Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-03-24
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.


MARCH IS.-The Senate resolved to hold
an evening session, and sat till nearly Ii o.
clock. Mr.. Green offered resolution of in
quiry with reference to the massacre of emf
grants in Utah. Mr.. Toombs made speech
on the Kansas question, in which he disposed
of the Union somewhat cavalierly, and eulo-
gized Northern doughfaces, as surprising in
heroism the Greeks at Marathon and Their
mopyle. Mr. Crittendcn rejoined, and was
followed by Mr.. Bell, who thoroughly review
ed the history OF the Kansas perfidy, and ira
ced it to the spirit of disunionism rampant in
the South. Mr.. Foster of Connecticut has
the floor to-day. In the House, the discus
sion of Mr.. Quitman's Army bill was continu-
ed, Messrs. Savage, Washburne, Humphrey
Marshall, Faulkner, Smith, Blair, Quitman
and Morris participating.
MARCH l9.-The Senate adopted Mr.. Gwin's
resolution of inquiry as to the massacre of
emigrants in Utah. joint resolution of the
Legislature of Ncw-Mexieo respecting the
proposed Territory of Arizona was received
and referred. Mr.. Foster of Connecticut,
spoke against Lecompton, and Mr. Clay of
Alabama, against pure Democracy and in IA
vor Of disunion, in case the Republican party
should take the reins of Government. His
views were criticised By Mr.. Houston. Aspcech
by Mr.. Durkee occupied the residue OF the
session, which was prolonged till ) 5o'clock.
The House OF Representatives decided, by
the strong vote of li3 to AZ, against any in
crease of our Standing Army, and in favor of
49, -
| five regiments of Volunteers, to be employed
in settling our Mormon and Indian troubles.
| The Army bill, in this shape, passed the House
| by a vote of l2t to 73. Whether the Senate
which recently voted down such bill by a.
bout two to one-will agree to this one, we
cannot guess and do not care. We have more
troops already than either need or can af-
ford. For the innoxious shape thus given to
the proposed Army increase, the country is
largely indebted to the good sense and indie
pendence of Gen. QuitmaD, Chairman of the
House Military Committee Gen. Q. is an ex-
cellent soldier, who has commanded volunteers
and served with regulars, and knows, by per-
sonal observations and experience, that the
former is not merely preferable but the only
| iOECc WHICH ucSuo w
| Volunteers rarely desert-they are only TO be
| paid when they are wanted-and there is the
same difference between them and regulars as
| between the farmer working his own land and
| the hireling. The thoroughness is all on the
| side of the former. The precise proposition
thus affirmed by large majorities in either
House is simply that our Army shall not be
| increased beyond its present legal limit, but
the principle goes much further. If volun-
teers are preferable to regulars for the new re-
| gimeuts now asked for, they are equally pre-
I ferabIe for the old regiments, and should be
substituted so far as possible. When will
Congress have the nerve to vote that all fu-
ture accessions TO our Military force shall con-
sist of Volunteers =! Messrs. Montgomery oil
Pennsylvania and Reagan of Texas spoke up
| on the Kansas question.