The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-01-18
CONGRESS.

speech against DouSiaS position In regard 10 Sla-
very in the Territories. He said that if the Char
lesion Convention refused to recognize the princ-
pie Of protection to slave property in the Territories
southern delegates should withdraw from it. and
if Republican President should be elected the
Union ought to be dissolved Mr. Iverson talks
strangely-if the democratic party is divided at
Charleston, Black Republican will certainly be
elected; and if he wants to prevent such event,
it is bad plan to advise the withdrawal of south
ern delegates from the democratic national conven-
tion. Mr. Davis of Miss, introduced a bill to al
low the Government to sell Arms to the different
States wanting them, far they could be spared
Mr. Gwin introduced bill to organize the ter
ritory of Nebraska. Mr. Brown gave notice of a
bill to establish Government printing office. Mr.
Davis introduced bills to facilitate enlistment of
soldiers in the Army; to fix the pay and regulate
the allowances of the officers and of the army and
to promote the efficiency of the army by retiring
disabled and infrm officers All of which we're
referred to the Committee on Naval and Military
affairs
In the House, on the 9th, three ballots were ia
ken for Speaker-Sherman 105; Hamilton, dem,
of Texas, 50; Glmer 18; scattering 8.
Mr. Smith, of Virginia, made humorous ex-
PLANTATION as to his tasting eggnog on the Goth of
December, which was kindly sent him by lady
while he was speaking on that occasion. Although
not strictly speaking, a temperance man, he was
remarkably temperate. He had not taken glass
ofsprits and water for IS years, although, he ac-
knowledged, he liked little gg-nog about Christ
mas times. lie called attention to the remarks of
an opposition paper, the Alexandria Gazette, in
his district, which represented him strict
temperance man.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-The Senate, to-day,
was engaged in the discussion of Douglas sound
ness.
In the House, to-day, some democrats and others
endcavored to obtain the withdrawal Of Clark's
resolution relative to a Helperite Speaker, and
substitute one less harsh in expression. MIR
Clark refused to withdraw the resolution, and an
exciting debate ensued, during which pistol fell
from The pocket Of Mr. Haskns, who was speaking
very energetically at the time. This caused quite
scene, and general collision was feared, some
believing that assault on Clark intended
The Sergt-at-arms restored quiet, and explanations
followed. There was no ballot for Speaker.
On the 11th, ballot for Speaker resulted as
follows: Sherman 1O6, Hamilton IS, Gilmer rs.
JANUARY 13-In the House Gov Pennington,
Republican, Of New jersey, offered a resolution
proposing to elect Speaker by plurality VOTE
and called the previous question, but without
being able to get vote upon his resolution, the
House adjourned until Monday.
In the House on the 10th, the following debate
occurred:
Mr. Leake, of Va, Dem, desired to ask Mr.
Edwards Republican, of New Hampshire, if he
believed that man who favored the abolition of
slavery by violence, and the encouragement of
civil discord in any of the States of the Union,
was fit tc be Speaker Of the House For himself,
he would say that that portion of the Union which
he represented would consider the election of
who had endorsed~the Helper book, as
premeditated Insult, and would take such steps to
resent that insult as the occasion might require,
if that step be the first towards the dissolution
of the Union.
Mr. Edwards said that the doctrines of the book
an abstraction, and that the discussion which
had arisen upon it the discussion Of an abstrac-
ton.
Mr. Houston of Ala, desired to ask Mr. Edwards
if he was opposed to resolutions setting rule of
action for the House in the election of Speaker
how could he vote for j ohm Sherman, who in the
3ith Congress led off in series of similar resolu-
tions, declaring that no man was fit to be Speaker
who approved Of the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise.
Mr. Clark, of n. Y, antiLecompton Democrat,
desired to ask Mr. Edwards II he would vote tor
man whoin his heart maintained the proscriptive
and intolerant doctrines of the Helper book read
from the Clerks desk.
Mr. Edwards said that in private conversation he
would not object to reply to the gentleman, but as
a representative on this foor he did not feel called
on to explain anything.
Mr. Morris, of Penn., would say in answer to Mr.
Leake that if Ire did not know from Mr. Sherman
that he bitterly opposed to the horrible
doctrines of the Helper book, which had been read
at the Clerks desk, he would not vote for him.
He knew that Mr. Sherman was opposed to any
interference with the relation of and slave.
Mr. Leake desired to know if, when Mr. Sherman
endorsed the Helper book, whatever his ignorance
about it mi ght have been, did he not know that it
was book intended to interfere with the relation
of master and slave rithin the sovereign States.
MIR Morris replied that if the resolution of MIR
Clarke was withdrawn, Mr. Sherman could then,
without injury to his self-respcct, explain his
sentiments in regard to every page of the Helper
book if need be, and would do so.
Mr. Leak said that not only Mr. Sherman but
ffty-one other gentlemen the other side had
endorsed that book The resolution of MIR Clark
was directed at the whole Of them.
Mr. Edwards continued his remarks and was
succeeded by
Mr. Wright, of Tenn, Dem, who addressed the
House for some time in opposition to the principles
of the Black Republican party. In the course of
his speech, Mr. Wright desired to know if MIR Hill,
Wing of Georgia, had not said that in the event Of
the refusal of Congress to protect Slavery in the
Territories he would favor dissolution of the