New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-27
XXXVITH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.

SENATE. -WAsHIyoToS, Jan. 90 1860.
Mr.. RICE Dem, Miss.) introduced bill TO relieve
Mr.. BENJAMIN Dem, La introduced bill to
authorize the Missionary Society Of the Episcopal
Church TO enter certain tract of land in Wisconsin
| Referred.
| Mr.. BRIGHT Dem, Ind.) introduced resolution
to increase the Committee Claims to Adopted.
| The Vice-PJesdent was authorized TO appoint the
Mr.. HUNTER Dem. VAL wished Mr.. Douglass
resolution called up and made special order for Tues
day at IA O'Clock, as be wished to speak ON It.
Mr. DAVIS Dem, Miss objected, on the ground
that Committee had been appointed to investigate
the Harpers Ferry raid, and suggest any legislation
which may be necessary. He referred to MIR. Doug
lass remark that Mr. Buchanans letter 10 reply 10
Gov Wise regarded by the South as an official an
nouncement that the Constitution and laws conferred
power on tbs President to protect one State from
invasion by another For himself, he had formed no
such impression. He thought it put the President in
fae attitude and desired the Secretary to read the
correspondence, which was done. Mr. Davis re
marked that it was evident from the letter of the
President that he did deny the power of the Fed
eTa Government pass the necessary laws to protect
the States from invasion. He only said that no power
had been conferred him to do what the Governor OF
Virginia asked. The power belonged to Congress- and
not to the Executive The President had no power to
call out the military and the policy of the founders OF
the Government was to restrict the Executive power
He never would be willing to grant the ffeSio9ht
power to call out the militia to invade STATE Inc
Presidents letter did not deny the pownr OF Congress
to pass all laws necessary to carry out the provisions
of the Constitution. He would never CONSENT from
motives of temporary exPedency, to invest the Exec
utve With great centralizing power.
Mr.. DOUGLAS Dem, Ill. said the Senator from
Mississippi certainly could not have read his speech
He made no criticism on the Presidents leuer-maae
no issue with him. His impression on reading the
Presidents letter was that be thought the Cons luton
conferred power the Federal Government 70 IN
terfere though he might have meant that the Cons't
ton and laws gave him the Presdent power still
be desired to make no issue with the President. His
only object to the enactment OF efficient
laws to extend the Constitutional power Of Congress-
lie had carefully avoided putting any construction on
his letter. and had no desire assa the President or
make issue with him. The Senator from Mississippi
had ntimatsd that he wanted legislation which would
authorize the invasion Of States and then went on 70
| show that the President did not differ with him.
| Mr.. DAVIS asked if he wished the Precedent
clothed with authority to enter the States and sup
| press coDspiracles. .
! Mr.. DOUGLAS replied No. He only wished the
Grand ures of the United States Courts to ndict and
the Courts TO punish the conspirators when convicted
lie wished to put any one At the head OF tne
! army TO seek out and punish offenders. lie only
wanted TO give the Courts jurisdiction over THESE
cases; but if military force from one State Dc IN the
act of invading another then he wanted to authorize
the employment Of military force 70 repei 'ne III
Mt. DOOLITTLE rep, Wis., asked if he wished
10 include conspiraces which might be formed 10 at
tack or overturp the Government OF the United States
| Mr.. DOUGLAS-Certainly l would punish such
congprators TO the extent of the constitutional power
| of the Government. He explained that ne had au-
dressed his resolution OF instruction 10 inc Juocai
| Committee, because he understood the chairman Oh
the Harpers Ferry Committee had doubted the power
of Congress to pass the law which he had proposed
| Mr.. DAVIS said the Committee had not committed
| tsen 10 any opinion on the subject. The Chairman
had merely expressed his doubt uader the existing LAVE
AGAINST treason. The crimes referred 10 could DO pun
| shed. L.;
Mr.. DOUGLAS denied the Interpretation put on his
| sneecb. The law against treason did not meet the
| cases which he proposed to punish.
Mr.. DAVIS was glad he bad got clear explanation
from the Senator from Illinois He repeated thai t1s
invasion of State by the citizens OF another coo
be punished under existing laws IL was not necessary
TO attack every one Of the States TO constitute treason
| An attack on the Union itself was treason. ~,
| Mr.. DOUGLAS contended that an attack on VIZ
gnia, without the desire to affect he Federal Govern,
| ment, wss only treason against Virginia he wona
| not however, debate that point now He was glad
10 see that two such patriots the Senator from m
| Iissippi and bimself were near an agreement
| Mr.. Hunters resolution was adopted
| Mr.. CLAY Dem, Ala.l moved that, when the Sen
| ate adjourn, II be till Monday. Carried.
MT WILSON sRidthat during the past seven weeks weeks
these bals have rung with dlsunon, ana inc
~ . Rsnublican President. Yesterday he had gain
"a ~ md nresented some CT these threats ana the
Senator nom Mississippi replied. lie wa sad 70 SEQ
yesterday. come degree Of feeling, ana ne LOOK as
snY;r@ tha scssi6n. many retreats from the position
,a JIe The Ssnaior from Mississippi lMr. DayE)
sbov,.d ,be Republican party with practical seces-
sor e is5S The call In 1856 was addressed 10 all men
wbo we're opposed to the spread Of Ssvery ana sucn
call would have summoned Washington ahd yoneisvn
Men from the South did come, and come OF % pa
were expelled from their states afterwa'a' AA' Nv