Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-02-19
Peace Conference

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13tb-The Peace Confa,anca
is proceeding quietly with its labors but without
any definite Indication of what will he their ra
suit. The Committee having the varions nron.
ositions under consideration will not it is thonet.
be able to report for several days. The resoln-
tons submitted by Mr.. johnson. of MARYLAND for
the settlement of the Territorial question are said
to have met the appreciation of majority of the
Commute. Ex-Governor Wright, one of the
members of the Congress from Ohio, died at
Washington to-day.
THURSDAY, Feb 14th-The sub Committee of
the Peace Congress have adopted as basis of
agreement the propositions embodied 10 amend
ments to the Constitution proposed by Mr. Guth-
principal features of the Crittenden Compromise
and the Border State resolutions. 1t establishes
sinvountary servitude" in all the territory south
of the old Missouri Compromise line, protects it
there whilst the territorial condition continues,
and allows the inhabitants when forming State
to determine for themselves the question of sla-
very. Other guarantees are provided with ref
erence to the future acquisition of new territory,
the amendment of the Constitution, &c. The
Committee are expected to report to the Peace
Congress Tomorrow Hopeful views are taken
as to the probability of the adoption of the plan
FRIDAY, Feb. 15th-The Committee of the
Peace Congress to-day reported to that body the
plan of Compromise agreed upon. The specific
provisions agreed upon will probably not be &C,
curately known until acted upon By the Congress,
but they are understood to be modification and
adoption of the essential features of the Critten
den compromise, the Border State resolutions
and of Mr.. Guthrie's proposition. Messrs Sed
den, of Virginia, Ruffin, of North Carolina, and
Doniphan, of Missouri, are reported to have dis
sented from the conclusions of the Committee,
but will not make a minority report. Maryland,
Tennessee and Kentucky, through their represen
tatlves in the Committee, are understood to con-
cur in the report. Elk President Tyler, and
Messrs. Sedden and Brockenbrough, of the Vir-
ginia delegation, it is stated, will recommend the
Convention of that State to reject the plan, but
Messrs. Rves and Summers, whose position is
substantially that affirmed by the result of the e.
lection of delegates, will urge its adoption.
Thirty-Sixth Congressional Session.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13th-The formal counting
of the electoral vote for President and ViceP Pres
ident took place to day, according to the forms
prescribed by the Constitution, before Congress,
assembled in joint session in the Hall of the House
of Representatives. The ceremony crowded the
galleries of the House with spectators, but was
in no other way marked by any incidents not
common to the occasion.
In the United States Senate to-day Mr.. Sew.
ard gave notice of an amendment to the Tariff
bill to strike out the provision modifying the
warehouse system. The bill for the reorganiza-
ton of the military system of the District of CO.
lumbia was recommitted, objection being made
to the provision requiring the privates to take an
| oath of fealty to the United States.
| THURSDAY, Feb. 14th-In the United States Sem
alta to day, after the morning hour, during which
| a large number of petitions were presented re-
ferring to the action of Congress on the Nation
al crisis, the Tariff bill was taken up. Mr. Hun
ter made an anti-tariff Speech and was replied to
| by Mr.. Simmons The Senate then went into
| executive session.
| To the House to-day efter variety of unim-
portant business, Mr.. Howard, from the Select
Committee, submitted report in relation to the
existence of an organization to take possession of
the Capital. The Committee are of the opinion
that such an organization has existed, but does
| not now exist. Mr.. Branch submitted minority
report with resolution declaring TINT the assem-
blage of troops at Washington was impoltic and
offensive, destructive to civil liberty, and in the
opinion of the House they ought to be removed
Mr.. Kunke, of this State, made violent and ILL
tempered attack upon Governor Hicks. Mr..
Webster defended the Governor, endorsing him
as wise and patriotic officer, who had acted
properly in all he had done. Mr.. Hughes COM
menced to reply in al excited strain, but was
| ruled out of order. Mr.. Branch's resolution was
laid on the tabe-yeas 1876, nays 80.