The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-01-31
CONGRESS.

The following is the resolution offered by Mr.
Douglas for the protection of each State and Terri
tory against invasion by the citizens of any other
State or Territory:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary
be Instructed to report bill for the protection of
each State and Territory of the Union against in
vasion by the authorities or inhabitants of any
other State or Territory; and for the suppression
and punishment of conspracies combinations in
any State or Territory with intent to invade as
sail, or modest the government, inhabitants proper
ty, or institutions of any other State Territory
of the Union.
In the Senate, on the 23d inst, the above reso-
luton was called up and Mr. Douglas made long
speech, in which he took the ground that it was
the duty of Congress to pass laws giving the Presi
dent power to the land and naval forces of the
government to repel invasons between different
States, and also to make it criminal to enter into
conspiraces or combinations in any State Terri
tory, with intent to invade State, modest or
disturb its government, its peace its citizens, its
property or its institutions-such offences to be
punished by Indictment in the United States courts,
and confinement in the prisons or penitentiaries Of
the State or territory where the conspiraces might
be formed He said the Harpers Ferry crime
the natural, logical, inevitable result of the doc
trines and teachings of the republican party as
explained and enforced in their platform, their
partisan presses, their pamphlets and books, and
especially in the speeches of their leaders in and
out of Congress.
MIR Fessenden, Rep, replied to Mr. Douglas, deny
ing that the republican party were responsible for
Browns Virginia 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 subject
was in the hands of an able committee, appointed
to investigate the affair."
Mr. Douglas responded, defending the institution
of slavery, and denouncing the Black Republicans.
In the House, Mr. Barksdale, of Miss made a
Southern speech, in which he reiterated that he
was in favor of resisting the Inauguration of "a
Black Republican President.
Mr. Pryor's excoriation of JAS Gordon Bennett,
editor of the N. Y. Herald, was very severe. MIR
Sherman declined to respond to any questions
less Mr. Clark would withdraw his resolution, which
declares that no man who endorsed Helpers book
is fit to be Speaker of the House. Mr. Clark, of
Missouri, said that Mr. Sherman had several OPP
portunities of explaining his position. If there
was bad blood, as had been charged, it was pro-
duced by the Republicans before Congress assem-
bled, by the shedding of good blood by old Browns
party in Virginia. He said that Mr. Sherman had
passed his day of grace. Mr Sherman and his
friends had been indicted before the country, and
must stand their trial. He never would withdraw
his resolution.
In the House on the 25th, one ballot was had
for Speaker, with the following result: Sherman
1O5, Bocock 81, Smith, of N. G., 26; necessary to
a choice 10S.
In the Senate, on the Goth, debate sprung up
between Messrs Davis and Douglass in which the
former intimaed that the resolution of the latter
would enable the Federal Executive to encroach
States Rights, and in that would change
the present policy. Mr. Douglas met the imputa
ton with great energy.
In the House, Mr. Hamilton withdrew his name
candidate for Speaker. Three ballots were
had for Speaker, the last resulting as follows:
Sherman lO9 Bocock 81, Smith, of N. c., SO,
Gilmer Necessary to choice IA.