Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-18


teers would be necessary to enable the United States TO
reduce the States aoresad ard such others are sup
posed sympa,hxe with them, 70 subsection and ODE
deoce the laws Of the Union and to protect the fed
eral capital"
Mr. Douglas said he could not sccede to the amend
II important TO the peace Of the country that
the resolution should be answered, 10 both sections
the inaugural is construed indicative of war policy.
IL the apprehension is allowed to rpen uto conviction
that the administration mediate war policy to reduce
the seeded States by military force he feared would
have the Issue precpated upon in shorter time than
we imagine. He did not believe the policy Of the admin
istraiion This construction is disputed the
Democ side while the Republicans remain mute 81
lent-nether asserting dissenting from his nterpre
| taton.
In this state of the case for the purpose Of quieng the
apprehension Of the showing that the admins
traton does not mediate war; and secondly that there
no Of prosecuting even Mr.. Lincoln desired 10
do so he Mr Dougias had brought In his resolution for
the purpose of obtaining Information important be
known but an attempt made prevent It's conside
racn IL suggested that discussion, not improper,
would be injurious But what bad effects could result
il was necessary TO have the Information desired?
l. the policy of the administration be peace, il will
lieve existing apprehensions restore confidence and
cause rjocogs throughout the length and breadth of
the land IT, the contrary, the policy be war it is due
to tie people Of the country that the fact shCnd be
known He repeated that Mr.. Lincoln does not mediate
war Certain be was that under existing laws the Presi
dent cannot consistently with bis oath do anything
produce collision between seeding States and the fed
eral government In the first place. he has power
der the existing laws TO collect the revenue on shpboard
a. suggested by partisan newspapers
The law stands Just il did when Jackson called on
Congress for additional legislation to collect the
at The port OF Charleston He had power order the
collection any where else than in those places designated
~ law. Congress passed the act well known to the
country as the force bill IL passed in March, 1888
and expired at the end of the session by express
limitation. What and ia true as to Charleston is
all the other ports Of the seeded States There
was therefore, danger OF collision, unless, as Sena
suppose the President is going to violate the laws
aud DO that which is forbidden. With regard to block
aiding, there authority to blockade New Or
ans Charleston, any other of the ports in the sece
ded states than New York Chicago They had been
tod that the President going to enforce the laws in
| the seeding States. How BY calling out the militia
and the army and navy But the President could not
employ them without authority Of law. These and the
preceding points Mr. Douglas proceeded to argue, say
7gThen what cause was there for apprehension that
the President is going pursue policy unless he
| sha! call Congress together for that purpose!
He took it tor granted that the means for making war;
to collect the revenue reake and possess the forts
enforce the laws within the seeding States will not
b. conferred by Congress He TO this conclusion
from the fact that while the Presidents political friends
had the power to cothe him with those for the
last six weeks they declined doing
Mr.. Fessenden inquired Was there single day du
riUg the last Congress when the Republicans had ma
jofty?
Mr. Douglas answered that he chose to answer the
question in his own way, and repeated that the Republic
had the power TO pass such measures through both
Houses He believed they had the majority in conse
quence Of the absence Of Messrs Pugh and Salisbury
and the two Senators from Texas would not have voted
against them-one of them so stated The House had
to pass the force BILL but postponed il from time
time till the President elect reached here and then
put to sleep at once and allowed to breathe
the breath OF life.
The Senate found no difficulty in passing law author
ling the Postmaster General suspend the mails when
Oh tructed in the seeding States. If it be the poll
cy of the administration to the war power to collect
the revenue blockade ports and recapture FORTS aud ex
ecu,e the laws in the seeding States why not say soy
lie mr. Douglass had taken his position Union
and friend of peace and if he had given wrong in
depreciation to the inaugural why not let US have the
Presidents answer.
Why we're the republic thus sensitive il he did not
give correct Interpretation OF the inaugural No Sem
had ventured to deny his Interpretation. No one
had ventured say the Presidents policy not peace
He ventGred TO say that 10 was authorized to con-
radict him these points. Why did the republicans
remain silent? Business is partially suspended, COM
merce ia destroyed aud bankruptcy staring US in the
flce One word from the White House would many
from ruin.
Ole word from the White House would gladden. every
part of the land Let that word be spoken and let the
word be peace and there will be such shout of JOY
sounding through this country has not been heard
reasons why this important word should be spoken, and
in this connection he mentioned the fact that the cleo
tons are coming on and in choosing members Of Con-
gtes the people have right to know whether the policy
peace The States in whose limits the forts
located entitled hold them unless there is some
thing peculiar which requires them to be possessed for
national purposes 1t so happens to the latter with
the forts Tortugas They essential without refer
euce 20 the seeded States.
It was idle to endeavcr to ahirk at the question 1t
ia 10 longer as to the collection OF the taking
care of public property The question is whether
going reduce the Southern Uon!ederacy to subsection
or. not He presumed Senators convinced by This
tine that that means wsr We derry that there
is Southern Coafedeacy de ae.o in existence with it,
capitol at Montgomery. We might regret it. He did
most profoundly, but he could deny the fact, pain
fallv Notifying as i, is.
BIT If Republicans after meeting in caucus could not
silence Others they kep. silent themselves they were
divided into compromisers and roa-compromis
union and Union Republcans-war and peace Repa5!i-
cars.
Kr. Fessenden inquired whether the Senator meant
nat the Republicans had in resolved TO keep siea
Mr Douglas replied that he did not mean TO intimate.
lie lid frankly he heard IL rumored and supposed it 10
be true.
Hr Fesseuden said il was untrue from beginning to end
Mr. D0ugas.-But II comes from your side OF the
house. At any rate, you are silent over there-slent
when the country may be wrecked on Misrepresentation
as To the policy of the administration.
He desired to know whether the administration meant
pe,ce or war If war was designed il will require a
large army Rumor SAYS that estimates have already
been made that t,so hundred and ffy thousand men
would be rcquired-whch will require expenditure
OF three hundred aud sixteen millions OF dollars annual
w. Remember the TO be called for in the eighteen
FREE States to fight those in the fifteen Slave States
are we prepared for this line Of policy?
Silence is criminal when on the eve OF events
like these. His opinion was, must choose promptly
one OF three lines of policy First, the restoration and
preservation Of the Union by such amendments to the
constitution will insure domestic tranquility safety
aud the equality Of all the States and thus restore peace
unity aud fraternity to the whole country.
Secoudy-A peaceful dissolu on OF the Union by re-
coga,og the independence of these States as they refu
10 remain in the Union without such constitutional amend
mcnts as will their rights, and the Establishment
Of abera system of commerce and social intercourse
with them by treaties Of commerce and ami.y
Thirj.y--War with Il view 10 the sut1ugatlon and
military occupation OF those States which have seeded
and may secede from the Union. The the choice
made the better for you and for every friend oil ber
ty and constitutional government throughout the world
The first proposition is the best and the last is the worst
Douglas proceeded 10 argue in favor OF the first pro-
position saying that If proper amendments be made to
the constitution the border States will remain with u.s.
and the Gulf States will return. He congratulated the
republicans that in organizing governments for Nevada
Colorado and Dacotah they omitted the Wmot proviso
In thus abandoning their aggressive policy in the Terri
tories they had come over TO him. he said, receive
| you with kindness. Laughter
| welcome you'll forgive you all acts Of unkindness
and insults aud ISLANDERS hesped my devoted head
forgive you all for this act of devotion to your
country 1t is our duty to adopt such amendments to
the constitution will insure domestic Tranquility and
1--WE equality TO sill tie Statea Of the Union. Do this
and the Union will be restored and preserved to all gen.