Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-03-16
CONGRESSIONAL.


sBNATE.-when our report closed yesterday,
Mr.. Douglas was addressing the Senate on bis
resolution relative to the public property In the
seeding States
He did not believe that Congress would confer
upon the President power to collect the revenues,
bring back forts &c. The political friends OF the
President did not confer the power on him to do
so at the last session Of Congress when they had
Mr.. Fessenden wished to know when, for a
single day. during the last session Of Congress the
republicans had a majority. They Were in the
Mr.. Douglas said they had power to pas, the
measure Of collecting the revenue between both
sides Of the Chamber They passed law to stop
the mails in the seeded States without any din
Guilty, and IL they had chosen they could have
passed law to collect the revenue.
The amendment proposed by the Senator from
New Hampshire (Mr. Clark) shows where the
Pinkens, and the apturing the Others cannot be
justified unless we intend to bring back the Sc
coded States themselves. Whoever holds Charles
ton Is entitled to Fort Sumter, and whoever holds
Florida and Pensacola 10 entitled to Fort Pickens.
Whoever holds the land 10 entitled to the forts in
tended for local Defense those other forts those
at Key West and the Tortugas, and Fort Jefferson,
OF national character, should be kept by the
United States But Sumter, and Moultrie and
Castle Pinckney, and Pulaski, &c, are local and
for local defense.
Mr.. Doolittle would like to ask how II is with
the forts at the mouth Of the Mississippi!
Mr.. Douglas said they did not form an excep-
ton. If we were to allow Louisiana to hold both
sides Of the river, what use were those forts. I'M
less we occupy the State, and remove all conflict.
ing authority!
MIR. Clark inquired II he mig ht ask question
Mr.. Douglas said he would not be catechized on
his side, when the Republican side would answer
no questions. They could meet in caucus and
agree not to say word, and then come In and
ask questions.
Mr.. Fe,senden knew nothing about any such
caucus.
AZ, Oorol,. b,a ha,xa ~ ,,.. , ..- 49,
| believed there one
Mr.. Fessenden said there was not word O,
truth In 1t, from beginning to end.
Mr. Douglas had heard so from one OF thei,
| own number. He wanted to know If the Admin.
| istration meant peace or war The Republican
party. In the acts for the organization of the new
Territories, had repudiated their old doctrine OF
Intervention by Congress. He hoped they would
| continue In the same wise direction.
| MI Wilson said the Senator from Illinois wa:
| iuli OF anxieties. Ten days ago this ADM nistra
treason in the army, treason in the navy. and
| treason In the country. The President Of the
United States delivered kind, genial and patti
otto Inaugural addres: to the people. Hardly had
that address been flashed over the country before
| the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Douglas) stepped
forward, unasked, to interpret that address The
Senator Is not content that the President should
stano on his own interpretation; he Is not willing
| that the President and Cabinet, who had taken
possession OF Government in ruins should them.
selves interpret their own measures and purposes
oub Ne rusDes INTO The chamber and he ks IN in
terpret for them He struts here before the Senate
and talks Of what he shall do, and what he shall
not permit to be done
MIR. Douglas said he would forgive the peta
lance ana personalities of the Senator IL wa,
evidently the aim Of the Republican side to avoid
argument and resort to personalities
In the course of these remarks Mr. Douglas nv
: sup OF the tongue, spoke Of the Senator from
Maine, meaning the Senator from Massachusetts
(Mr. wilson, } and continued a few sentences fur
tner, declaring his determine to maintain
~ against all opponents, no matter swhence
tnev came" This gave rise to misunde rstand.
ing between Mr. Douglas and Mr. Fessenden.
"hicn produced personal alteration Of much as.
PeIity, compelling the Chair to call to order
MI; Fessenden said the President meant peace
ana The Senator from Illinois had no found alton
Tor ms attack The object Of the Senator in offer
Ing his resolution was not to obtain Information
put 70 make speech. The inaugural had been
purpose Of drawing them into a discussion. but
they had no intention to be tainted into discus.
sion which they did not desire
some further remarks Of a personal character
several minutes
Mr.; Douglas said that the Senator (Mr. Fessen.
DEM had controverted his veracity.
the kind "a
MIR; Douglas said he had never made personal
assault In the Senate.
MI. Hale recognized his personal share of the
censure conveyed by the Senator from Illinois
against the Republican side for keeping silence
he therefore wished to say a few words: hi,
speech would be brief. Ii could be found writer
down In the I'd Book Of Samuel, 18th cha pter, 4th
galleries - WIG
Mr.. Douglas said there was an effort on IN.
other side to make personal points on him Blu,
ne expected to give them some trouble before tbey
60, through. But such was the disorder In the
galleries he would now sit down.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, the Senate proceeded
70 the consideration Of executive bust ness: and
AFTER remaining therein until near six O'Clock the
doors were reopened and the Senate adjourned.