The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-12-22
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

NEWS FROM WASH1NG TON.
WASHINGTON Dec 17-Hon. j. S. Black the
Attorney General, has been confirmed by the
Senate to-day, as the successor of Gen. Cass.
The Committee of Thirty-three are terribly
scared. They went to work to-day, determined
to hit upon some expedient by which, it possible,
to retain in Congress the representatives Of all the
other cotton States excepting South Carolina
They are in hopes of being able, ultimately,
to work out some plan to restore harmony. Mr.
Reuben Davis, of Mississippi, made a prospostion
recognizing slavery the Territories. The Re-
publicans opposed the proposition, and Mr. Davis
withdrew, and was afterwards excused by the
House from serving the Committee.
The President, in conversation with Gen. Scott,
alleged that he had positive assurances from the
Governor of South Carolina, that the forts near
Charleston will not be interfered with.
The New York Delegation met last night, and
declared that the Union shall be maintained at
every hazard.
Senator Wade, of Ohio, is not in favor of CO.
ercing the South, but is uncompronisingly against
all concess ion. He says he would not preserve
the Union at the sacrifice of his principles
Tn the Committee of 33, on Friday, Mr. Corwin
of Ohio made a speech of conciliatory character.
He expressed the belief that the present excite
ment has mainly grown out of the Presidential
election, and for that he thought the Presl-
dental term of office ought to be extended, but
he did not state how long. He believed Congress
has the same control over slavery in the Territories
that State has over affairs within its own limits.
He said these were his convictions, and he could
not avoid an expression of them He defended
the position of MIR Lincoln as impresnable He
could not see anything in Mr. Lincoln's speeches
to warrant the attack that has been made upon
him, nor in the manner in which the recent cam
paign had been carried on by the Republicans.
He said he thought there would be no trouble in
arranging the Fugitive Slave law according to the
plan suggested by Fl. Winter Davis, requiring
Marshas to deliver fugitves to the District Judge
in the district escaped from and guaranteeing
jury trial of identity this to be in lieu of Personal
Liberty bills, and to guard against kidnapping.
Mr. Corwin submitted his proposition in substance
as follows:-That the people of each Territory in
the United States shall, by constitutional law, have
entire control over all subjects, independent of
Congress, and as it comes to have suf-
fcent population for one representative in Con-
gress, shall be admitted State with or without
slavery the people may indicate in their Con-
sttution, which shall be duly submitted to the
people for their ratification.
Mr. Rust, of Arkansas, submitted an amend
ment, that during their Territorial condition
slavery shall be protected within the Territories.
Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, was opposed to tinker
ing up the Fugitive slave law and Personal Liberty
bills in the committee, they could be regulated
by Congress
Mr. kellogg, of Illinois, submitted plan, as
follows
First-The speedy organization of all the Ter
ritories of the United States.
Second-The election by the people within the
Territories of all their Territorial officers.
Third-The donation of one hundred and sixty
acres of land to each actual settler.
Fourth-The delegation of legislative power
over all subjects not inconsistent with the Con-
sttution of the United States.
Fifth-Whenever there shall be sufficient
number of inhabitants to form State government
they shall be admitted as State, with or without
slavery, the people may decide by a majority
vote, fairly taken, provided their Constitution is
Republican in form.
Mr. Kellogg spoke at some length in support of
his proposition, and then proceeded to defend MIR
Lincolns policy. He declared him to be opposed
to any interference with slavery in the States
where it exists under the Constitution; that Mr.
Lncoln's wish is to bring back the question where
the fathers had placed it; that ne was in ia, or of
efficient Fugitive Slave law. Mr. Kellogg ar
gued that the fathers of the country were opposed
to the further spread of the institution of slavery
and is MIR Lincoln. He said the 'irrepressble
conflict" doctriue frequently charged upon Mr.
Lincoln was the result of the opposing forces on
the subject within the slave States themselves the
systems of free labor being antagonistic. Mr. Kel-
logg sustained his positions by quotations from Mr.
Lincoln's published speeches, and his remarks
were frequently interrupted by Southern men,
bers, who questioned Mr. Kellogg relative to Mr.
Lncoln's views.
Remarks were made by others, but to no important
point.