Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-12-20
/ ATE n E w S.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGsS.

CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
WAsurssr n, Dec. Is.
HousE.-The Speaker laid bsfore the House
a letter from Mr.. Washburne of Me-, informing
him that he has placed iu the hands of the Gov
ernor Of that State. bis resignation as Repre-
tentative to take effect on the l.t of January.
Mr. Stevens of Washington Territory. intro.
fuced resolution authorizing spec al enact
nent so as to enable the Secretary Of the In
terror to decide the validity Of the Puget
souOd Agricultural Company, also a resolution
having in view the employment Of War
steamer Oh Columbia River. The former was
referred to the Committee on Public Lanus, the
latter to that on Naval Affairs
Mr.. McCiernsnd Of III rose to personal ex.
plsnstion. Some friend Of his had forwarded
him the Ilitnois State Journal OF the 18th inst,
published III Springfield, where Mr.. Lincoln
and himself reside. That paper is edited by q
'aise and perverted specimen OF humanity
named Baker-a nephew OF the President
elect.
Mr. Crittendsn explained resolution he in
tended to off.r. 1t would practically rees-
tablish tho Missouri Compromise, declare that
Congress shall not interfere with slavery in
the states. provide for the faithful performance
OF the fugitive slave law, etc He said we
were in troubous times, which required con
cilintiOu bUu edcT!uCb Uy every 1oVtT VI Tue
Union. Calm reflection was nesessary. II
this mighty experiment be overhrown it will
be the gr. atest shock ever received by civiiiza-
tion n-worse than the French Revolution. sup
pose the Southern States come and ask TO 90
out, and ask for fair division, would the
North refuse! Would it not give them all
they havel Ia it mere then
party spirit now that prevents giving them all
they would get lby establishing the line
he proposed? What would they gain by re-
tusal 7 Nothing, but ali the fatal consequences
Of dsuuion. ln view Of these mighty couse-
queuce and great events, is it not better to set
Tie it on the Missouri Compromise line The
people We're satisfied with it again. 1t was h,s
eetted conviction that unless something is done
we would be a separated and divided people
in lcss than q K mODths. Is not this the cheap
es; price to pay Tor UnioLi Some people were
not afraid. but so sure they stood there dis
union would follow. and he feared it would
swallow old Kentucky, as true ) ate az yet
exists in the Unicn. He though. the North
ought to be satisfied, The South has only one
third the territory When we come to make
spetce Offering, do We measure carefully and
count every cent 1t Is glorious sacrifice of
the party to save the Union, Union which
had cost much eacrifice. Washington said
Providence helped them. Is this great work
to be dashed ip pieces? The present trouble
WIS the result Of long controversy, and we
have now come to place where the preser-
vation of the country demands the sacrifice of
party The highest duty of the Senate is to
preserve the Constitution and the Government
and hand it down to posterity. We are in =
position where history will record our
actions When We saw discord and danger We
showed bitter party spirit. our great country
"A rulu0d and the Qf all the
world the great Republic haa fallen our names
go down with stigma upon them. He wished
To God it was 10 mis- power to save the Union
giving up his private opinons-hs would fore.
20 every one. Is the South bent on revoiu-
.on' He did not hsiave in snch rradnass
He could speak for his Cwn Slate. Old Ken
lucky will be satisfied with this remedy, and
stand by the Union and die by it. He closed
with strong appeal to save the honor Of the
flag. and expressed the hope that such would
be the case. lie then offered the folio wing
resolution:
WHEREAS. Alarming dissensions have srisen
betw ween the Northern and Southern States, as
to the rights Of the common Territory of the
United States, and it is itnminently desirous
AMI proper that the dissentions be settled by
Constitutional provisions. which give equal
Justice to eli sections and thereby restore peace
therefore
Resolved. That by the Senate and House of
Representatives, the folio wing article be pro-
posed and submitten amendment to the
Constitution, which shall be valid as part of
the Constitution. when ratified by the conven-
tione of three-fourths oil the people Of the
states.
Fret In all the Territories now or hereaf.
ter acquired north of latitude sc degrees 80
minutes, slavery or involuntary servi,ude. ex-
~ for tha mn iahment of crlT Ia rohibltpi
while in all the Territory South OF that slavery
is hereby recognized as existing. and shs not
oe intsrfersd with by Congress, but shall be
protected as property by all departments of
the Territorial government during its contin
uance All the Territory north or south Of
said line, within such boundaries as Congress
NAV prescribe, when it contains a population
necessary for q member of Congress. with a
republican form Of government. shall be ad
United into the Union GU equality with
the original States, with or without slavery,
a. the constitution Of the State shall pre-
scribe.
Second. Congress shall have no authority
to abolish slavery in the States permitting
eiavery.
Third Congress shall have 40 power to
abolish slavery in the District Of Columbia
while it exists in Virginia and Meryland. or
either nor shall Congress At any time pro
hbit the officers OF the government, or mem
pers of Congress whose duties require them
to live iu the District Of Colum bia. from
bringing slaves there ard holding them as
such.
Fourth Congress shali have no power to
hinder the transportation OF slaves rom ono
State to another. whether by land, navigable
rivers or sea-
Fifth. Congress shall have no power by law
to pay an owner who shall apply for the full
value Of = fugitive slave in all cases when
the marshal 10 prevented from discharaing his
duty by force or rescue made after arrest
Ia all such cases the owner shall have power
to sue the county in which the violence or
rescue was made and the county shall have
the right to sue the individuals who commit
ted the wrong in the same manner IS the
owner could sue
Sixth No future amendment or ANN end
ments shall affect the preceding articlee, and
Congress shall never have power to interfere
with slavery within the states where it is
now permitted. The last resolution declares
that the Southern States hav, right to the
faithful execution Of the law for the recov-
cry Of slaves, and that such laws ought not
to be repealed, or at least be modified SO as
to impair their efficiency; all laws in conflict
with the fugitiue slave law 1t shall not be
deemed improper for Congress to ask the re-
peal Of the fugitive slave law ought to be so
altered as to make the fee Of the commissioner
equal. whether he d cdes for or against the
claimant that the clause authorizing the per-
con holding the warraa. to summon possee
eonaitotus to be so as to restrict it 10 cases
where violence rescue 9 attempted ; the
laws for the suppression of the African slave
i II ~ Ha,