Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-12-25

Ohio, made the first speech of the session from
the extreme Republican side. He denied the
right of secession, and declared it to be the i'm
perative duty of the President to enforce the
laws, protect the public property and collect the
revenue There was no evadiDg this duty, and,
if necessary, all the power of the Government
must be used for its accomplishment He denied
that the Southern Senators had presented any
schedule of grievances, and proclaimed that the
Republicans would hold the city of Washington
as the capitol of the United States against all
opposition. His speech was very irritating, but
was not of that violent character which distin-
guished his speeches of the last session. reso
luton Of inquiry was also introduced, but not
acted upon, by Mr.. Clark, calling on the Presl-
dent to inform the Senate what arrangements be
has made for protecting the forts and public
property at Charleston, and also for any corre-
spondence that may have taken place between
General Scott and the commander of said forts
with reference to supplying them with the means
of protection.
In the House of Representatives the whole day
was consumed in the presentation and consider
alton of plans for the preservation of the Union.
A resolution was offered by Mr. Adrian, of New
Jersey, declaring the Constitution the supreme
law of the land, and its ready and faithful obe-
dience the duty of all good citizens-depre-
eating the spirit of disobedience to the Constitu
ton wherever manifested, and recommending
the repeal of all statutes in conflict or in viola
ton of that sacred instrument and the laws of
Congress passed in pursuance thereof, including
Personal Liberty bills. This resolution was
passed by vote of ayes 15l, nays IA, the Sc
cessOnsts refusing TO vote. Tie Union resolu-
tons of Mr.. Morris, of Illinois, embracing the
words of General Washington's Farewell Ad
dress, declaring immovable attachment to the
Constitution and the Union, and determine
ton to "frown down any attempt to ALLEVIATE
one part of the country from the other" were
also passed by vote of ayes l15, nays A.. The
proceedings throughout the day exhibited little
or no sectional rancor, and on the whole may,
perhaps, be regarded as exhibiting spirit of
compromise and concession on the part of q
large majority of the members of the House.
TUESDAY, Dec. 18th.-ln the United States
Senate to day, Mr.. Orittenden submitted his
plan of compromise and enforced the necessity
of Cancellation with an impressive speech, the
effect of which was seen in drawing even from
Senator Hale some remarks in better spirit and
of more temperate tone than he INDUCED in
at the opening of the Senate debate. Mr.. Grit
tenden proposes the restoration of the Missouri
Compromise by an amendment OF the Uonstltu
ton. with the enactment of other measures de-
signed to protect the rights of the South and re-
move the slavery question from the field OF po-
llitical controversy. The debate was then closed
and the resolution of Senator Powell, providing
| for Committee of Thirteen on Federal Affairs
was passed. To this Committee, carefully con-
stituted as it will no doubt be by Mr.. Breckin-
ridge, the country will look with more of conf
dence and hope than has been given to the
| House Committee. Senator johnson, of Ten
nessee, commenced speech against secession,
and retains the floor for its conclusion to-day
| The House, after some debate, laid Mr.. Craw
ford's declaratory resolution upon the table and
took up the ordinary routine of business.
The House Committee of Thirty three yester'
day referred to a sub committee, consisting Of
the members from the Border Slave States, the
amendments to the Fugitive Slave Law proposed
by the Southern side.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19th.-The United States
Senate was to-day principally occupied by Mr.
johnson, of Tennessee, who concluded the epeect
he commenced on the previous day. Mr.. John
son took the strongest ground against secession
asserting it to be treason which must be resisted
by the Government South Carolina, it she Sc
up government of her own, he declared woule
have to be conquered by the Government an(
held as a province Senator Lane responded t.
Mr.. johnson. Mr.. Pugh, of Ohio, obtained tht
1 floor, and the Senate then adjourned.
i The House was engaged yesterday with the
Deficiency bill, during which prolonged de-
bate arose on an appropriation of 100000 tx
supply deficiencies in the appropriation for The
suppression of the slave trade. The appropria-
ton was finally agreed to and the bill passed.
The House twice voted down resolutions to ad
Iiourn over during the holidays.
THURSDAY, Dec 20th.-In the United States
Senate to-day, Vice President Breckenridge an
bounced the Special Committee of Thirteen or
the State of the Union. Mr.. POWELL of Ken
| lucky as the mover Of the resolution, is Chair
man, with Mr.. Orittenden, OF the same State, al
second on the Committee. Senators Hunter
Douglas Seward, Bigler, Toombs and Wade are
also on the Committee. Senator Davis, of Mis-
sissippi, was also appointed but excused by thu
Senate at his own request. Senator Pugb, O
Ohio, spoke in behalf of compromise and ir
support of Senator Crittenden's plan. In The
course of an incidental debate on an adjourn
ment for the holidays, Mr.. Douglas opposed The
adjournment and remarked that ''he saw hope
for the Union" The motion for q recess was
not pressed.
| The House to-day was engaged with the
Pacific Railroad bill which was pushed through
under the operation of the previous question
and amidst the protests of several Southern
members.
FRIDAY, Dec. 21st.-In the United States Sen
ate to-day, the bill authorizing the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company to extend The
W ashington branch road through Washington
and across the Long Bridge, SO as to connect
with the Virginia Railroads, was passed with
eeveral amendments, the most important requir-
ing the Company to check baggage and afford
equal facilities to all railroad lines at either o.
it's termini Senator Davis, of Mississippi, re-
considered his intention not to serve on the
Committee of Thirteen, and in few remarks
accepted the position. The House was not in
session to-day.
Attention Volunteers!
We have received from Messrs. West & John.
ston, of Richmond, copy of the VOLUNTEER
Handbook" just published by them. It is q
neat little volume, containing an abridgement Of
Hardee's tactics for the squad and the COM
pany and the Army regulations for parades
reviews, &c.