Smyrna times., 1860-12-20
Congress-,

congress-,
The great business before Congress is still
the Perllous condition of our country, nor does
the committee of "thirty-three," APPOINTED to
deVlse some plan to meet the exigencies of the
caSe' appear to be any nearer definite eonclu.
slon' and there are apprehensisns that they
VIII soon break up without doing anything
In the meantime many propositions have been
presented for basis upon which TO adjust the
difficulty.
In the House on Wednesday the prominent
features OF the propositions were the election
OF President by Congressional districts, so as
10 prevent the success OF a sectional candidate :.
the restoration Of the Missouri Compromise :
the amendment Of the Constitution SO a to re.
cognlze distinctly slaves as property; the
amendment of the Fugitive Slave Law, proyi.
ding for an etfectual execution of it, allowing
slaVe-hoders TO carry slaves intrdnSitu through
tree States, aud hold them there temporar,lv.
| making states pecunlarly responsible for the
violent or illegal re cue OF slaves within their
borders, &c. One plan proposes the voluntary
sub dIvlslen of the Slave States so as TO retain
the Senate an equal representation.
In the Senate Thursday Mr.. Johnson, Tenn.
introduced joint resolution proposing amend.
ments to the Constitution, providing that Sc.
nators be chosen only by the people, limiting
the term Of Judges Of Supreme Court to twelve
years,-one-halfo of them TO come from Slave
States; the President to be chosen alternately
from the slave and free States; also PROPOSING
amendments to the fugitive slave law and
slave representation. The resolution was laid
over under the rule.
Both Houses adjourned over till Monday
In the Senate Monday a resolution was pre. |
sented by Mr.. Clark, of N. H.. REQUESTING tho |
President to inform Congress as to the number
OF men stationed at Fort Mouitrie and Snmn.
ter. Whether the number in garrison was
sufhclent to defend the works from assaults or
domestic violence, and in regard to the l.. s
Arsenal at Charleston, who it was held by. and
why the arms, etc, were not delivered upon
requlstlon of the U. S. authorities. Mr.. Brown
O' MISS, objected to the consideration of this
tloh, and 1t was consequently laid over.
In the House Mr.. Cochrane, of N. Y, said
That the opinion given by the Supreme Court
should settle the question, he therefore pro-
posed an amendment to the Constitution. that
Congress may establish governments for apv
territory, but during its continuance as a terri.
Tory neither Congress nor the people shall
pass any laws to asnul or impair the right of
property therein. This was referred In the
special committee. A resolution was also re-
'erred which was presented by Mr.. Floren e.
ol Fena., which recognizes slaves as propertv
ana demands that it shall be recognized as
such IN all the territories and other propertv
oil the United State. And no new States are
TO be admitted unless by vote of two thirds
OF all the members Of Congress. The follow.
ing resolution and preamble, offered bv Mr.
AdraIn, OF New Jersey, wus adopted bv a vote
VI Iol against Ii: Whereas, The Cons,itu.
'ion OF The United States is the supreme law of .
Inc land, and ready and faithful obedience 10
II the duty OF all good and law-abidinp citi.
zens: therefore " Resolved, That we denTec,t.
'he spirit OF disobedence to the Constitution.
Wherever manifested, and that we earnes,lv
recommend the repeal of all statutes by State
legislatures in conflict with, and in violation
Of that sacred instrument, and the laws of
Congress passed in pursuance thereof" Sew. ,
erdI amendments were offered to THE and re- ;
lected' Dir. LoveJoy, of Illinois, offered
: 'mhar resolution, though at the request of Mr.
Logan, OF Illinois, (who said that all citizens ,
should respect the Constitution he struck ont
the words law abiding" He also added
recommendation for the repeal of all nullfca.
llon laws, and that it was the duty of the Pre-.
sldent to protect all the property of the u. S.
objection was made to the resolution bv sone
one on the democratic side, but under sus.
pension OF the rules it was passed by a vote of
u yeas and no nays. MIR. Reuben Davis. of
NJ 1851 asked and obtained leave to be excused
lron serving on the committee of thirtv.three