Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-22
THIRTY.SlxTH COSGRESS-SECOND SESSION.
WAsHINUTON, DEC.
SENATE

SENATE
Mr. Clark desired TO take up his resolutions calling
for information regarding Fort Moultrie.
Mr.. Lane desired 20 offer the substitute for then
rendered by him few DAYS since.
Mr.. Saubur did not desire 10 have either the r6so
uons OF the Senator from Oregon or those OF the Sena
tor fIom New Hampshire taken up they tend to irri
tate and endanger the peace of the country.
NJ Clark thought il best that the country should
know facts and not be Agitated it is from
suspicion.
Mr. Trunbu thought that the resolutions called simply
for information from the President il not incompatible
with the public interest. 1t usual to call for such
information by the Senate and he saw nothing in 1t OBJ
10 touahle.
Mr. Hunter hoped that Al, of these exciting subjects
would be postponed until could be demonstrated il any
concession or compromise could be made. These reso
utions involved the question: of coercion, in which h
teen State; Of the Union felt deep interest. lie
hoped that the resolutions would not be taken up
Mr. Mason said that Congress would soon deal with
subjects go practical in their nature, that they would
late 20 the very question contained in these resolutions
No one entertained doubt but that the question would
be presented in practical FORM and If brought up row
il would only lead to inilning the public mind, and to
produce an angry feeling. lie knew, unoitcialy, oil
the condition Of the forts and the Senate doubtless
knew them.
Mr. Clark disclaimed any idea to keep up an angry
feeling. He had seen many rumors regarding the coud
ton of these forts but he desired to have nlorma
ton which he could rely on. He desired to know il
these forts sufficiently protected. There was no
harm aScertaDing that lie thought that the resolutions
we're more of a peaceful than hostile character.
Mr. Davis opposed the adoption of the resolutions and
thought that the Executive solely responsible for the
state OF the forts and that impraccable in this
particular case where delicate rights concerned TO
make these inquiries.
Mr. Clark desired TO vote on the resolutions. he want
ed them adopted rejected The President need not
and a IN
with the public interest.
Mr. Trumbul said that something had been said about
coercing State in this debate. Now he had never heard
Of any in the Senate or in this country, who beiev
ed ia coercing State. No believed in any power
Of the United States declare against State; but
the federal government could enforce its laws, for It's
officers were 10 that they we're faithfully exc
cuted.
The special hour here arrived and the resolutions Of
Mr. Clark were laid informally. Those OF Mr.. John
son. for amending the tuition, we're taken up, and
Mr. Pugh addressed the Senate.
In commencing, he said that at the close OF the con
yenton which formed the constitution, Franklin remark
ed that during its session he had observed the painted
n the panel in the OF the Presidents chair but could
not tell whether it q setting rising sum- and SO
il was at this time. The thirty millions Of people Of
the republic and the civilized vorld we're looking nov
TO this government to whether it was rising or
declining sun.
He proceeded to review the sentiments uttered by the
Senator from New Hampshire, (Nr. Hale) and his col
league Mr.. Wade when they declared tina. the Repnb
lcan party had not yet administered the government
and that, therefore, there reason TO complain
aud that they had charged that Northern democrats were
traitors and had misrepresented the views Of the Re
publican party He thought in the first place, that the
fact that the Republican party had not been tried was
cause for suspicion and PREJUDICE and, in the second
that the SouLherners had heard too much of it, There
was no Misrepresentation for the people OF the South
had heard the speeches delivered by Republican Senators
on this floor and their newspapers which represent
ed their views.
His colleague had stated that when he left his home il
Ohio all peace aud quieuess but be would say thai
portion OF his constituents were in different condition
Their business injured their interests Frustrated ant
ruin was prevalent lie did not regard the personal lii
erty bills OF any practical value, but their objects
hostile to the South. In Vermont the Senator from tina
State had stated that they had not seen fugitive slave
in forty years. yet they had passed personal liberty bill
What was the object Of such act! IL was an insul
TO the people Of the South and all Of thee liberty bill
should be swept from the books, although they
we're not practical.
Il was the duty of the republicans to propose
mise. aud why did they not come forward and supper
the pro, oston Of the Senator from Kentucky (Mr
Crittenden His colleague had said that no had AM
,isht 20 doubt Mr.. Lincoln he had a far RECORD
and was an honest man. He M. P would reply tina
of all the Presidents who had been elected Mr. Lncol
was the most obscure one that Of the million Who