Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-20
CONGR EssIOsaL-

SENATE Yesterday, after we went to press
The Presiding QfRcer (Mr, Foot In the chair
announcsd TINT the houf for taking up the special
TIE hrst special ordsrl was the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad bin, which was postponed sntil
The senate thsn resumed the consideration :,
MI: Johnsons lesolution proposing amendment
Mr.. johnson resumed his remarks on the rssolu.
ton OF Nc Powell, continued from Tuesday.
the personal liberty bill Of the State Of Vermont
Mr.. johnson said II was not altogether satisfac.
tory. The reply Of Mr.. Collamer TO certain In
quiries made by him, Mr.. J. y az regards its con-
the law Of Vermont was gross palpable violation
Of the Constitution Of the United States
Mr. johnson then referred to and took up the
discussion Of the doctrine of secession prefacinp
with the remark that "whilst there 10 no power
In the Federal Government 10 coerce a State there
is full power to coeree individuals who might set
themselves in conflict with the Constitution and
laws of the United States" 1t applies to Yer
mont; and equally to every State in the Union.
Mr. J quoted from great number of conotitu-
tiona authorities to enforce bis position reciting
the circumstances Of the purchase Of the land on
which Forts Monltrie and Sumter Were built by
the United states, and contended that South Car
olina had no right to lay her hands on the prop
erty OF the whole country. IL the doctrine Of
secession be true, then Calfornis, which has cost
the United States one hundred and thirty -one
millions, could go out of the Union at her
pleasure, and the Union could obtain ne redress
The cases Of the ten millions paid for Mexico, and
the sum paid for Louisiana and Florida, were
also commented upon, and reference made to the
proposed purchase of Cuba.
Mr.. johnson read several extracts Of letters from
Governor Gist and Mr.. Keitt, going to show that
the policy Of South Carolina IL solitary and selfish
and hostile to the northern slave States a. the
policy Of the most violent abolitionists. Dissou-
ton, he thought, would utterly overthrow the
Institution Of slavery, and that the division will
MT Ear yalx ~ txrr4
petty sovereigntes, requiring passports to 90 from
one to the other. He would prefer consolidated
government to this condition Of confusion, il the
form OF goverpment was to change at all Mr.
Johnson asked what sort Of government that Of
the Southern Confectionery would be This gov
eminent was quite good enough for Washington
Jefferson, and other glorious names that had shed
iustre on our history, aud was good enough for
him. Those very men who now threaten dis
union admit that had Mr.. Breckenridge been
elected they would not undertake to break the
Union. On that principle, how are they justified
In doing so because an jther candidate was sue
cessful? Mr.. Lincoln was lawfully elected. Mr.
declared that IL the democrats pleased they still
had the power in their own hands, for that Lin
coin was but minority President. He was an
advocate for a change In the manner of electipp
the President and preferred the single district
system, which he would have inserted as an
amendmentto the Constitution. Let South Caro-
lima send her Senators back, and on the 4th of
March next we should have majority of six In
this body, which would keep LII ncoln from having
Cabinet until the Senate chose him to do 60
Mr. J. declared his determination to keep in the
Union and try the fate Of another contest with the
republicans In 1854, when he believed the repub.
licans would be defeated.
MIR. Lane said IL the principles of protection to
their property, and justice and equality to the
south, are not maintained, this Government could
not exist. Mr.. Lincoln was elected upon his ODD
position to these principles He differed with the
Senator on the theory OF the Union; 1t is yolun-
tary association Of States. Washington, he said,
unionisf; IL he could not get his rights In the
Union he would seek them out of ii He thought
disunion prolific Of better future Union, with a
much better government; since the presen, gov
eminent 10 a failure. However, he thought
nothing had happened to indicate mans incapa-
city to govern himself.
On motion of Mr.. Pugh, the Senate adjourned.
HousE.-After our report closed
Mr.. Sherman proposed further to amend the de-
hciency bill by an appropriation Of s9OO,OOO to
any subsequent acts for the suppression of the
African slave trade.
Mr. Phelps, Of Mo. objected.
Mr. Sherman sent to the Chair a letter from the
Secretary OF the Interior urging the necessity of
this appropriation, which was read to the House
Mr.. Maynard and Mr. Crawford were opposed
to 90 large an appropriation as IL involved cost
beyond that Contemplate by the act
MIR. Burnett moved an amendment to appropri.
ate $3.50 ono only
Messrs. Cobb, Reagan and Clemens spoke q.
ieng.n upon a more enectual mode Of suppressing
the African slave trade.
Messrs Cochrane, Brigham and Kunkel also
made some remarks on the subject.
The vote was then taken on Mr. Burpett,s
amendment to reduce the sum to $50, 900, and 1t
was rejected.
The Committee then rose and reported the bill
to the House with amendments, which was con
Cured In by the House, and the bill passed-yeas
40, nays 60
Mr.. Florence introduced the following resolu-
ton:
ReSolred, the Senate concurring, That when the
House adjourn tomorrow Ii will adjourn to meet
on the 9TH Of January, 1861.
The question being put this resolution was
negatived by vote Of 81 to g.
The House then adjourned.