Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-12-29
Tha Natinnnl Crisis.
Especial Dispatch to the New FORK Herald.
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE sESAfE COMMITTEE.
| WAHRkToN Dec. 25.-TIie Senate Committee of
Thirteen were in session on saturday six hours and
half considering varions PROPOSITIONS 20 ARE the
progress Of dissolution and give peace to The cOun-
try.
The amendment to the Constitution proposed by
Mr.. Crittenden to settle the controversy between
the North and the South finally and forever by
division Of the country from ocean TO ocean, on the
parallel Of the Missouri line was the great subject
Of discussion. Messrs Criuenden Douglas and Big
Ter maintained it with great zeal and ability.
Mr. Douglas reiterated his former determination
to consider the question for the preservation Of the
country as though he had never cast a vote OF ut
tered sentiment on the subject before. If that
mode Of compromise would not answer, he declared
himself willing to go for any other consistent with
honor or Justice
The appeals Of Mr.. Crittenden in behalf Of the
Union saidtO have been eloquent and sublime
He, too was willing TO embrace any othar effective
mode Of adjustment.
Mr.. Bgler, of Pennsylvania, preferred division
by line across the country, because in that way
she question of slavery could be taken out of Con-
gress and separated entirely from the popular cleo
tons in the North, without which we never could
have permanent peace.
Messrs. Wade, Doolittle, Co ser, and Grimes
opposed the proposlaan-s,ith much earnestness and
ability They maintained that the people in the late
election decided the question Of slavery in the Ter
ritories and therefore they had no concessions to
make offer. They manifested great unwillingness
TO act in the absence of Mr. Seward, but as they
could give no assurance of his immediate return
the Committee declined to defer action account
of his absence. ....
Messrs. Davis, Toombs and Hunter discussed the
present unhappy condition of the country with un-
surpassed ability, and " ist manifestIng willing
ness to accede to any measure of final settlement
which would secure their Just rights in the Union,
insisted that propositions must come from the dOmi
nant party the Republicans.
he VDfp IN M ftpift lon matt
follows:
For the proposition Messrs Biger, Crttenden,
Douglas Rice, and PoweE-5.
Against it-Messrs. Davis. Doolittle Collamer.
Wade. Toombs Grimes and Hunter.
Messrs. Hunter TOOmbs, and Davis, nevertheless
numated an inclination to 60 for it if the Republi-
cans would propose it in good faith.
The second proposition submitted by Mr.. Critten-
den denying the right of Congress abolish slavery
in the dockyards and arsenals was voted against by
Messrs COllamer, Doolitte, Grimes and Wade.
The remainder of the committee voted for the pro.
position, but it had not mojority of the Repub-
lcans, it was defeated under the rules adopted by
the committee, that no proposition should be con-
sidered adopted and recommended TO the Senate
which did not receive majority of the Republican
votes, and also those opposed to the Republicans
The third clause, denying to Congress the right to
abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, was
defeated by the same vote the Republicans all yot-
ing against il, and the remainder of the committee
for it.
The fourth clause, establishing the right of tran
sit, was defeated by the same vote.
The fifth. which Is intended to perfect the Fugi-
tive Slave Law by requiring the several States to
pay for the fugitives who might be rescued from
the officers Of the law was lost by the same vote
the Republicans all voting in the negative.
Many other propositions were offered and voted
upon but of leading importance-nlhe that
would meet the great exigencies of the timA
oognizng property in slaves, but vote 81 taken
on it.
Mr.. TOOmbs submitted a series of resolutions en-
bracing substantially the principles of the Breckin-
ridge platform, but final action not taken on
them.
The committee adjourned to meet at 10 O'Clock on