The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-02-02

life A struggle has risen, vital to the Govern
ment itself. The bill of indictment against the
south is, that slavery is immoral, unjust, and
crime; and. secondly, that this is a CONSOLE
dated, national Democracy. He conceded
that the sentiments of the fathers of the Repub-
Inc were anti-slavery; but what did they do
Fresh from the battle fields of the Revolution,
they made pro-slavery Government They
made fugitive slave law, and erected Terri.
tory after Territory with slavery therein. He
defended the institution of slavery. Instead,
as claimed, of being the creature of local law, it
was established by the Old Testament, and
recognised by the New. After referring to
Northern aggressons, he asked what was the
policy of the South? His advice was to pre-
pare for dissolution. If the contingency come.
she will be ready. If not, she will only have
adopted wise precaution.
MIR. Boteler, of Virginia, had no general
speech to make. 1t was expected, and the
country desired, that they should perform their
DUTY. In the language of a distinguished Vir-
ginian, they have country to serve as we'll as
party to obey. There were three parties
here-the Democrats, the South Americans,
and the AntiLecomptonites. These have al
lowed their party prejudices to interfere with
their patriotism. There could be no election
till all these parties unite against the Republi
cans. Virginia had now to depend on herself
She said that Mr.. Sherman could not be
elected; for one, she was willing to die here
before she would consent to the adoption of the
plurality rule.
Mr.. Etheridge said it had been two weeks
since vote was taken, and he thought there
ought now to be one.
Mr.. Ashmore, of South Carolina, made some
explanation with reference to the resolution
which he introduced this morning for the ex-
pulsiOn of the reporter of the New York Her.
aid. de said that in the House report of the
proceedings, as published in that paper, had
been interpolated a ealumny ON Mr.. Pryor,
calling him dirty liar and libeller. He said
the reporter had made fair and impartial re-
port, bat thought that the editor ought to be
punished.
Mr.. Colfax thought it would be nothing more
than just to commence at the right place, and
reminded gentlemen of the fact that the Con-
stttut'on newspaper had called Republicans
traitors
Mr.. Ashmore withdrew his resolution, saying
that the House could not act upon it during
Its present non-organization.
MIR. Stevens, of Pa, made speech, setting
forth the principles of the Republican party.
Mr.. Etheridge made humorous speech on
the subject of organization, promising that, if
gentlemen would not talk any more, they would
get an organization in less than two weeks.
The House then proceeded to vote for
Speaker, with the following result: Whole num-
Der of votes, 2l5 necessary to a choice, l08.
Mr.. Sherman received l05; Mr.. Bocock, 81 !;
Mr.. Smith, of N. Co. 26. The remainder scat
tering.
The House adjourned.
Thursday, January 26, 1860
SENATE.
Mr.. Rice introduced bill to relieve the mail
contractors.
Mr.. Bright introduced resolution to in
crease the Committee on Claims to seven.
Adopted.
the additional members.
Mr.. Hunter moved that Mr.. Douglass reso-
luton, in regard to the suppression of invasions
by citizens of one State or Territory upon those
of another, be taken up and made the special
order for Tuesday next at half past one o'clock,
as he wished to address the Senate upon that
subject.
mr. Davis hoped that the resolution would
not be again called up. 1t proposed to instruct
the Committee on the Judiciary to report bill
in reference to a subject which had already
been placed in the hands of select commit
tee. If it was the wish of the Senate to take it
out of their hands, and intrust it to the Judicial
ry Committee, they ought to know it. He sup
posed that the Senator from Illinois had only
introduced this resolution for the purpose of
making speech on it; and having accomplish
ed that object, the resolution might as well be
suffered to drop.
Mr.. Hunter said, since the gentleman from
Mississippi objected, he would withdraw his
motion.
Mr.. Davis called attention to some portions
of the speech of Mr.. Douglas in which he ap
peared to do inj Justice to the President He rep
resented the President assuming the posi-
ton, in his correspondence with Governor Wise,
that the Federal Government had no power to
interfere, whereas all the President said was
that under the Constitution and existing laws
he had no power to interfere. He then sent to
the Secretarys desk the correspondence alluded
to, which was read.
Mr.. Douglas replied that the Senator from
Mississippi could not have read his speech very
carefully. He had made no issue with the
President, but, on the contrary, expressly dis
claimed any such thing His object was, to OBJ
| tain suitable legislation to prevent and punish
similar evils in future. If there were no laws
for that purpose now, Congress ought to enact
suitable laws to the extent that the Constitution
authorizes. What he had in view was, to show
the necessity of legislation by Congress.
Hr. Hunter renewed his motion to make the
resolution the special order for Tuesday next ;
which was agreed to.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
resolutions of Mr. Brown, which were discussed
Yesterday; when Mr.. Wilson replied at great
length to the remarks of MIR. Davis, made yes
terday.
Mr.. Hammond replied to Mr.. Wilson.
The Senate adjourned until Monday next
HOUSE.
On motion of Mr.. Etheridge, there was a call
of the House, with the view of affording the
absentces time to arrive, preliminary to voting
for Speaker.
The proceedings under the call occupied
nearly an hour.
Mr. Wnslow, in order further to procure the
attendance of the absentees, moved to adjourn.
This motion was determined in the mega
tive--yeas 80, nays 100.
Mr. Wnslow, of North Carolina, moved that
the House proceed to the election of a Speaker
cied U0ce.
Mr. Hickman said he understood that gen.
eral arrangement was consented to yesterday,
that the House would for two weeks vote for
the election of a Speaker, unless one should
sooner be elected.
He did not intend to oppose a ballot to-day,
although he did not feel himself bound by that
arrangement He should, however, withhold
his vote until it could be of some avail. He
would not engage in this worse than ridiculous
farce.
The Clerk then proceeded to call the roll.
When the name of Mr.. Hamilton was reach
ed, that gentleman, after thanking his friends
for the support which they had given him, with
drew his name from the contest.
He said, in conclusion, that whatever might
be said on the other side as to the advantages