The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-28
PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRTY.SIYTH CONGRESS,
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, December 25,-The Senate was not


Mr.. Moore, of Kentucky, (AIr. Smith of Virgil |
mia, yielding the fioor,) offered resolution-which
was read for information-that the Hon. A lexander
Il. Boteler be declared Speaker of the House for
the Thirty-sixth Congress.
Mr.. BINGHAM and Mr.. BARKsDALE severally OBJ
jected to the resolution as out of order.
Mr.. McCLRRNAND moved that the name of John
6. Davis, of Indiana, be substituted.
The CLERK said that the resolution was out of |
order, as objections had been made and other cues
tiOns were pending.
Mr.. MooRE remarked that he introduced the res
olution honestly, hoping that it would meet the |
appreciation of the majority of the House. He |
trusted all had earnestly endeavored since the first
day OF meeting, to effect organization, and been
governed by the same honesty, candor, and frank |
ness by which he himself had been actuated
Mr. BARKSDALE reminded the gentleman that the |
resolution had been objected to- and the gentleman
therefore, had no right to debate the subject.
Mr. MOORE replied that the gentleman from Vir-
ginia had yielded the floor to him.
Mr.. SMITH said that he did so for the purpose of
hearing what that gentleman had to saw
Mr.. MOORE replied, all he wanted the gentleman
to hear was what he had to say. Laughter
Mr.. SMITH supposed that what Mr.. Moore had to
say was embraced in his resolution and that he had
no idea of yielding the floor for him to debate
Mr.. MOORE was exceedingly grateful to the gen
teman for permitting the resolution to be read and
had nothing further to say.
Mr.. kILGoRE appealed to Mr.. Smith to forego
his remarks until tomorrow, in order that the
House ght vote for Speaker until two o'clock to-
day and then adjourn.
Mr.. BARKsDALE suggested that it would be bet
ter to adjourn now.
Mr.. Smith was willing to weld the floor for that
purpose.
Mr.. STEWART, of Maryland, thought Mr. Smith
had better conclude his speech now.
Mr.. SMITH accordingly resumed his remarks He
declared himself sincere and loyal friend to the
Constitution and the Union. He was an advocate
OF no new or lnfiammatOry doctrines: he wanted no
modern innovations, but desired to uphold the Con
sttution as it was penned by our fathers He then
replied to the arguments of the Republicans found
ed on the assertion in the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, that all men are created equal, by saving
that instrument was formed bv freemen, and not
slaves 1t was treemen who proposed to sever the
relations with the mother country, and form in
dependent government for themselves. In the Ar
tcles OF Confederation, free inhabitants speci
cally mentioned, showing that slaves not in
cluded. Then followed the adoption of the Consti-
tuition; but negroes were no parties to the forma-
ton of that istrument.
The Constitution provides for the return of fugi
tive slaves. Mr.. S. proceed to allude to several
cases which had arisen under that clause Gen.
Washington himself, on one occasion, attempted to
reclaim fugitive slave. The case of Prigg Us.
pennsylvania was also commented on The ap-
gresslons on the subject of slavery have uniformly
come from the North, and that section is Justly
chargeaole with all the agitation that has grown
out OF these aggressions. Mr. S. gave history of
the principal events connected with this important
subject including the Louisiana purchase the adj
mission OF Missouri, the efforts of Henry Clay on
that occasion, quoting the authority of Jefferson,
Madison and Munroe, against the Missouri restric-
tlons The Northern aggressions did not originate
IN love TOR the negro, but in lust for political
| power.
| In the course of his remarks some one sent him
glass OF egg-nogg, of which he partook, wishing
| several hours
While Mr.. Smith was speaking, another glass of
| egg-nogg was sent up to him; of which he par
Mr. KTTGOpE yvisbad 70 lynorr ,rbo+bo, 4bot ,uo.
in order, while other gentlemen were precluded
! from such indulgences.
Mr.. BURNETT desired to know whether this was
| private treat Laughter
| Mr.. MOORE, of Kentucky, said that if the House
would adjourn they could all get some.
The CLERK, in reply to Mr.. Burnett, said that he
was unable to decide that point of order, but, if the
| gentleman desired, he would put the question to
the House. Renewed laughter
MI; MOORE said it was truly remarked the other
DAY that even the negroes in the Southern States
nave holiday for week, Christmas times, and he
wanted to go home to Kentucky for a week
After further proceedings the question was taken
on adjournment, and decided in the negative, yeas
| 70, nays 100.
resolution was adopted that no vote for Speaker
be taken before o'clock tomorrow.
