Wabash express., 1860-12-19
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON. December II.


lttack or domestic violence whether ad-
litional men had boen ordered Z. either of
laid Forts. or any steps taken to pu, them
m condition to resist any attack; in whc-e
custody the arsenal at Charleston is placed !
what arms and property are there kept. or
Il removed. by whom; why sail arms are
not put in possession Of officers of the U S
upon a requisitionl or if this has ever been
refused; and further, what instructions
have been given to the officers Of said Forts
in case of demand to surrender them by
any person in authority made upon them;
also the copies Of any correspondence be
tween the Commander in Chief Of the
American army in relation to the necessity
Of supplying the officers of said Forts with
protection, was taken up.
Mr. Brown objected to its consideration
and twas laid over.
5000 additional copies Of the Presidents
Message and accompanying documents
were ordered. 20
Mr. Mason moved that Wednesday and
Thursday of next week be set apart for
Territorial business.
Agreed to.
At o'clock Mr. Powelrs resolution was
taken up.
Mr. Wade said he had very little further
argument under the circumstances now ex-
isting in this country: he did not under
stand that anything growing out of the re-
cent election was any cause for the present
condition Of the country.
If the papers are to be credited there is
a reign Of terror in the South equal TO that
IN Paris; he did not blame the South, for
they had been led to believe the Repubi
eau party will trample on all their rights,
and by our avowed enemies. The North
would be the last to advocate laws derog-
atory to the interests Of any State their
personal liberty bills were not made to de-
grade the South, but to protect the free
States from unlawful seizures; whore the
South had lost one mau we had lost tw
by unlawful mobs; the South own the Sen.
ate aud President, he did not see what
they had to complain of.
He then went on to argue that the Re-
publican party was now the same it ever
had been. that it stood where Washington,
Jefferson, Jackson and Clay stood it holds
the doctrine that slavery shall not exist i q
the Territories.
He said the day Of compromises is at an
end; after the experience We had had in
Congress it is absolutely ridiculous TO talk
about them; the moment the American
people cut Loose from the sheet anchor OF
Liberty, that moment the Republic is at
an end; we must submit to the unalterable
verdict of the people. he said it would
yield to no compromise; we had won vic
tory as all others had won; the controversy
must be met alone by the Constitution, and
when we 60 astray from that we shall gel
into difficulty.
The South claims the constitutional
right to secede from the Union; il that be
so we have not and never had govern
ment; South Carolina is small State and
. we should not miss her much if swallowed
up by an earthquake to morrow; for him.
self, he would allow her to go, but as 9
member of this Congress and a supporter
of the Constitution be could not do so;
State has no constitutional right to 60 out
they can revolutionize-if they conqaer
they are right; If they are conquered-they
are rebels.
HOUSE.-John Cochrsne offered pre-
amble, setting forth that conflict Of opin
ion threatening the peace and harmony ol
the Union, has arisen concerning the true
sentiment and meaning of that part of the
Constitution relating to African slavery
within the Territory Of the United States,
and that the opinion of majority of the
Supreme Court of the United States, as de.
livered by Chief-Justice Taney, recogni-
zing property in slaves, should be receiv.
ed as the settlement of the question as
therein discussed and decided. He also
proposed as an amendment to the Consti-
tuition, that Congress shall have the pow
er to establish governments for any Terri
tory, and the people therein having adopt
ed State Constitution. may be admitted
into the Union, and th at neither Congress
nor the people during their Territorial con-
dition, shall pass any law to annull or i'm
pair the rights of property therein-refer
red to the select committee.
Mr.. Florence submitted the following
resolution:
Resolved, That the following amend
th e United States, the right Of property in
slaves is recognized and no law shall be
passed. and soothing shall be done to i'm
pair, obstruct or prevent the full and free
enjoyment and use of such rights in any
Territory and other property of the Uni
ted States.
On motion of Mr.. Grow, Wednesday and
Thursday were set apart for the consider
alton OF Territorial business.
The Speaker laid before the House let
ter from the Secretary of the Interior, ask
ing for an appropriation to supply the de-
ficiencies for the suppression of the slave
trade for the fiscal years ending 1861 and
1862.
On motion Of Mr.. Garter, two weeks from
next Tuesday was set apart for the con-
sideration of business relating to the Dis
.rict OF Columbia.
Mr.. Adams. of Ky. introduced bin to
more effectually protect the rights Of citi-
.ens of the United States. II provides
for the obstruction to the exc
sutton of the Fugitive Slave law, and
he damages for the loss Of rescued
lave double the amount of the value to
'e recovered by action in the States or
Federal Courts-referrel TO select com
nittee of 80.
Mr.. Scott introduced a bill, authorizing
he p. NJ. General to contract with the Po
y Express for the transportation Of gov
rnmcnt mail ailmatter-refsrred TO the p. o.
Committee.