Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-03-22
Senate Proceedings.
Speech of Mr.. Breckenridge,
WASHINGTON. March ~

WASHINGTON, Mafcn 10.
The credentials of David Wilmot were
presented, ard he was afterwards sworn in
and took his seat.
The joint resolution of the Legislature OF
Indiana, requesting Congress to call Con.
vention for amendments to the Constitution,
was laid on the table and ordered printed.
Douglas resolution was taken up, and Mr..
Breckenridge spoke. He said: In the pres
ent anxious, distracted condition of the
country .ha Senate should not adjourn with.
out expressing an opinion on tue existing
state of affairs and giving some advice,
tending to allay public apprehension. Opiu.
ions seem divided as to the measures OF the
| inaugural. He was free to confess, and
grateful to do go, that its general expires sioDs
are for harmony aud the prevention of
bloodshed !; but the policy which the Presi-
dent says tie deems his duty to pursue must
result in bloodshed, unless eveni ualy modi.
fled. The leading idea of the inaugural,
very clearly put forth, is, the President does
not encourage, in any sense, the existence of
another Confederacy, but that he regards all
procee dings and acts in the seeding States,
either lnsurrectionary or revolutionary, an
hat his purpose is, to the extent of his pow
er, to enforce the laws in all the States, in
Guiding those which are Withdrawn. The
inference was irresistible, to whatever ex-
tent, force or invasion is necessary to collect
duty on imports and to maintain possession
OF and occupy the forts, force be employed
By constituting it to be his constitutional duty.
IT'S true, the course here indicated will be
followed, unless current events and experi.
ence shall show modification or change to
be proper, aud in every case and exigency
my best discretion will be exercised accord
ing to circumstances actually existing, and
with a view to the peaceful solution of our
national troubles and the restoration of fra.
ternal sympathy and affection He (Breck-
irridge) took his qualification to mean, he
will not undertake to execute the laws or to
hold the forts and other places within the
withdrawing States, excepting where cir
cumstances show his ability to do SO; and
that he will not undertake to force those
factions, because it would be irritating, and
make the hopes Of peaceful solution more
doubtful.
Then the policy would be that which
would prevent irritation and bloodshed.
The President conceives tina. it becomes
his duty to hold possession and occupy
the forts and collect the revenue on imports, |
to be modified according to the necessities
of the case which may surround him, other
wise his policy would be simple and easy.-I
Looking at Fort Sumter what were the reas-
ons for the rumored evacuation ? No polit-
zeal but military reasons. Not because. in
the opinion of the administration, the fort
would irritato the public mind and render
and harmony doubtful, but be-
fba FOR opA
EXPECT to penetrate to that fort. Unless the
policy of the President was to use force as
far as was necessary, he would, if
his object was favorable to Cancellation, with
draw the troops for political and not mill
AIRY reasons This he thought to mean the
President will hold the forts and other
olaces within the Confederate States and
collect the duties on imports to the extent of
lis power, and if there is any modification,
t will be because Of his inability, and rot
because he would be willing to withdraw
he troops for the purpose of producing con-
iliation and peace.
In the public mind the character of the :
Jabinet was not such as to induce the be
ief that force would not be used. Every
nember except one is understood to favor !
coercion, it it becomes necessary, to reduce =.
he South to suhjugation. The re-organi- a
ation of the Senate and opinions cautious !
y expressed by Republicans here show their
urp' Sc is to maintain the authority of the
ederal govern aent over the withdrawn "
rates by force, if necessary. In the form
ton Of the standing committees there was
,arcely chairman, if any one of them. n
hose known opinion was not in favor of d
lis rolicy. The country should not be se.
led what was meant by peace and concilia. s
on. How was it to be maintained? He Il
esired to know as sincerely as he desired
le union of all the States. He had seen Il
D measure of practical policy which tends il
produce this result. We are in constant
niger of COLI ion and bloodahed. For the
Ike of the political and material interests
the country, the support of the credit
ID the general pro- perity, let US establish nj
me- leading principle. "
If peace policy was not to prevail, let us AZ
ready for the conflict He argued that, if ar
bod be shed, the lest hope of preserving
rat is left Of the Union will be gone. His m
inion was that the Federal Government a
1not be restored or preserved on the prin- Is