There was very much confusion. some gentlemen
being anxious for adjournment, while others
were DESTROYS to remain.
| During the conversation which took place on the
subject of an adjournment, Mr. Webster said that
hitherto he had always voted yea on motions to ad-
Journ, Knowing that no damage to the country
could be done when the House was not in session.
Having been home and consulted his constituents
and being satisfied that the crisis is past he should
now change his course and vote against it.
Mr.. HUGHES, believing that the crisis was not vet
passed. would vote yea for the reason stated by his
| colleague.
Mr. HILL remarked that some distinguished man
had said that all things must have an end, and he
presumed that Mr.. Smiths speech would have an
end. Laughter He would move that Mr.. Smith
be permitted to continue his remarks until they
were finished, and that the House stand adjourned
until their conclusion.
Mr.. SMITH earnestly said he did not see why gen
temen should wish to treat him in that way. He
had yielded the floor day after day. and now, after
he had indicated wish from the beginning to
crafty number OF gentlemen who wished to adj
Journ, there seemed to be an effort made to treat
him with disrepect and force him to speak to
empty benches. He knew not why he was so
treated-by friends as well as foes
Finally the House adjourned.
SENATE.
TUESDAY, Dec. 27.-A message was received from
the President of the United States by the hands o
his private Secretary.
Mr.. IvERsoN moved that it be taken up and read
Mr.. CoLLAMER objected on the ground that the
Senate was now very thin, and when they were
last together there distinct understanding
that no business should be done during christina
week The reception of the message was a mere
matter of form, but the reading of it was an act
1t was very often the case that gentlemen wished t.
be heard on the subject-matter of the message i'm
mediatey upon its being read. fit is read now i
ought to be read again when the Senate was full
Mr.. DAVIS did not see how listening to the read
ing of the message could be considered an act of thu
Senate's, although order to print might be. |
was the Presidents duty to give Congress informa
ton with regard to the affairs of the country IL,
has chosen to send the message at time when M
action could be taken on it, but we were bound
to hear it. We have no right to enter into any
agreement at any time which will deprive thu
President nra oOf
muncating his views to Congress.
Mr.. FEssENDEN asked whether motion was re
CURED to read it, or whether it would be read as
matter of course.
Mr.. DAVIS said motion had been made that i
be read but objection having been made, it wa
for the Senate to decide.
Mr. FEssENDEN replied that it would then requir,
the action of the Senate before il could be read
As the Senate was under an obligation of honor t.
take no action to-day, it could not be read.
Mr.. DAVIS rejOned that this very gooC
argument against the propriety of entering into
such an agreement as the Senate made the othel
day. He objected to it then on the ground tina
the President might send in his message and there
might be matter in that message which would rem
der it necessary for the Senate to send for absen
tees and rescind their agreement. If the Presiden
thinks proper to send in a message at this time, i
is the duty of the Senate to hear it.
Mr.. BAYARD concurred in the views of Mr.
Davis.
The question being taken by yeas and NAYS, tn,
u.
1t was then read by the Secretary, occupying
an hour and half. Its reading being concluded
Mr. Brown said that at some proper time he de
sired to make some remarks upon the message. H
would not do now, he did not wish to VIOLATE
the agreement that had been entered into HI
would suggest that it be laid on the table for tn
present.
Mr.. CLINGMAN thought the best way would be t
postpone its further consideration until the Sd o
January.
Mr.. BRIGHT saw no reason why the usual cours
should not be followed, and moved that the mes
the use of the Senate. He would not ask the i'm
mediate consideration of that motion. 1t could b.
entered the journal and lie over; for no printer
had as vet been elected.
That course was pursued, and then the Senat
adjourned until Friday next.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The President the United States sent in his an
nual message, but it not read.
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia, resumed his remark
from yesterday, showing that there was no peac
resulting from the Compromise measures of 1850
for the pulpits and the Abo,itonists of the North
from the first made war upon them. He stated
that William Lloyd Garrison was, as he had been in
formed unnaturalized Englishman. If this were
not so, he desired a contradiction OF his assertion
He said that the South had right to demand 0
the North the putting down of treason. and the
stoppage of incendiary publications, and that tn
South must arm to provide against such forays a
those of John Brown at Harper's Ferry. The,
must pursue defensive policy, and prepare for thu
wrath to come.
Mr.. Saith spoke for nearly three hours to-day
When he concluded his remarks,
Mr.. HOUSToY asked leave to offer resolution il
IN no Eo