The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-12


Kansas. ~
This caused general interchange Of expressions be-
ween Messrs Davis, Wigfan, Brown douglas pend
ng which, on motion OF Mr. Wiga the senate at half
past four adjourned
House OF Representatives.
WASHINGTON, Dec IL, 1860
TIE oursnoN ExcusNG MEMBERS THE
COMMITTEE or THIRTY niRhE-DEBAIE oS I1lE STATE
TIE COUNTRY
Mr.. CoBB, (opp.) Of Ala, resumed the debate the
motion of Mr. Hawkins to be excused from serving
the Committee Of Thirty three He said if no under
stood Alright the first question in order the
tion to excuse the gentleman from Florida from serving
on the Special Committee Of Thirty three appointed
Thursday last II his purpose make speech
because he satisfied that the eyes OF the whole
try were directed To what this House should do ard
the report that this committee should make He was
anxious that something should proceed from that
mittee, hopng-hough he his hopes we're
very fainthat something would from the action
Of that committee to restore peace the country IL
anything TO be done which would have the effect of
causing his State Alabama remain in the Union must
be done Immediately for election for representatives
TO State Convention TO take place the cath Of
this month and the Convention is the 7h Of
next He would like to present his views in relation
the various questions which that committee would be
called upon to consider, but duty admonshed him TO
withhold those views and ask particularly that the
previous question be order that they might
have vote upon the proposition Ia the member
from Florida, they would have similar propositions
act upon in regard to other members and therefore the
time Of the House would be occupied in discussing each
question, when there not moment to
lose. The public mind was now in anxious sus-
peDse and therefore something ought To be
done Immediately What the crowded state Of
the galleries here TO day. He asked the question:
easily ,h because ., & hs @ ~ which
the country, they we're looking daily, yea hourly for
this House to do something Should they now monopo
lze the time that should be occupied by this committee
discussing questions which would come up in all proba
by after the report OF the committee lie thought not
He trusted that when he asked for previous question
debate would be terminated, and his call sustained
He glad 10 by the papers this morning that
action was being bad in the North which would have
tendency TO change the public mind CLEAN of light
had already from Boston He hoped that the North
would meet in her conventions and wherever election
held demonstrate to the couny that there
returning Justice and that the questions which
had agtated the country heretofore would be taken hold
q by the people themselves and 50 disposed Of az 70
give satisfaction 10 the country He again expressed tho
hope that the committee would endeavo to present some
measures which would restore harmony 70 this now dis
tracted country. Az far his state concerned
he would say that he knew she would remain in
this confedeacy longer than the 18th of January unless
something was done. His prayer was that something
might be done TO enable her TO remain in the Union upon
constitutional and equal principles lie was not scces
sonst He desired peace, but he desired predicatcd
upon the principles OF the constitution. lie called
| the previous question
M pyE Sopp Of ,soas Mics Mr. :as,,as spsaker
| the gentleman from Alabama.
Mr. Davr-I hope tho gentleman from Alabama viii
withdraw II for afcw moments VIII not detain tho
House long.
Mr.. Cosr-wIn the gentleman renew it whs he has
concludedy
Mr.. DAvE-I VIII do So sir.
MIR. CoBE--Then withdraw il.
Mr. DAVIS said-Mr. speaker, tho member from
Florida (Mr Hawkins), and the member from South
Carolina (Mr. Boyce), have each requested this
House to relieve them from serving on this
committee and have given their reasons there
for nat ha iup In ma n ytxa
explanation OF my determined course Of action.
accept the appointment and shall meet and act with tho
committee. For this course may be blamed here, and
censured at home; still my Judgment dictates this
proper and AZ my conscience approves u, de-
y the worlds opinion. stand here to-day not the rep
resenatve OF my preferences but tn represen-
tave Of the feelings and interests Of fourteen thousand
voters Their nt~ests and their wishes shall b. the rule
Of my action while hold scat upon this noor trust
however 10 b. allowed express regrets that the
resolution creating this committee came from southern
member distinguished representative of the Common
wealth of Virginia and whose action endorsed by
very large majority Of members from the Southern
States cannot, therefore, consider IL dishonorablc
to H. While expect nothing useful to the har
mony of the country from the action of this committee
shall guard against It's being made TO operate 10 arrest the
present action Of the southern States in the they
making their equality and rights out Of the
Onion since they have been unable 10 secure them In "
South demands that the members Of this committee from
the souhern states should all withdraw and leave the
republican members 70 meet, consult and submit an u
matum for the separate consideration u the various dele
cations from the southern states Since however, th
viii not be done shall act with them in the hope thai
Southern member will disregard his sefrespcct
| 10 propose terms tho Northern members. am o
the opinion that our present constitution rs quite ample
TO to the Southern States all rights State
dvidual, ~ honest and faithfully administered strict
accordance with its letter and spirit and the conscience
OF the republican party will not allow IL visions bo
executed do not hope to find any security IN
promise, in reconstruction Of the constitution Tho
only safe guarantee we can rely upon Is In evidence
that fanaicism has been extingulshed In the minds
of the people of the North, and that Of JUS
tice has been restored. II has well been said "our
Union rests upon public opinion Then, II IL lives at
all u must live the affections Of the people but thst
has been entirely extnguished, at least far the
rspu bcan party ls concerned have hop. of main
tanning u by cemTromse by the use 0f the sword.
Any policy, then, Of the dominant republican party
which destroys s affection for the Union Va the
tho people o the slave States must and has already de-
stroyed the only cord that bind the Union. In my
Judgment the subject matter referred 10 this committee
does not properly belong to this House and should
have originated here The alarming controversy which
now 80 generally dsturbs the popular mind Of this
nation out of principles and systems advanced by
which, IN the estimation of the slave states,
subyersiye the constitutional compact between the
states and directly at with their safety and mate
rial interests. II has thus become a direct be-
tween the states and only be adjusted by them.
We cannot do anything controversy Ike this to bind
the states, and II vs. fruess try H. The Senators are
the representatives Of the Statcs and any action had
by Congress this subject II should have originated
with them and not with can but regard THIS COM
mee tub thrown out 70 the whae W smuse only WI
the 4h of March next and then arrest the present
BILE and manly movements ~ the southern States and
provide by for their security and safety out
Of the Union With these views take my place on the
committee for the purpose ~ preventing being made
a means Of deception, by which the public mind " 70 be
ujslcd and misguided, yet intending honestly and pa
L IN ertertau prCpesftiun