The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-28
THE DEBATE on THE FORCE BILL.

AbSy.-M isceiI aneous Items.
THE DEBATE on THE FORCE BILL.
The Staunton Volunteer (Force) Bill has
been virtually killed, by postponement in the
United States House of Represen tatives.--
When ii was called mp Tuesday
Mr.. Howard, of Michigan, resumed his re-
marks in favor of it, arguing that it merely
gave a construction to laws already In exist
ence. 1t was the duty of Congress TO put in TO
the hands of the President the means for the
performance of his duty. and point out the
mode in which he should do it. They could
not be released from this obligation He
peated that the President should have the
power TO execute the Constitution in all its
parts. The highest duty of the Government
which dates anterior to all Cons titutons is
20 preserve its existence.
Mr.. Pryor said il was the purpose of the
domino nt party, plainly manifest and openly
ayowed, TO drive through the bill by the pres
sure of an irresistible rule As This was n
foregonc conclusion, he hoped it would pass
At once, to the end that the people of Tir-
ginla and of the South may be aroused to the
perils which menace their destruction. He
uelantIy challenged them 10 assume the at
ttude of hostility corresponding to their
bloody designs. He knew thai the Republican
party are resolved never 10 recognize the in
OF the Stats nor sur
short, they are resolved to permit the South
no other alternative but submission sub
Jugation. In the event of the South declining
10 caltitulaLe, coercion by arms is their pur-
pose and policy. Who SO bold as to deny this
assertion 7 lie desired TO proclaim TO the
the country the policy of the dominant party
and incoming adminstra tion to carry slaugh-
ter and sword into the bosom of the people of
the South, ia ther than tolerat the existence
of n Southern Confederacy. The object is to
chastise and subdue the seeded States. BY
this bill the President may carry on against
them vigorous hostility. In fact, it was a
measure OF fraternal and civil war clearly
against the letter and spirit OF the COnstitu-
ton.
Mr.. Curtis of Iowa, addressed the House in
favor of the bill. 1t was but of forces
which We're already:armed and equipped, id
stead OF drafting new companies OF militia.
Mr.. Simms, of kentucy, said the bin was
one OF murder, for while the laws of our coun
try gave to a criminal or rebel the right of
trial by jury, this bill gives authority to the
President TO order his myrmidonS to shoot
down whosoever he may consider rebel,
wherever he may find him, and without judge
or Jury
Mr.. Curtis denied the assertion. He denied
that this bill was one of coercion.
Mr. Burnett asked whether the purpose of
Republicans under this bin was 10 reinforce
the torts in seeding States, now held by the
Federal Government, and to recapture the
| forts already taken, unless they shall be sur
rendered
MIR. Curtis replied that his purpose was to
support the Constitution as it is, until some
power vested in him to 90 otherwise.
Mr. Burnett desired to know if it was the
I
recapture the property taken by seeding
States
Mr.. Curtis was not going to give his opn-
ion in open session of what should be spoken
OF only in secret session. If twas for hostile
purposes
Mr. Simms, in his seat Murder"
Mr. Curtis replied that murder came
from the other side of the House. The acts of
assassins not for Republicans. The
murderous axe against the Govern ment was
welded by persons skulking i'll Executive
chambers and in the Senate of the United
States-striking at their own mother, the
mother country. He denied that the States
were out of the Union--they were still chill
dren of the same common country.
Mr.. Burnett was compelled TO agree with
the gentlemen from Virginia in regarding the
passage of this bill as foregone conclusion,
and he had NO doubt that 1t was the purpose
OF the dominant party on the floor OF the
House to pass this BILL a law Of such moment
to the country, under the call of the previous
question: and even before it had been printed.
He now declared the bill 10 be a declaration of
war against the seeding States. The bill
never had a similar precedent. 1t gives the
President unlimited power 10 call out three
million men, and muster them III to the service
of the United States. Congress would shortly
adjourn, and IL the President saw tit to abuse
his power, there no power TO prevent
him or 10 restrain him.
After the close of the remarks of Mr.. Bur
nett,
Mr.. Corwin moved 10 pos stpone the further
consideration of the bill until Thursday next,
at l o'clock. This was agreed to-yeas 100,
nays IA
INTERESTING SCENE AT THE SEVENTH REGIMENT
ARMoRY.
The Seventh Regiment, of New York,
turned out 900 guns at the parade of the Di-
vision on the 22d. After the return of the
corps to its armory thrilling and impressive
scene occurred, which is thus reported in the
World
''The Regiment assembled to the spacious
drill room IN the upper story of the building,
and al the command of The Colonel the
eral companies formed in order, with ranks
extending he Ell lire width OF the room. Col.
LeiIerts having commanded silence, assembled
with his staff 10 the gallery extending across
the Eighth street end of the building, and
made Il brief and spirited address TO his COM
mand. He proposed that the birthday of
Washington should hereafter be regularly eel
ebrate0 by the Regiment as It's anniversary,
and spoke with patriotic enthusiasm of the
character of that iIiustrious sage and patriot.
On putting the question to the men, whether
they approved of his proposition, a thunder
ing aye reyerberated through the hall
The order being given for the men TO uncover,
every hat came off, and the soldiers, still i'll
their ranks, stood in reverential silence while
the Chaplain uttered /; solemn prayer for the
land OF Washington, that it might be spared
from the evils which threatened it, and that
the Almighty would put forth His arm once
again, as of old, 10 rescue II from destruction.
Star Spangled Banner, the beautiful standard
of the Regiment was carried up to the gallery
and waved in unison with the strains, and a
scene of the widest enthusiasm ensued. The
young men of the Regiment, the elite of our
citizen soldiery, broke forth with the most
tumultuous cheers q forest of bayonets was
lifted in the air-and a hundred cleaning
swords Ieaped from their scabbards and We're
waved alofI rs itinyoking the blessing of Hea-
Ven upon the flag of our country. 1t was
several minutes before order was restored,
hut the serried ranks at last resumed their
statue-like repose, and the companies were
dismissed to their respective armories. 1t is
doubtful whether such a display of martial
en thEsiasm was ever Witnessed III this conn
try, and the whole scene was calculated 10 re-
mind one OF the wild bursts of enthusiastic
devotion with which the Old Guard of
Napoleon were wont to hail the appearance
of their beloved Emperor"
RESOLUTIONS or RESPECT.
The Washington City Councils have resoly-
ed to visit President Buchanan in a body to
take leave OF him on The eve of his departure
from the seat OF Government The President
returns his thanks for the uniform Kindness
he has received from the citizens Of the Dis
trict for thirty consecutive years, and has
fixed on tomorrow, at O'Clock, to receive
them.
The Councils have also passed the following
resolutions of respect to the lion. j ohm j,
Critten6en
Hhereas The time is at hand when the Hon Jno.
J. Crittsnder il about to Withdrew from the Ma
tional Councils after II career Of illustrious pub
lie services, running through period Of more
than forty years; and, whereas, during All thd.
attachment TO the u Union OF the States, no less by
his enlarged and comprehensive statesmanship