Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-31

ER A / A D Y b + I
side. Mr.. Raymond, of Marion, made some re-
marks against dissolution of the Union, ano
some confusion arising, the House adjourned.
SATURDAY -Senate-N othing of interest.
House.-The resolution for joint Committee
to confer with the South Carolina Commission
or, was returned from the Senate with an a.
mendment charging the Committee. Mr.. NC
Kenzie moved the definite postponement OF the
resolution. Mr. Kemper opposed the motion.
| Mr. Hopkins, Chairman of the Committee, al
Iuded to remarks made on Friday. charges OF
unfairness &C., and asked to be excused from
serving, saying he would suffer the severest pen
atty before he would serve
| Mr.. Dickinson disclaimed any intention to re-
| fleet upon the fealty of the Western part OF the
State, but he wanted the East to be equally rep
resented on the Committee
! Mr.. Seldom said he and the Speaker were the
only parties interested in the remarks he MAO
made the day before. What he bad said was
said deliberately. If the Chairman of the Com
mittee was excused he claimed the same prlve-
lege.
| Mr.. Barbour opposed the withdrawal of MIR.
Hopkins from the Committee. To show what
his (Mr. B's) sentiments were, he had read a
preamble and resolutions, expressing great re-
gard for South Carolina, &C., &C., but declining
to appoint Commissioners to Southern Con-
vention.
| Mr.. Christian also opposed the withdrawal OF
Mr.. Hopkins, and offered resolution expressing
confidence in the honest intentions of the Speak
er, and refusing to excuse Mr.. Hopkins.
| Mr.. VERIFY took the same view of the matter as
Mr. Christian Other members joined in the de
bate, and finally, the vote being taken, the
House rejected Mr.. McKenzie's motion to post
pone the resolution. 1t then refused to adopt
the resolution as amended by the Senate.
Mr.. Duckwall offered joint resolution dis
charging the Committee from the further con-
sideration of the subject. Laid over.
The Speaker (Mr. Crutchfeld) asked Mr.. Sed-
don to explain in what manner he lad been
guilty of unfai.ness to him. Mr.. S. replied that
out of the House was the proper place to answer
questions on the subject. The matter was
dropped, and the House adjourned.
Thirty-Sixth Congress-First Session.
MONDAY, January %, Enthusiastically
order of the day, Mr.. Douglas resolution, was
called up. Mr.. Douglas made a long speech, in
which he took the ground that it was the duty
of Congress to pass laws giving the President
power to use the naval and military forces of
the Government to repel invasions between diff
ferent States; and also to make it criminal to
enter into conspiracies or combinations in any
State or Territory, with intent to invade State
or modest its government, its peace, it's citizens,
its property, or its institutions. He said the
Harper's Ferry crime was the natural result of
the doctrines and teachings of the Republican
party.
Mr.. Fessenden replied, denying that the Re-
publican party were responsible for Browns Vir
GINA raid, and advocated legislation to prevent
similar occurrences He said he thought Mr..
Douglas was Influenced by Interior motives in
making this speech at this time, when the sub
| iect was in the hands of an able committee ap-
pointed to investigate the affair.
| House.-Mr. Barksdale, of Miss, delivered a
Southern speech. Mr.. COrWin spoke in defence
of the Republicans.
TUEsDAY.-Senate.-M Rice submitted
resolution, which lies over, for the organization
of Dacotah Territory.
The resolution of Mr.. Douglas being taken up,
Mr.. Toombs made q Speech in which be charged
| that the Republican party sought to overthrow
the Constitution; and declared that the election
of Black Republican President would be
ground for the South to reoede from the Union.
The South would not wait for any overt act,
but meet the enemy at the threshold and drive
them back, or tear down the pillars of the Tenn
pie of Liberty, and overwhelm all in one uni
versal ruin. Other Senators followed in the de-
bate.
Hosss.-After an amcable alteration be-
tween Mr. McClernand, Douglas Democrat, of
Ill.,, and Mr.. Farnsworth, Republican, of same
State, Mr.. Corwin resumed and finished his
speech.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Wilson, of Mass,
made strong anti-savery speech, and was re-
piled to by Messrs. Clingman, of N. c., and Da-
Wis. of Miss.
House-Mr. Keitt of S. O., during a strong
Southern speech, said the South should prepare
for dissolution; if dissolution do not come, the
South will have shown wise precaution.
/ Mr., Etheridge, Of Tenn, made humorous
speech, promising that if gentlemen would cease
talking for about two weeks, they would get an
organization before the end of that time.
Another vote was taken for Speaker, result
ing: Sherman, I05; Bocock, 81 Smith, of n
O., 26. Whole number of votes, 215; necessary
to choice, 109
THURSDAY 3Ssna5e.-Mr. Wilson concluded
bis speech, and was followed by Messrs. Wigfall,
Of Texas, and Davis, of MISS.
| A colloquy took place between Messrs Davis
and Douglas, as to the construction of the lat
ter's resolution, for the federal interpostion to
prevent the invasion of one State or Territory by
another. Mr.. Davis 1ntlmated that the resOlu-
tion if passed. would enable the Executive to
violate the sovereignty OF States. Mr.. Douglas
met the point with great energy. Adjourned
till Monday.
'House.-Mr. Hamilton withdrew his name as
a candidate for the speakership. He said dis
solution was now upon US, but the conservative
elements of the country might avert it.
Three ballots were taken for Speaker, the last
resulting as follows; Sherman, 1O9; Bocock,
81 Smith, of n O., SO; Gilmer 4. Necessary
to choice, ia.
FRIDAY. -House-After some preliminary
discussion, Mr.. Smith. of N. O., was put in NOM
ination by the Southern Opposition, and as the
ballot progressed, several gentlemen who had
previously voted with the Republicans voted for
Mr. Smith. An opportunity to elect national
man being offered, the Democrats generally
changed their votes and supported Mr.. Smith.
| These changes were accompanied by interroga-
tions, explanations, and appeals for union, crea-
ting feeling of intense excitement. At one
stage of the ballot Mr.. Smith was within two
votes of an election, but as finally announced
the ballot stood as follows whole number of
votes 228; necessary to a choice 1l5; of which
Mr. Smith received 112, the highest vote yet
cast for any candidate, Mr.. Sherman JOG, Mr..
Oorwin 4, and six were scattered Immediately
after the announcement of the vote the Repub
| lioans succeeded in carrying motion for ad-
journment until Monday.