Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1861-01-17
xxxvIth Congress Second Session,
WAsHISGrox, January 8.
HOUSE. 81 ,.z.
PRrsIpEsr's MESSAGE.

The Speaker laid before the House a
message from the President. He says at
the opening of the session he called atlsn-
ton 10 the dangers Of the Union, and rec
commended such measures of relief as he
believed would have the effect Of tranquil
izing the country, and save it from the
perils in which il is nesdlessly and unfor.
tunately placed. 1t is not necessary to re-
peat this opinion and recommended on.-
His opinions there expressed remain un-
changed. He regrets TO say that matters
instead Of becoming better are. still worse,
and hope is diminished. Abiding to the
condition Of South Carolins, he says there
is no other alternative but to collect the
revenue and protect the public property, as
far as practicable under existing laws.-
His duty is to execute, and not to make the
laws. The right and duty to use military
and naval force against those who illegally
assail the Federal Government, are clear
and indisputable, but the present state Of
things was beyond Executive control. We
are in the midst Of great revolution, anG
he recommended 10 Congress to act in the
present emergency. To Congress is re-
served the power to declare war, and re-
move the grievances that might lead to war,
and restore peace to The country. On
them rests the responsibility. After eu-
logizing the blessings conferred by the Un-
ion, he says, should it perish, the calamity
will be as severe in Southern as in North
ern States. The secession movement is
chiefly made on an apprehension as to the
sentiments Of majority of several Of the
Northern States. Let the question be
transferred from the Political assembly 10
the ballot box. The people will redress
the grievance. In Heavens name let the
trial be made before we plunge into the as
sumption that there is no other alternative.
Let US have reflection. Would that South
Carolina reflected. He appeals to Con-
gress to say, in their might. "The Union
shall and must be preserved" BY all oonsti.
tulional means. He recommends Congress,
to devote themselves TO prompt action, with
a view to peace. A division on the line
Of 36:30 is suggested as calculated 10 pro.
ducc an adjustment. 1t was an impu,atior
on members 70 say THEY will hesitate q
moment. The danger Is on rs. In sever.
al of the States forts and arsenals have
been seized by aggressive acts. Congress
should endeavor TO give the difficulties o
peaceful solution. He states reasons why
he had refrained from sending troops to
Charleston harbor, believing this would
have furnished the pretext, if not the prov.
ocatiOn, on the part Of South Carolina, for
aggression. Referring to Major Anderson,
he says that officer could not, before be
left Fort Moultrie, have held that post
forty.eight or sixty hours. He had warned
his countrymen Of its danger. He felt that
the duty was faithfully but imperfeclly per-
formed. He was conscious he meant well
for his country.
Mr.. Howard, of Michigan, moved that
the message be referred to special COM
mittee Of Eve, with instructions to inquire
whether any executive officers Of the Ilni-
ted States have been, or are now treating
or holding communication with any person
or persons, for the transfer of forts, or any
other properly; whether any demand for
their surrender has been made, and by
whom, and what answer has been given;
whether any officer or officers have entered
into any pledge not 10 send reinforcements
Of troops to the harbor of Charleston--if so,
when, where, by whom, and on what con.
siderations; whether the Custom House,
Postoffice, and Arsenal at Charleston have
been seized, by whom held in possession;
whether any Revenue Cutter has been
seized, and whether any efforts have been
made to secure ii. The Committee have
power to send for person and papers, and
report frsm time TO time such facts as may
be required for the National honor. etc.
After some debate, Mr.. Howard's reso.
luton passed, 103 to 81.
Mr.. Maynard asked consent to Offer o
resolution that the minority report might
be made from the Committee Of Thirty.
three.
Mr.. Hindnan called on the Chairman to
state the numbers attending the meeting,
whether there was any probability of max
ing a report, and state such particulars as
would be calculated to shed some light on
the subject.
Mr.. Burnett said he understood from the
member of Arksnsss that there was no
probability Of agreeing. A number Of mem
bers representing slave States had with.
drawn from it. Was it, therefore, polite