Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-01-28
CONGRESS.
Jan. %, 1860.

On Monday last Senator Douglas addressed the
Senate at length his resolutions in reference to
the suppression of invasons of the slavehodng
States. The Senate crowded to hear him. Mr.
Douglas took the ground that it the duty of Con-
gresS to pass laws giving the President power use
the naval and military forces of the government to
repe nyaSiOnS between different States, and also to
make it criminal to enter into cOnSpiracieS or COM
binations in any State or Territory, with intent to
invade State, or modest or disturb its government,
its peace its citizens It's property its institutions
such offences to be punished by indictment in
the United States courts, and confinement in the
prisons penitcntiaries of the State or Territory
where the conspiracies might be formed He said
the llarperS Ferry crime the natural logical in
evtable result OF the doctrines and teachings of the
republican party as explained and enforced in their
platform, partisan presses, their pamphlets and
books and especially in the speeches of their leaders
in and out of Congress.
! Mr.. Fessenden replied to Mr.. Douglas, denying
/, 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
CT slavery, and denouncing the Republicans.
Mr.. Toombs obtained the floor, and the Senate
then adjourned.
In the House, on the same day, Mr.. Barksdale,
of Mississippi, spoke at length the state of the
House and the country. He said the House pre-
scented to the people of the country a scene which
has but one parallel in history. The House had
been in session seven weeks, and although ballot af
ter ballot had been taken, no Speaker had been
elected and organization effected while the great
interests of the country had been totally neglected.
The Democratic South American aud Ant-Lecomp-
ton parties all protesting stand in attitude of
hn- tlo fO 1ofaa
the candidate of the latter. The Democrats have
manifested every disposition to unite with the South
Americans and AntiLecOmptOnites on natona.
basis, until their spirit of Cancellation has been
hausted. The South Americans had presented Mr..
Gimer, who could never be acceptable to him. Mr.
Gmer, if elected, must be supported by some of
the Republicans and he would therefore vote for no
man who commended himself to the consideration
of that party. lie did not doubt Mr.. Gilmers 10y
atty to the South, but Objected to his political con-
duct Rather than the nominee of the Republican
party should be elected, man who had received no
vote from fifteen of the States of this Cnion rather
than his State and section should be dshOnOred by
the election of Mr. Sherman, he would repeat the
declaration of Mr. Pugh, of Alabama, 'let discord
reign here forever" He proceeded to give the his
tory origin and progress of the present aspect Of
the slavery question, which prevents the Organiza
ton of the House.
Mr.. Corwn, of Ohio, made discursive and
speech, W tiiS
drawing therefrom the inference that all good cti-
zens should obey the laws. 1t was the advice of
The ArJstles not to .overturn the existing govern
ment their mission was to search the hearts OF
wicked men. He remarked that we are the happest
people on the face of the globe and pointed to the
folly of becoming unnecessarily excited among our
selves He said, in the course of his remarks that
Senator Seward had never said anything so offensive
to the South as had George Washington, who ex-
pressed the hope that slavery would be abolished
throughout the United States
When he had concluded the House adjourned
In the Senate, on Tuesday last Mr.. Toombs of
Georgia, spoke at length on the slavery question
He charged that the black Republican party are
seeking to overturn the Constitution by the cleo
ton of Republican President. As it regards Sc
cession he said that the South should not wait for
overt acts, but meet the enemy at the Threshold
and drive him back or tear down the pillars OF the
Temple of Liberty, and overwhelm all in one COM
mon ruin
In the Fouse, on the same day, Mr. Corwin,
made speech intended to be conciliatory.
No vote was taken for Speaker.