The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-01-27
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH
xXXvfth CONGREss-1st SESSION.
WASHINGTON. January 20.

tWAShiN4IuNb JAM uaIy 70.
SENATE.-Mr. Rice introduced q bill to
relieve mail contractors.
Mr.. Deniamin introduced bill to authorize
the Missionary Societies Of the Episcopal
Church TO enter certain tract of land in Wis
consin. Referred.
Mr.. Bright introduced resolution to iu-
crease tho Committee on Claims to seven.
Adopted.
The Vice. President was authorized to ap-
point the two additional members.
Mr.. Hunter wished Mr.. Douglass resolu-
tion called up and made the special order for
Tuesday at half-past one o'clack, as hSwished
speak on 1t.
MIR. Davis objected on the ground that
committee had been appointed to investigate
the Harper's Ferry raid, and suggested any
legislation which may be necessary. He re-
fsrred to Mr. Douglas remarks, that Mr.. Bu-
chapan's letter, in reply to Governor Wise, was
regarded by the South az IN official announce-
ment; that the Constitution and laws confer
red no power upon the President to protect
one State from invasion by another. For him
self he had formed no such impression, lie
thought 1t put the. President in false atti-
tude, and desired the Secretary to read the
correspondence, which was done.
Mr.. Davis remarked that It was evident
from the letter of the President, that he did
not deny the power Of the Federal Govern
ment to pass the necessary laws to protect the
States from invasion. He only said that no
power had been conferred on him to do what
the Governor of Virginia asked. The power
belonged to Congress, and no. to the Execu.
tive. Tho President had no power to call out
the militia, and the policy Of the founders Of
tho Government was to restrict the Executive
power. He never would be willing to grant
the President power to call out the militia or
to invade State. The Presidents letter did
not deny the power of Congress to pass all
laws necessary to carry out the provisions of
the Constitution. He would never consent
from motives Of temporary expediency, to in
vest the Executive with great centralizing
power.
Mr.. Douglas said the Senator from Wiscon.
ain certainly could not have read his speech.
Ho made no criticism on the Presidents
letter; made no issue with him. His impress
sion on reading the Presidents letter was
that he thought the Constitution conferred no
power on tho Federal Governmen to interfere,
though he might have meant that tho Con-
stitution and laws gave him (the president)
more power; still ho desired to make no issue
with the President. His only object was to
secure the enactment Of official laws to extend
the constitutional power of Congress. He had
carefully avoided putting any construction on
mis- letter, and had no desire to assail the
President or make issue with him.
The Senator from Mississippi had minated
that they wanted Legislation that would au
thorize the invasion Of States, and then went
On to show that the President did not differ
with him. ....,f.p
Mr.. Davis asked IL be wished the President
clothed with authority to upbress conspiracy
Mr.. Douglas replied no. He only wished
the grand juties in tho United States Courts
to indict, and the Courts to punish the con-
apirators when convicted. He never wished
to put any ono at the head Of the army 10
seek out and punish offenders. He only
wanted to give the Courts Jurisdiction over
these cases, but If military force from one
State be in tho act Of invading another, then
he wanted to authorize tho employment Of
military force to repsl invasion.
Mr.. Davis said it was not necessary to attack
every one of tho States to constitute treason
An attack on one State was an attack on the
Union itself, and was treason. u
Mr.. Douglas contouded that an attack on
Virginia without desire to affect the Federal
Government, was only treason against vir.