The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-12-11
CONGRESS.

Congress met Monday the Sd inst. Nearly all the
southern members present. Messrs Smith and
Vance of this State, and Dir Miles of S. c. absent
On Tuesday the 4th, the Presidents Message was
read In the Senate Mr. Clingman of N G. moved that
1t be printed although he said he regarded unsatis
factory In the present condition of things He thought
it fell short of investigating the crisis He declared
his belief that many of the southern States would fol-
low South Carolina in secession and he thought the
wisest thing Congress could do would be to divide the
public property fai<ly possible after paying the
public debts He did think that the southern States
were acting precipitately. In conclusion, Mr. c. said
that our trne policy to The issue-if can
maintain personal safety let hold the Gov
eminent; If not, we must take of ourselves at all
hazards He thought this the feeling prevailed
in North Carolina We have received copy of Mr.
Cngman's Speech in full, and will try to make room
for it in our next.
Mr. Crittenden said he was for preserving the Union
and hoped that the example of the gentleman from c.
would not be followed He viewed disunion with fear
and trembling, and hoped for reconciliation and har-
mony. lie hoped there would be no angry debates.
Mr. Cngman said he approved the desire to preserve
the union but when it ceased protect his people,
North Carolina will bid it good bye
In the House of Representatives after the reading of
the Presidents Message Mr. Boteler of Va moved to
refer that portion relating secession to committee
OF one from each State. After efforts at amend
ment, the motion was adopted-yeas las, noes 49, The
>. C. members and some of those from Georgia, Ala
bama, Miss. and Florida refused to vote saying that
their States had called Conventions settle difficulties
Among those who did vote were Messrs Craige and
Rufin of this State. Mr. Winsow was appointed a
member of the committee for N c., though it is stated
that he and other southern members decline o serve
in the Senate, on Wednesday, Mr. Hale of New Hamp-
shire, caused some excitement by speech He said
that if secession persisted in, war was inevitable
Mr. Iverson of Ga said he did think there would be
war, but if it to that the invaders of the South
would be welcomed with bloody hands to hospitable
graves He declared that FIVE of the southern States
would secede if the northern States repeal
their laws preventing the execution of the Fugitive
eved there would be peaceable separation and that
Miss and Ga would leave the Union before the 4th of
March-peaceably if they could forcbly if they
Mr. Green of Missouri, offered resolution directing
the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the expediency
of establishing armed police force between the free
and slave States for the protection of property and the
more etectuai execution of the fugitive slave law He
addressed the Senate and said that the election of Lin
coin violation of the spirit of the Constitution
and If the question could be before the Supreme
Court he had no doubt that the election of Lincoln
would be pronounced unconstitutional
Gen Lane said that the multiplying laws of the north
States must be repealed and guarantees given
to preserve the Union.
Mr. Salisbury of Delaware. said his State was the
first to adopt the Constitution, and would be the last
to countenance separation. When the Union is de-
stroyed by the madness of extremists said he it will be
time enough for his State to determine what to do.
The House passed the Homestead bill by Sc majority
On Thursday. the Senate appointed committee of 8
on secession matters. Both Houses adjourned to
Monday