Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1860-12-14
seth Congress- I'd Session.
" AslIINGrnN- Dec |

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
SENArE,--It was voted that the Standing
Committees remain. as they were last session.
The resolution relative to the Overland
Mail was referred to the Post Office commit
tee.
Mr. Sumner offered memorial from Thad-
deus Hyatt, praying for the relief of the
Kansas sufferers, and suggesting that it be
be done either by an appropriation OF money
or land. 1t was referred to the committee
on Territories.
The Homestead bill passed to its first read
ing.
Mr.. Powell called up his resolution, and
in supporting its propositions said that the
eleventh amendment of the cunstitutionswas
enacted in 1874, and the twelfth in 1903,
cur fathers acted in emergencies, and so can
! we.
Mr.. Crittenden moved to strike out a part
Of the resolution, leaving only SO much of
it as related to federal affairs, and that it be
referred to a special committee.
Mr.. King inquired if additionaSlogislation
was necessary to maintain the constitution d?
Mr.. Iulee inquired what was meant by
amendments?
Mr.. Green said that he would vote for the
resolution, but thought that efforts should
| be made to correct the public sentiment.
Mr.. Powell accepted Mr.. Collamore' s
amendment
Mr.. Latham said The Union has 10 more
/ loyal subjects than the people of California,
and If the cotton States withdraw. she will
remain with the great North and west.
! Mr.. Crittenden spoke about ten minutes in
an audible voice.
Mr. Sumner said he held copy OF a LEI.
ter which was written under circumstances
that looked like the present distracted state
ofafairs 1t is private letter Of Gen. Jack
son, written on the lst OF May, 1883, to Rev.
| Mr.. Crawford. The following is an extract:
IL have had laborious task here, but null
ticatlon is dead, and Its actors and contriy-
erS will be remembered by the people for
their wicked designs, &c. The extract
, ends as follows: "Ihe tariff was only a
pretext, and disunion and Southern Con
iederacy the real object, The next pretcxt
will be the negro or slavery question:
Mr. Ben amin asked whether the intent OF
the amendment WAS to Indicate the opinion
on the part OF the gentleman Offering it,
that force should be used against a Sta.e?
Mr.. King said the sentiment Of his State
was, that the Union should he preserved -
lie believed that secession was another name
tor Instruction and rebellion. This resist
ance to the laws will meet with the peplty
that the laws can inilict.
Mr.. Dixon OF Connecticut said-We can
not shut our eyes to the great truth that
nothing less than the disruption Of the Gov
eminent is the peril to which we are now
exposed. 1t is enough for US to know that
1t would not only be the great event, but in
its effects upon the human race the great ca
lamity Of the age.
The controversy on the subject of slavery
has now reached point where its honorable
aud rtShtiHl adjustment, consented to by the
people Of both sections, seems Indispensable
to a continuance of the Government in its
present form.
ilouSE.-Mr. HAwkins Of Florida, gave
additional reasons for not serving on the Sc
lect committee. tie sand that Florida could
not be forced to remain in the Union. 9th
/ er Southern States were pledged TO defend her
in the event of attempted coercion Florida
was unanimous fer redress of grievances,
in its own way, and not by Congressional
compromise lie regarded the component
parts ef the committee as peculiarly unfor
tunate, especially Directing to Mr.. Davis Of
Maryland, as not lit representative of that
State, arguing that all who voted for Mr..
/ Pennington for Speaker were disloyal to the
southern States, and regretted that the reso-
luton for the appointment Of the committee
came rom one of the most gifted sens OF the
South
Mr.. Siekles maintained that the Union
can he made perpetual by justice, but not for
an instant by the application Of force He
believed with the city of New York, that
the power to deal with the PENDING political
question rest with she Republican party,
who have control Of legislation in the North
ern States. Let the Legislatures of the Nor
thern States be convened, that we may see
in what manner they are prepared to deal
with the question.
Mr.. Sherman, from the committee on WAYS
and Means, reported bill authorizing the
issue of $40 900 900 in Treasury Notes, Of
not less than 800 denomination, the faith
of the United States being pledged for their
redemption. and the money thus authorized
to be borrowed from time to time as may be
deemed expedent. The bill, after some de-
bIte, was passed.
Mr.. Vail indisham was in favor of excus-
ing Mr.. Hawkins; the committee was raised
to promote peace, and it was inconsistent to
coerce members to serve. He said no Dem
rocrat from the Northwest was on the COM
mittee. The Northwest did not intend 20 be
dependent on the South or the East, and il
: the people of that section could not other
wise get t. the sea-, they Will eleaye their
wav 10 it with the sword.
Mr. McGlernard OF Illinois, did not be-
ievc that the government could be dissolve
by any one OF its parties. fhe government
was stronger than was generally believed
NE was amazed that no Democrat from the
West was ON the committee. but did not
, wish to excuse Mr.. lla wilkins.
WASHINGTON, 1lth.
SESATE-The house bill authorizing the
issue ot treasury notes was referred to the
: Committee on Finance.
The resolution on the secession part Of the
Message was taken up
Mr.. Bigler said he could 90 with the Sena-
| tor from Illinois, in joining with men of every
g party who will devote themselves 10 the greai
work of rescuing the country. In veal OF
' woe he was an Union man. and for the Tn
len as made by our fathers. lie was for Con
0 stitution and the Union.
5 After discussion on the State of the I'm
/ ion, in which Messrs. Iyerson, Green, Wig
| sill, Pagh, Powell and other Senator's tool
pant, adjourned at half past four.
IlousE MIR. Cobb of Ala, hoped that tn,
e Select Committee OF the House would com
+ mence business presently, and present the re
i suit of their deliberations in some tangible
form. II anything could be done to save hi