The national Republican., 1860-12-20
THIRTY-sIxTH CONGRRss,
Second Session.
Wednesday, December l9, 1860.
GEM ATE

peared in his seat this morning, for the first
time this session.
Mr.. Slidell made charge against the SEN
ate reporter for the Associated Press, saying
that the latter had misrepresented him in the
New Orleans papers, and that he should move
his expulsion from the Senate gallery tomor-
row, unless the reporter gave satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION. He also, BY implication, charged
the Associated Press with hostility to the Dem.
ocratic party.
THE agent of the Associated Press requests
your reporter to say that the dispatch COM
planned of by Mr.. Slidell was not sent by him,
or transmitted from Washington by any one
having any connection with the Associated
Press. The implied charge Of hostility to the
Democratic party is equally unfounded.
The military academy and invalid pension
appropriations bills were reported back and
passed.
The bill granting the right of way over the
Potomac to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company was postponed till tomorrow.
The Senate then took up Mr.. Johnson's reso-
lutions for an amendment Of the Constitution.
Mr.. johnson addressed the Senate. He
urged that the personal liberty bills which had
been passed by Northern States were in direct
violation Of the Constitution, and would be so
decided by any court in the world. He denied
the right of secession, and quoted Mr.. Madi.
son as sustaining his views, and showed that
Mr. Jefferson held the same view. The Con.
s,itution provided remedy for all evils which
might grow up under it. 1t provided even for
the change Of times, opinions, and events,
which might occur, by allowing amendments.
General Washington had acted under the idea
that this Government was competent to execute
its laws when he ordered fifteen hundred men
into Pennsylvania, to execute the excise law
and put down the whisky rebellion. He did
not believe that any State could declare itself
out of the Union, and resist the law. The
United States had power to carry the mails
and to hold courts in South Carolina by force;
and if South Carolina resisted by war the col
lection Of the revenue, or attacked the forts OF
the United States, it was treason. Circum.
stances might arise which would render reso-
lutte course necessary with seeding State.
Suppose South Carolina proclaimed herself
out, made alliances with European Powers,
and collected there large foreign army and
navy, in intimidation Of this people; the Uni.
ted States might rightfully conquer her, aud
hold her as a subject province. A few hisses.
No one party had right at will to dissolve
contract. Could Louisiana, which had been
bought to secure the mouth Of the Mississippi,
20 out, and make the mouth of the Mississippi
foreign again?
Mr.. Slidell denied that any Louisianian for
an instant thought Of placing any obstruction
TO the free navigation and commerce on the
Mississippi or its tributaries.
Mr.. johnson replied, that he was unwilling
to leave the freedom of the mouth Of that river
in any custody but that of all the States. Flor
ida too, who had been very anxious to come
into the Union, was now teverish 10 so Ou,.
Before she came in, she belonged to Spain, and
was over.run with Seminoles. The United
States had paid $2O,OOo,OOO to buy her, give
her peace, and clear out the seminoles. When
she went out, would she revert to Spain, or go
back under the jurisdiction Of the Seminoles
Laughter.
Rather than see the Government broken
into thirty three fragments, he would advocate
a consolidated Government. The border States
might, If disruption was made, find it for
their interest to form Central Union. Even
now, the Old Dominion was bound TO Tennes-
see by an iron chain of railroad, and Memphis
was less than two days from Baltimore. Through
this Central Union, the East and West would
stretch their hands, and over the highways
would pour the commerce Of the world.
The South did not intend to leave the Union.
The Government might be broken up, but the
South would stay in the house Of the Constitu
ton, and maintain its rights. He would cling
to the last plank, when night closed in and
darkness was around.
Lincolns election was no cause for disunion.
He concluded by declaring, in the words Of
Jackson, the Federal Union, it must be pre-
served" He would give his blood to save the
Union.
Mr.. Lane, of Oregon, said the Northern De-
mocracy would not march to the subjugation Of
south Carolina, under the bloody banner of the
senator from Tennessee. When he rallied his
troops to overawe sovereign State standing
up for her rights, he would have to meet the
Northern Democracy in arms. Loud applause. !
tie served a notice upon the Republicans, that
they would not have united North. They could
not reach the Southern border without bloody
battle with the Democrats Of the North. He
would save the Union, but only upon the prin
ciples OF the Constitution. He spoke at length
in defence Of the right Of secession said that
| Washington seeded from the perpetual Unior
established by the old Confederation. HI
would say to any coward who would do it, yor
shall walk over my body. [Applause-8oe4
lie wsuld suffer anything to tmaintaip th
Uaish but would only maintain it upon equal
Hy and justice. The responsibility of disuniol
was at the door of the Republican party.
At the close Of Mr.. Lanes speech, and a
ten minutes past five o'clock, the Senate ad
journed.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, offered resolu
ton, to the effect that, the Senate concurring
when the House adjourn to- morrow, it adjour
to meet the 9Th day of January.
Several gentlemen objected to the introduc
tion of the resolution, but it was decided to b
in order.
Mr.. Etheridge moved to lay the resolution Oh
the table.
Mr.. Dawes called for the yeas and nays, whel
the question was taken, and decided in tn
negative-yeas H. nays A.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Committee of Way
and Means, reported bill making appropria