Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-12-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Dec, 5,

w ASHISGTON, Dec, ., lSOu.
SExATE-Nothng was done to-day but to appoint
a committee to wait upon the President and inform
him that the Senate ready for business. The
Senate adjourned before one o'clock. Nearly all
the Senators were in their Seats and good feeling
prevailed,
HousR-After the calling of the roll, a commit
Zee was sent to the Senate to inform them that the
House was ready for the transaction Of business
and committee appointed to act with SINH
lar committee appointed by the Senate, to wait on
the President The selection of seats occupied an
hour, which was marked by good feeling and hilari
ty. The House adjourned at quarter past one
o'clock. Two hundred members were in their seats
All of the South Carolina members were in their
seats except Mr.. Porcher Miles The galleries were
crowded to OVERLOOKING The Presidents Message
will be sent in at noon tomorrow.
SESATE.-The reading of the Presidents message
commenced at ten minutes past twelve o'clock, and
was finished at seven minutes TO two.
Mr. Clingman, of N. c., moved that it be publish
cd but thought it fell short of investigating the cr
sis before the government.
The President elect he said, was known to be
dangerous man, because he avOwed the principle of
the "irrepressible conflict" which is now making
war upon my section. By the present position of
parties, Congress is held powerless but Lincolns
party will eventually contro! the government, the
Supreme Court included 1t might begin revolu-
ton, and don't think the Southern States would
have acted preciptately if such occurrences have
taken place within the last fifteen years, were with
foreign governments, if there had already been war.
1t is my judgment that number Of the States
would secede within sixty days The South-Caro-
lima submission party is small and the wisest thing
that Congress can do, will be to divide the public
property as fairly possible after paying the pub
lie debts.
NV people. continued Mr.. Clingman, cannot be
terrified. We have more territory than the Colo
MES when they began war with Great Britain We
have four times the population the Colonies had
Our imports during the past year amounted to thir
ty millions dollars, and ten per cent duties give US
three millions. Northern gentlemen say our insti-
tutions disgrace to the family of nations they
want it removed and say that it is a sin. If We
separate then their conscences are clear. lie agreed
with the President that there is no right for the
Government to force State The most offensive
aggression would be to levy tribute, if the sepa-
ration of all the slave States should be determined
upon, in which case we would be but carrying out
the policy of our fathers of the Revolution.
Mr.. Crttendon, of Ky, replied He had hoped
to come together in union with friends, and with
hopes of the preservation of the Union he had so
long lived under He rose with the purpose to ex-
press the hope that the example of the gentleman
from North Carolina would not be followed. He
thought that he (Alr. Clngman) had better not have
come here at all. This Union was worthy of great
sacrifices and concessions and he looked forward TO
disunon with fear and trembling. We must search
for the means of reconciliation, that harmony might
again be restored, and he hoped that here there
would be no angry debates. North Carolina has al
ways carried the olive branch.
Mr.. Clngman replied by saying that he approved
of the desire to preserve the Union, yet he would
be sustained in what he said by majority of the
people of his State North Carolina next to the
last State to come into the Union, but when the
Union ceases to protect her, she would bid the
Union good bye.
In the HOUSE, OH Tuesday, some debate took place
on motion to refer the slavery portion of the Pres
dents message. Mr.. Singleton, of Mississippi, Mr.
Jones, of Georgia Mr.. Hawkins, of Florida Mr.
Clopton os Alabama and other members from the
Cotton States" declined voting on the proposition
because their States had called Conventions, and
they did not wish to commit their States. Mr..
Miles, of s. c., said his State was now out of the
Union except as to mere form, and he took no in
terest in the matter