Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-13
THIRTY sixth COsGREsS-SecOnd Session.
WAsHISGroS, Dec. II, 1860.
CENv M

ceived
Mr.. Rice objected to taking it up.
| Mr. Cameron favored doing so, and the Senate voted
| 10 take il up-yeas 80, nays "a.
Mr.. Rice moved its reference TO the committee Oh
| finance and the Senate so referred It.
| The resolution providing for tho reference oil that
norton of the Presidents message relative 10 the AFFAIRS
| of the coniederacy was taken up.
| Mr. Hale offered resolution that the committee on
military affairs be instructed toinquire whether the er-
penses of that branch Of the public service cannot De
reduced without derimen TO the public safety, ana II
they can that they TO be further instructed 10 re-
port to what extent, and what particular oranch or
| branches can be dispensed with or reduced Passed
When the resolutions relative TO the secession portion
of the Presidents message aken up Mr. Bger look
the floor from yesterday, and said i was my inten-
ton Yesterday, 10 indicate my own position on the
great bueson which has agitated the people oil TINS
Country This is nv only purpose this morning shall
reserve for some subsequent period when propose 10
| discuss the question fully.
Sir II was truly remarked by the Senator from hssis-
sipp who sat next TO me- yesterday that EVIL times nave
fallen npon us. 1t is too sadly apparent TINS great
repubc of ours is in imminent danger OF dlssoluuon-
The whole social political and commercial system Is Sc
riousy disordered and shows unmsakable evidence oil
depression aud distress Commerce. trade and finances
are derauged the banks have ceased TO redeem their
notes in specie and the treasury OF the United States Is
| unable to meet its current demands genera gloom
seems spread over the entire country Why Is ali THIS
sir? Have the great elements OF prosperity and progress
| suddenly been exhausted?
No, sir. These we're never more abundant than now.
What is it then, sir? Why, sir, dirguse it as We may,
this sad picture is the result of political panic al
most shrink from enuncsng the precise cause obvious to
every Senator and intelligent man In the land Hehear
of Legislatures being assembled and conventions OF the
people being ordered to consider the great question:
whether our relations to be continued or not Is IL
thus singular that have been manifested deep concern
and distressg Sir. this is sad picture.
IL seems that it is the part oil patriotism and du
y to look fair in the face Ny own impressions at first
we're that the less said the better have changed that
impression believe that the times require that the pub
lie men, the select OF the nation here, should come
up to the great question let the people understand what
view is taken of here. For one am prepared to sep
arae mysefas much possible from past and
party allegiance and consider the condition oil the cou
try in spirit OF devotion TO its interests. most hearth
" commend the position of the Senator from Connecticut
Without understanding the desires OF the men Of his own
party he has told il here regardless Of the connection OF
his party and preudices for believe he was friend OF
the Presiden. elect He has come forward boldly and
taken his position for the Constitution aud Tor the Union
as made by the Constitution for the equality oil the
States and for Justice among his fellow citizen OF the Uni
ted States
convention Of all the States can be called only when
tso-thrds OF the States petition Congress- Every way
Congress must have connection with tins SUBJECT we
should inquire calmly sobery aud earnestly oil each other
what can be done here The South has received my Co
operation long and cordially For her rights have zeal
ousy commended long before on this ioor whose cause
TO some extent has been embraced by million and
half of northern men. acknowledge there has been
kept up in Congress upon their feelings wei cacu
lated to ALLEVIATE them.
Docrines are held 10 some extent inconsistent with the
equality of the States For example, the exclusion OF
the owners of slaves from the Territories But is DISCO
luton remedy? Is that the best aud Wisest OF all al
ternatives left No fatal step be taken for the
interest of the great State represent here remember
from
even death be preferred TO dhonor and that no
State could remain in the Union ess than All equal Let
the South ask redress and il denied let wothrds oil the
States call convention will resort TO any honorable
means to save the Union. wish to see this government
maintain its dignity and Influence in the world IL Is
| worth sacrifices II is certainly worth effort
II you want permanent peace you must strike the d.
sease The hearts of men must be changed. The most
potent influence any Northern man to put down
the abolition question and give the South her rights on
that question il the tariff Manufacturers aud miners be-
ievcd that the Democratic party prcudieia 10 pro-
lection and therefore have gone over TO the Republicans
No man is warranted in saying that the State oil Penn
svIysnia - adhAra tho hn"'r"eS &c tho pan'hii an
don't believe its issue OF the irrepressibe conflict as
generally interpreted in that State What because OF
party victory is the country to be torn by violence, IT.
