, 1860-12-07
XX1yITH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION..

HoIsE-Alfer proceedings the bill passed.
1t provides that the word minimum be CON
strued according to the Land Graduation Act,
SO as to apply to alternate and reserved sec,
tions OF land granted for railroads OF other in
tcrnatc improvements aud in favor Of &C.
tual settlers, and not to mean one dollnr and ]
quarter per acre, lis now officially construed.
The Speaker appointed the following special
COMMITTEES under Boteler's resolution to CON
slider questions connected with the perilous
condition Of the country: Corwin Of Ohio.
chairman; Mlllson Of Virginia, Adams OF Mas
phrey Of New York, Doyce Of Sou.h Carolina,
Campbell of PENNSYLVANIA, Love Of Georgia.
Fcny Of Conn.,, Davis Of Maryland, Robinson
OF Rhode Island, Whitley Of Delaware, Tuppan
Of New Hampshire, Stratton Of New Jersey.
Bristo~ Of Kentucky, Morrill, Of Vermont,
Nelson Of Tennessee, Dunn Of Indiana, Taylor
oi Louisiana, Davis Of Mississippi, Kellogg Of
Illinois, Houston Of Alabama, Morse Of Maine,
Phelps OF Missouri, Rust Of Arkaneas, Howard
OF Michigan. Hawkins Of Florida, Hamilton OF
Texas, Washbnrne Of Wisconsin, Curtis of
Iowa, Burch Of California, Window Of Minue.
sofa, Stout Of Oregon.
The Speaker desired to say that the parlia-
mentary usage WIS to name on the committee
The mover Of the resolution under which the
committee was ordered to be formed. lie had
omitted the name Of Mr. Bote1er at that gen
flcman's own request. He had cndeayored to
appoint the committee to the best Of his judg-
mcnt and at tho earliest period, in view Of the
important business with which tho committee
was entrusted.
Mr. Hawkins, Of Florida, said. Last Tuesday
begged to be excused from voting. For sinlil-
ar reasons ask to be excused from serving
on this committee. I have Consulted viii,
older members as to whether it is voluntary
tee to serve, and have been informed that lieis
compelled by tho rules of the House to
serve unless excused, and that If Lc
does not serve, he subjects himself to some
thing like rcbuke OF rcprimand On the part Of
House. Now as long ns AMI member Of this
body am anxious to respect all its rules. aud
nun unwilling to draw upon myself 1ebukc Or
reprimand. I therefore ask the House to cx-
cnsc me from serving is member Of the COM
mittce- II ] an compelled by the rrles or
custom to serve, I will te II r. uninsportant,
inefficient member. I know l e1nnot act
with all the committee as 10 the idea Of getfin.
up committee with unanimity, peace and III
a Union saving manner, have been opposed
to anything Of thatlkind in the past, aud am
now believing that the time for compromise
has passed forever.
Mr. John Coch1anc Of New York said that
be had heard, with great deal Of regret, biz
friend ask to be excused from service Oh the
committee. 1t has well been said here, to day,
in the Chaplain's prayer, that the gray shadow
of the dark wing Of dissolution has been cx-
tended over our House aud country, and so
deep is tho gloom that We can scarcely discern
one glcam Of light to enable us 10 trans
net the ordinary business Of legislation. Mems
minds hayc been devoted for weeks past to the
great and absorbing topic of controversy
which cnlists all thoughts mud demands Of cv-
cry individual his best A.xcrtions and his
purcst emotions anu wisdom. 1t is Of impor-
II. &c to this issue that the republic should
command the exenious and efforts Of ali ite
Hff f1f,{ia fS, nr,%3Ae e%
crisis, with perils impending over the couutry,
that there is no reason why this House, repre-
sentinE the patriotism and wisdom of the
country, should excuse the gentleman from
Florida. believe that from all parts Of his
State, where the people arc looking with eoli-
eyes, IL the yoicc Of his constituents could be
heard, 1t wonld be In tones besccchlng and ap-
pealing to their representative to stand for
ward In this issue. and assume the brunt Of the |
controversy. lie did not believe with the gen
tlcman, It WAS important to the welfare of |
the country that there should be a unanimous
report on the subject Eh'ch has been re-
ferTcd to the Committee. However, God grant |
It may be-fApplausc In the galleries, accom- |
panied by cries Of order on the door.] God |
grant that It may be stamped with the unan-
Unity which patriotism demands. If this |
country is not to be saved; If patriotism is not
sufficient to command this glorious result, it !
is due to the people Of the United Suites TINT |
they should know it. It Is due TO tho bcni.ht-
ed regions Of the country that the facts should |
be impressed on their minds, and icnorancc no |
longer be pleaded as m excuse for the acts |
which have brought us to this fearful prrcI-
pice. II VIC are DOT to have unanimous r.
port to save the country from the pancs and
agony OF secession. let Us know what dcTands
arc made by one section Of the country from ]
the other, and let US feel what is the puIsation
Of the country, and let US answer ;h. cxclarn-
ato1y inquiry. tllat comes from cyery nor
ton Of the land, .WMchmon. what az tbe
night !" clearly and conclusirci11 Wv xhett,er
storms and mndncts ruic the hoIr. whether
there is a harblncer of peacc. or whciher th-r.
is one CLEAN Of morning in which we may ret
disce1n the stars and stripes floating rom
yonder dome ~
These remarks were greeted with applause,