The national Republican., 1860-12-05
THIRTY-sIxTH CONGRESS-,
Second Session.
Tuesday, December A, 1860.
SENATE.

1gatl0n OF the cr16iS before tne OOVornuent
The President elect was known to be q danger.
Gus man, because he avowed the principle Of
the irrepressible conflict" party, with the
view Of making war upon my section. Though
the present position Of parties in Congress held
him powerless, his party would eventually con-
troll the Government, the Supreme Court in
cluded. A sectional majority absolutely has
control of the whole Government, and it might
begin revolution.
He did not think any of the Southern States
had acted preciptately. IL such occurrences
as have taken place in the last fifteen years
had been with foreign nation, we would have
been at war before this. In his judgment, a
number Of the Southern States would secede
within sixty days. The South Carolina sub.
mission party was small.
The wisest thing that Congress could do
would be to divide the public property as fairly
as possible after paying the public debts. My
people are not terri6ed-we have more territory
now than the colonies who begun the war with
Great Britain. We have four times their popu.
lation. Our imports last year amounted to
$3O,Oe0,0O0 Northern gentlemen say our in
stitutions are a disgrace to the family, and
they want to have them removed. They say it
is sin to hold slaves. If we separate, their
consciences will be clear.
He agreed with the President, that there is
no power IN tne uOVeTnUeut W lOTCt u ctdtt
to remain in the Union. The most offensive
aggression would be to levy tribute, and If
separation takes place, all the slave States
would be quiet and peaceable. They were
carrying out the policy Of the fathers Of the
revolution.
Mr.. Crittenden replied, that he had hoped
they had come together as union Of friends.
He hoped, for himself, that the Union he has
so long lived under would be preserved. He
rose for the purpose of expressing hope that
the example of the gentleman from North
Carolina would not be followed. Better not
come here at all than thus act. This Union
was worthy of great sacrifices and concessions.
He looked forward with dismay at the prospect
of disuuion- with fear and trembling They
must search for the means Of reconciliation,
and endeavor to restore harmony. He did
hope there would be no angry debates. North
Carolina has always carried the olive branch Of
peace.
Mr.. Clingman approved the desire expressed
to preserve the Union. He would be sustained
in what he had said by a majority Of the.peo-
pie of his State. North Carolina was next to
the last to come into the Union, and when the
Union ceases to protect her, she will bid good.
by!
Mr.. Fitch moved that the usual number (ten
thousand) of copies of the message be printed.
Mr.. Hale moved to adjourn, which was car.
red.
HOUSE.
The message having been read,
Mr.. Sherman moved that it be referred to the
Committee Of the Whole on the state Of the
Union. Supposing that there was no desire
to debate to- day, he moved the previous ques-
ton.
Mr.. Boteler offered the following resolution,
trusting, he said, that it would meet the appro.
baton Of the House:
" Resolred, That so much of the Presidents
message as relates to the present perilous con-
dtion Of the country be referred to special
committee of one from each State, with leave
to report at any time"
Mr.. McClernand wished to move an amend.
! ment, and amid repeated calls it was read as
follows:
"Resolred, That so much of the Presidents
annual message as relates to matters of griev-
ance between the slaveholding States, and the
proposal by Congress of amendments to the
| Constitution of the United States for the ratif-
cation of the several States, and to the ques.
ton Of State secession from the Federal Union,
be referred to select committee, to consist of
one from each State, to be appointed by the
Speaker and that such committee be instruct
ed to inquire into and report by BILL or by pro-
posing an amendment or amendments to the
|
upon such subjects; aud particularly whether
any further legislation or amendment to the
Constitution is necessary to give prompt GER
tain, and full effect, to the last clause Of the
second section Of the fourth article Of the Con-
stitution concerning the return of fugitives from
service or labor"
Mr.. Boteler declined to accept Mr.. McCler.
nand's amendment.
Mr.. Sherman proposed to Mr.. Boteler, that
instead of a select committee Of one from each
State there should be a committee Of fifteen.
| Cries of " oh no"
Mr.. Bocock raised question of order with
luton. A committee could not report at any
time without suspension of the rules.
The Speaker decided that the question was
well taken.
Mr.. Bocock, at the request of several friends,
withdrew his objection.
Mr.. Stanton supposed that Mr.. Boteler
could accomplish his object by emitting the
last clause of his resolution.
Messrs. Curry and Burnett renewed the OBJ
lection.
Mr.. Boteler modified his resolution by str
king out the words, "with leave to report a,
any time"
Mr.. Sherman wished to offer an amendment
leaving the House to decide as to the mode Of
organizing the proposed committee.
Mr.. Boteler replied, that he had specially
avoided saying how the committee should be
raised.
The Speaker said that the rules provided
that the Speaker shall appoint committees
unless otherwise ordered.
Mr.. Morris, of Illinois, wished to offer an
amendment, which he read for information, al
follows:
"Resolred, That we are unalteraby and i'm
movably attached to the Union of the States
that we recognise in the Union the primary
cause of our present greatness and prosperity
as a nation, and have as yet seen nothing
either in the election of Abraham Lincoln t
| the Presidencx or from anY other sonrce Il