OTIS and mobs in your commercial cities and to derange
business! What is party triumph to cause misior-
tune worse than dissolution shall do in all in my
power to adjust these unhappy differences. l am not
respondent entirely can't bring my mind to conteni-
plate the separation OF these States, much less contem
plate the consequences which would follow.
Mr. Iverson said that the South does not fear the ope-
ration of the personal liberty laws, fugitive slave laws
&c IL they were all repealed We fear mob Law most
1t has been said that amendments 10 bemade so that
a State may be sued for damage TO the~yaue OF the
slaves who we're refused TO be given up Such law was
worthless You can't State in its sovereign capa.
cy The case can't be brought TO court. The vote OF
the late Presidential election shows the public sentiment
of the North. All the Douglas nonintefvention and
squaer sovereignty party of the North cas avail any
thing. Laughter Under Black RepuolicSnsm the bcr-
der States will become burthen. If the South shall be
left to herself her slave population will increase in
thirty years from four and a-haf to thirty millions The
slave population will prepondeate over the white, but 1t
the Influence Of the North prevails universal emancpa
ton will eventually take place.
Mr.. Pugh said he hoped the Union would continue
from the extraordinary speech they had just heard When
the people of any State organization or territory or COM
munity do not desire have the institution OF slavery
his right arm should fall from its socket before he would
vote TO force them TO accept IT, and rice rersd
Mr. Iverson said IL referred you to speech OF Feb
ruary 2Sd of last year. when in the chair You did
not saw YES then Mr. IvesOn referred to the fugitive
slave case of Barns)
Mr. Pugh said That's only one
Mr. Iverson read the Congressional Globe to prove that
Mr. Pugh did not adhere to what he stated previous to
this session.
Mr. Pugh said Let me read the rest. Qaughter.)
contradict that the fugitive law was trampled under
foot.
Mr. Iverson stated that twenty years ago elaborate
report made by thelVrgina Legislature proved that one
hundred thousand dollars worth Of slaves lost from
its limits by being fugtyes Mr. Pugh don't believe the
slave States ever lost one hundred thousand dollars in
this way
Mr. Douglas-Like many other laws, the fugitive slave
law is not enforced in every State.
Mr. Iyerson-If fugitive is found in house day,
the next morning perhaps he is of.
Mr. Ten Eycke said a single instance like that occur
red in New Jersey where the fugitive off, 1t is
the only instance know Of occurring in my State.
Mr.. Green-lt runs of a horse It's pecuniary
consideration only, bu. 10 steal negro something
more. | wish to u strong-arm government able TO
discharge its functions. government that wont do
would spit upon. would sooner have the desposm
Of Louis Napoleon aud Prince OF Wales over me than
q government that cannot command respect.
Mr. Douglas said no law be said TO be left unexe
cuted unless it has been brought before court OF some
sort.
Mr. Green did not uphold the sentiment Of stealing
either horses or negroes.
Mr. Douglas said he spoke only as TO the nonexecu-
ton of the laws
Mr. Fltch-I know in my State during the last twen-
tyfve years. Of but Instance OF the rescue OF fug
tive slave.
Mr.. Powell-Some time ago a negro ran away from
Kentucky Illinois, and the Governor Of the latter Com
monN ealth did not execute his duty.
Mr.. Wade said il he recolleced right, the Indictment
did not show that the party ever was IN Kentucky.
Mr.. Powell slid the gentleman evidently was msta-
ken.
Mr. Wade-I don't know much about it.
Mr. Powell-You had better investigate facts before
drawing the attention of the Senate
Mr. Pugh asked whether the Senator himself aware
Of all the facts.
Mr. Powen-The Governor was wrong
Mr. Davis said debate this subject had always result