exes
The Senators from California yet the only representa-
ves here of society the Pacific coast committed
to this great measure and earnest in its support he
hoped ms arguments in response to them ad-
dressed to Senators from the Atlantic States they will do
nm the justice to reflect that it is only this side of the
Rocky Mountains that the and ice of Indifference
and prejudice resist conviction.
He would not say much concerning the details of the
Dill II he were allowed to prescribe route and the poll
cy OF constructing Pacific Railroad now he would pur
sue path which would be continuation the road that
our great Northwestern emigration has hitherto followed
He would discard all employment companies and all
grants Of public lands and would build the road mil
itary postal national highway with the money and cred
1t OF the Federal Government and surrender the lands
along the route to actual settlers free Of He would
increase the revenues bv an increase Of inosts and
create sinking fund to absorb gradually the public
debt But he had concurred in presenting this because
1t was the only alternative. He admitted the bill was
obnoxious to many objections. But it time for
delDeratlon to end and for action to begin. So, being
earnest in his desire for Pacific Railroad he would
cept this bill
He then answered successfully the many objections
urged against the construction of the road Commerce is
only an incidental interest in connection with the
1t Is wanted first and chiefly for postal and military pur
poseS-that is to say, political purposes 1t is grand
error to rely upon commerce for such highways terrific
res where society has be called existence or that
they can be dispensed with until society created The
treaty of Gaudaloupc Hdago extended the national urs
dction the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific and
from that moment the majority Of postal and
military highways it was disclosed Our
contentious in Utah Central America Mexico and with
France and England the legitimate consequences of
reliance routes through foreign countries instead
own He did not pretend to know how long intend to
nounder on IN this erroneous policy but is that the
interior region will not be settled until the road IS built
and that probably the Pacific States will not forever re
main united to the latter fnot united The fates
Always ouSy IN weaving fatal web on indOlent and i'm
proyident nations and it depends upon the action Con
gress now, whether Washington shall remain the Capitol
OF the whole United States only of the United States
the Atlantic.
He would not debate the constitutional power of Con
admit the power of Congress in case of real necessity to
construct post roads within organized territories of the
United States and in case of probable danger to
military roads. Let us impress the fact that the Ameri-
can people are thirty millions increase at the rate
of millions annually of free and ambitious men Such
people cannot remain stationary. Activity is a law writ
zen IN me social construction of all States Under its in
uence France has disturbed the two hemispheres for two
hundred years Great Britain has extended her domnions
around the earth Spain discovered and colonized half
the globe. Portugal reclaimed large portion
of it which before had been lost. The abolition Of
feudalism and slavery in modern Europe. and the
conversion of the Western nations Christianity are
the results of the national activity In obedience
to the law we have rescued the country we nbab
from the dominion of Span France Great Britain and
all our rescued diplomatic conflicts are so many mani
fesatons of the energy and ambition of Americans pro-
per 1t is obvious that this activity take either
martial or civic direction and that if it do receive
the latter from the hands Government it will force
Government to guide it into the former How otherwise
explain the constant agitation of the libuster movement
ostend Manifesto and the Monroe doctrine proceeds To
him 1t seems clear that this peaceful acting far more
than military activity, is for every nation safe, cheap
frugal Saving and increasing continually the number
and health of the nation War hazardous and desola
ng the greatest hencit being obtained at fearful cost
History teaches that the constant practice is
compatible with pcrmanence of system of seifgovern
ment II he were asked why the British this
continent is republican, he would say it is because the
national activity assumes peaceful character,
chlcal countries assume military
If the national activity is to have peaceful direction
1t must be confined in its energies chiefly within
territory. Our domain already broad enough and the
opportunity Tor activity with Ne
ceSsities of order, safety and union require conso
date energies within us The peacefuI raroad with
Its connections and lines of elcgraphs the augures by
which this consolidation must be Effected He does not
shrink from the enterprise because magntude-were
1t less formidable it would be less adapted to the spirit
and genius of the American people The enterprise not
really formidable considered in relation benefits Of
peace wealth and strength be from the agricu
of the region.
In conclusion, he would if the national activity is
to take peaceful and beneficial direction the response
bity of directing it belongs Congress 1t cannot be
left to the States The belong to the Federal
Government and it alone has power to act within the ter
ritories He called every Senator win for himself
the gratitude of poserity by connecting his with
this great work 1t seemed to him that there was no
easier way to win the character given by the Roman
historian to the honored Statesman "He labored for
earnestness."
The Senate then went into Executive session, and
afterwards adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The House met at II NJ.
Mr.. KELLOGG, of ILL.,, asked leave to introduce
resolution which, in substance, embodies the
following platform recently adopted by the leaders
OF the Republican party:
l. That all territorial officers should be elected
by the people.
2. That each actual settler is entitled to one
quarter section of public land upon settlement and
improvement for a stated period of time.
3. That Territorial Governments should be self
supporting and, therefore, that henceforth sala
rles nor other expenses incident to a Territorial
organization shall be paid out of the Federal
Treasury.
4. That whenever any Territory shall have popu-
lation equal to the then existing representative
ratio, it shall be authorized to form Constitution
which having been confirmed by the votes of major
ity of the people, may be presented to Congress
with an application of admission as q State.
Mr.. PHELPS, of Missouri, reported the General
Appropriation bill, which was referred to the Com
Mr.. PHELPS, of Mississippi, offered bill for the
of Dacotah Territory.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the Pension bill
Mr. CLARK, of Missouri, offered an amendment pro-
posing to include the territories as well as the
States, IN order to embrace in the benefits of the
bill those who were engaged in the Indian war in
1872 when Missouri was territory. Headvocated
the bill.
Mr.. ATKINS, of Tennessee, thought the provisions
of the bill should be restricted to the soldiers of
iSi2. ifit was loaded down with amendments the
bill would be killed.
Mr.. ATKINS argued to show the difference in the
claim which the veterans of 1912 had upon the
country as compared with those who had served in
more recent wars.
Mr.. KUNKEL, ofPennsylvania, claimed that Penn
sylvania was the soldier State of the Union, and
no Pennsylvania ever dared to vote against pen
sons to old soldiers, and he was glad that the SEN
tlment OF the State coincded with his own. He
could conceive of republican system of Govern
ment under which all officials should want for moth
ing, but that was only in the imagination He
thought soldiers who had fought for their country
and for pOsterty should be we'll paid. If the claim