The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-12-28
Proceedings Of the Senate Select Com.
mittee.

The Washington correspondent Of the n
Y. Herald, telegraphs the proceedings of this
Committee at their meeting on Saturday:
The Committee of Thirteen were in session
to-day six hours and half, considering va
rious propositions to arrest the progress OF
dissolution ind give peace to the country.
The amendment to the Constitution pro-
posed by Mr.. Crittenden, to settle the con-
troversy between the North and the South
finally and forever, by division of the coun.
try from ocean to ocean, on the parallel OF
the Missouri line, was the great subject oil
discussion. Messrs. Crittendcn, Douglas and
Bigler maintained it with great zeal and abil.
ity.
Mr.. Douglas reiterated his former deter.
mination to consider the question for the
preservation of the country, as though he
had never cast vote or uttered sentiment
on the subject before. If that mode of com.
promise would not answer, he declared him
self willing to go for any other consistent
with honor or justice.
The appeals of Mr.. Crittendcn in behalf
of the Union are said to have been eloquent
and sublime. lie, too, was willing to EN-
brace any other effective mode of adjustment.
Mr.. Bigler of Pennsylvania preferred q di.
vision by line across the country, because
in that way the question of slavery could be
taken out Of Congress and separated entirely
from the popular elections in the North
without which we never could have perma-
nent peace.
McsB. Wade, Doolittlc. Collamer and
Grimes opposed the proposition with much
earnestncss and ability. They maintained
that the people in the late election decided
the question Of slavery IN Territories, and,
therefore, they had no concessions to make
or offer. They manifested great unwilling
ness to act in the absence Of Mr.. Seward, but
as they could give no assurance Of his immc-
date return, the committee declined to defer
action on account of his absence.
Messrs. Davis, Toombs and Hunter dis
cussed the unhappy condition of the coun-
try with unsurpassed ability, and whilst man.
iGesting willingness to accept any measures
of fnai settlement which would secure their
lust rights in the Union, insisted that propo-
sitions must come from the dominant party
the Republicans.
The vote on Mr.. Crittenden's proposition
was rs follows:
For the roposition-Nlessn. Biglcr, Crit
tcnden, Douglas, Rice and Powell-5.
AGAINST it-Nlessrs. Davis, Doolittle, Col
lamcr, Wade, Toombs, Grimes and Hunter
-.
Messrs. Hunter, Toombs and Davis never
tbeless intimated un inclination to 60 for it
il the Republicans would propose it in good
faith. -,
The second proposition submitted by Mr.
Crittenden, denying the right OF Congress to
abolish slavery in the dockyards and arsenals,
ms voted against by Messrs. Collamer, Doc
little. Grimes and Wade. The remainder Of
tho committee voted for the proposition. but
as II had not a majority of the Republicans
!, was defeated, under the rules adopted by
the committee that no proposition should be
considered adopted and recommended to the
Senate which did not receive a majority oi
the Republican votes, and also majority Of
those opposed to them.
The third clause. denying to Congress the
r;cbt TO abolish slavery in the District Of
Columbia, was defeated by the same vote,
the Republicans oil voting against 1t, and
Tho remainder OF the committee for it.
The fourth clause. establishing the right
If transit, was defeated by the same vote.
The fifth, which is intended to perfect the
fugitive slave law, by requiring the several
States to pay for fugitiyes who might be res
cucd 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 none Of leading Importance
mono that would meet the great cxisencies
Of the times.
Mr.. Davis submitted resolution, express
ly recognizing property in slaves, but no vote
was taken on it.
Mr.. Toombs submitted series of resolu-
tions, embracing substantially the principles
Of the Breckinridge platform, but final ac-
ton was not taken on them.
The committee adjourned to meet at ten
on Monday morning.
Great fears are entertained that the COM
mittee will never agree; but ITS labors will
be prosecuted with the utmost vigor 70 D.
nal conclusion. In this particular 1t will
differ most strikingly from the House CON-
mittee.
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