The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-11
PROCEEDINGS OF THR THIRTY.SIXTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WAsHLNGToN, January 10.-The attendance o.
Senators this morning quite full
Several memorials and petitions " ere presented
Mr.. JOHNSON presented petition in favor of the
Homestead bill.
After unimportant morning business
Mr.. GREEN proceeded to discuss the resolution OF
Mr.. Pugh, in relation to the expediency of repeal.
ing so much OF the acts organizing the Territories
OF New Mexico and tab as requires the laws passed
by said Territories to be submitted to Congress for
approval, to which Mr.. Harlan had submitted an
amendment in reference to authorizing the people
OF each of said Territories to elect all their terrific
rial officers, executive, legislative and judicial in
such manner as the Legislatures thereof shall pro-
vide Mr.. &. remarked that the resolution offered
by the Senator from Ohio did not of itself involve
any matter of serious Importance; it simply pro-
posed to change the provisions of the organic act
OF two of our Territories but the speech accom-
panyng the resolution was of a character to cali
ior more extended examination. 1t brings up the
whole of what has been called "popular SOVEREIGN
ty. And the amendment of the Senator from
Iowa. at once throws open the consideration OF that
Mhoie SUBJECT. we cannot close our eyes to the
facts as presented here This question threatens to
suoVert the whole practice of government to change
the whole relation between the Territories and the
federai Government, to build up power which is
revolutionary in its character; and if there has ever
been introduced proposition alarming in its ma
ture while plausible on its face this is one of that
kind. - '""'
There is something pleasing to the human mind
III 'he Nei Ierln popular S0VefelgntV," but when
traced to its legitimate consequences we shall find
that 1t Is fraught with danger from beginning to
end. What is popular sovereignty? Its that the
people OF a Territory, like those of State have
flght 10 legslate directly or indirectly upon all
subjects upon which State could legislate when
admitted into the Union without a Constitution
save the organic act, without limitation except so
Tar as the organic act imposes limitations it makes
them complete soverelgnties while sovereignty is
denied 1t could do harm-serious harm-not be-
cause there was any great danger of its ever being
adopted as the settled policy of this Government,
but because itpresented bone of contention amonr
brothers and friends. There are dangers of a more
serious character staring us in the face there is
enemy striking at the institutions of the South
endangering the stability of the Government and
creating a.turore offanaticism which even those who
stlrred up the storm cannot quell. Under these
circumstances 1t behooves all lovers of their country
not to waste their time and strength in brinpinp
up and discussing abstract questions; but bfs Gues
ton having been raised, and being of such vital i'm
portance, they would be derect to their dutv tn
permit such dangerous doctrines to pass without
correction.
This subject was first introduced at Freeport,
ILL.,, by the distinguished Senator from that State
(Mr. Douglas Before that time there was unity
upon this subject. No man, since the decision of
the Dred Scott case, had even ntimated that there
was any power in the territories to prohibit slavery
therein. When this theory first broached by
Mr.. Douglas it was considered by his friends as an
unguarded expression, growing out of the ardor of
debate in heated controversy. After the canvass
In Illinois we had hoped it would be buried in oh
livon; but at the last session it was brought I'D
again and briefly discussed. We were even then
disposed to let it rest forever because so far as the
question was concerned 1T was believed that his DO
sition had been successfully met and the public
mind might be safely left to decide the matter
Since that time, however, we have had essay after
essay, and argument after argument, flooding the
Northern and Southern States, and designed to
prejudice public sentiment At first Mr.. D. only
thaf fhn itprf
very by unfriendly legislation; but his HnrDer's
Magazine essay takes the ground that territory
can exercise as much power over the subject as a
state Mr. Green then took up the arguments in
favor OF popular sovereignty, and examined them
in detail, reading extracts from the bred Scott de-
cision to support his views.
the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. GARTRELL said that no blame could attach to
the Democrats for the non-organzation of the
House. The scenes enacted here are but the be-
ginning OF the "irrepressible conflict of which
they heard so much; conflict between opposing
torces;a conflict by the North with the South If war
Is to be waged on the fifteen States of this Union:
If they are to be denied the solemn guarantees
of the Constitutions if the property the South is to
be taken and its surrender denied; if the princi-
pies OF the Republican party are still to be main
tained, and their purposes accomplished; if the
South, by Congressional or other contrvance, is
to be deprived of full participation in the common
Territories belonging to the whole people of the
U nted States, for one he was free to confess it
were better the House should never organize
If you Republicans, he said, are determined to
continue your aggressions, YOU propose to do on
our rights; If you will not stay your hand of ag-
gresslon; II you are determined this conflict shall
come, then warn you and those whom you repre-
sent to beware of the dangerous ground on which
you stand. The South must have her full meas
ure OF her Constitutional rights. Nothing else
Will do. They will enforce and demand to be treat
ed as political equals, otherwise the Union will be
divided into many parts there are stars on our
national banner.
lie proceeded to show-frst, what rights South
ern people enjoy as to slavery; second that these
rights SO clear, and sacred and high are not only
threatened but boldly, daringly and wilfully assai
ed Dy the Republican party. In the third place he
said, he would announce the solemn truth disagree
able it might be to his constituents as we'll a. To
those OF others, that If this aggression continues,
the people Of the South will be compelled by every
principle OF justice, honor and sefpreservaton to
disrupt every tie OF the Union, "peaceably, if they
can, torcibly, if they must"
Mr.. HAsKIN interrupted Mr.. Gartrel wishing to
know whether, if Mr.. Douglas doctrines as to
slavery IN the Territories should be carried out
the South would deem that sufficient cause for
seeding from the Union.
Mr.. GARTRELL asked whether he understood Mr.
Haskin to be the champion and expounder of the
Republican party
Mr.. HAsKIN said that he was opposed equally to
the doctrines of the Republicans for intervention
ioi tuc Ol slavery the territories,
he was to the angled doctrine of the South for
the protection of that institution
Mr. GARTRELL said that was judicial question,
to be determined by the Courts. So far as his
opinion Went he denied utterly, uncondtionally
and unqualifiedly, the right of the people of any
Territory, by unfriendly legislation or otherwise to
deprive the South of their right to slavery in the
Territories.
Mr.. HAsKIN inquired whether the gentleman
from Georgia would vote for the admission of Kan
sas notwithstanding the restrictions of the English
bill.
Mr.. GARTRELL replied that was de hors the re-
cord He would explain his position fully at an
other time. In his further remarks he maintained
that the States have the right to secede from the
I MON at any time.
Mr. HICKMAN had occasion to explain what he
said on former occasion-that there were eigh-
teen millions in the North who would prevent dis
union. He added that these people could manufac-
ture more arms and ammunition in ninety DAYS
than the South could buy; and that larger num-
Der OF freemen could be voluntarily mustered under
the banner of the Union and Constitution than the
South could raise by conscription. The North are
in favor of the Union, and at every hazard will
maintain it. Applause.
Mr.. GARTRELL said that those songs to the Union
were applauded in the galleries by those who de-
pended on the spoils. The gentleman added insult
to injury when he said the North could manufac-
ture more arms and ammunition in ninety DAYS
than the South could buy. Why, one crop of cot
ton In Georgia, would buy the whole State of Penn
- r.
Hickman whether, if Republican President should
be elected, and the Republicans, with both Houses
OF Congress, should abolish slavery in the District
OF Columbia, and the slave trade between the
States, and prohibit the introduction of slavery in
the territories, and the admission of slave States
into the Union, and the South should, in conse-
quence, secede from the Union, would he Mr.
be willing to lead a regiment against the
South, or advise coercion.
Mr.. HICKMAN replied that there is proper place for
the settlement of all grievances, whether real or
imaginary. They could be adjusted better in the
Union than out oft; and especially would this be
better for the South.
Mr.. GARTRELL replied that when the gentleman
and his friends came to the South they would meet
with a warm reception. Even the negroes would
scout them Abolitonists.
Mr.. EDWARDS, of New Hampshire condemned so
much speaking. 1t was by action that they were
to elect Speaker, He condemned, also, the reso-
luton of MIR. Clark, of Missouri, which declares
that no endorser of the Helper Book was fit to be
Speaker of the House. That resolution was an ab-
straction, and the debate upon it based there
FORE upon an abstraction. He said he had voted
tor Mr. Sherman, and in such cases he must be sure
that the man is not ony free from crime, but must
have good character. In conclusion, he offered
resolution that, after this day. until a Speaker
shall be chosen, the House will proceed at one
o'clock to vote for Speaker. That they shall vote
at least three times, and if any member has the
floor, he shall surrender it for that purpose
The resolution objected to.
Mr.. WRIGHT, of Tennessee, addressed the House
in reply to his colleague, Mr. Stokes, and against
the proceedings of the Southern Americans.
Mr.. LEAKE maintained the right of Virginia to
secede as defensive, not an aggressive measure.
Adjourned.
1HE MEXICAN TREATY.-A Washington cores
pondent says that there is in that citv a strong
party representing the Miramon government, who