Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-03-08

The dolngs OF the "Peace Convention
got more kicks than compliments in both
Houses of Congress. They seem to have
Jared harder than the doings of the Thirty
Three" They came up In the Senate on
the LIST. Mr.. Hunter moved to strike out
the first article of the proposition and insert
the first article of the Critttnden sesolu-
tons:
ale said that he considered this worse propo-
| ton for the South than any yet Oferei. He ar
| guCd that the words "status of persoCs held to
| labor not to be changed" would prevent any
change ia the position Of slaves, even preventing
enanci patton AID was substituting laU latin for
| the lain and manly English Of the Critterden
| resolutions. lie contended also that it provided
for the settlement, by judges appointed By party
| which enteFtains opinion that there could not
| be prOpe ty in Tue South would thus lose
the advantage Of the bred Scott decision. Under
these propositions the South could never acquire
more territory, AID their adoption would only be
an inducement to disunion; it would almost force
the border States 70 20 into the southern conief-
e-acy where they could acquire territory. He
said the provision that Congress shall provide iOr
the security Of citizens of each state TO the priv
le.es and immunities Of all, contained the seeds
Of civil war and might impose can 5erous class
Of citizens on the South, such as abolition lecturers
&c. and thought it best TO leave the question to
the honor Of the States. The present Constitution
had been expounded, and we'll understood but
these propositions are full Of doubts and difficult
ties"
5Ir Mason said 80 the first section cut The South
cut Of all her rights in the northern portion Of the
Territory, and left them to lawsuit in the other
portion. 1t left their tight to the common law,
and lie conten1ed that the judicial expOunders o.
TIE common law in the free states denied any
right Of property in man.
Mr.. GREEN said, "These propositions Of the
peace convention are the merest tWaddle bu. the
Cti.teuden resolutions have some sense. These
seeming peace propositions we're only intended
lull old Virginia and other states, but if they
wise they will strike the blow in time, and 60
TO the confederacy where they can have their
rights. Is i, possible that any Senator Will IN
dertase to support these Wishy-washy, twaddle
resoiutionsl He never would vote for them and
he would stake his reputation, whatever the conse
quences, on his vote.
Mr.. Trunbull said it was evident that there
was no good in staying here debating the PROPOSE
ton, which IS intended for the border States, when
the border States say they will have none Of it.
Mr.. Lane prOcee ed to speak in favor Of the
Crittenden resolutions, characteriEing the resolu
tions Of the convention as cheat and a humbug.
In the House there was a great deal of
scutHing on the subject of getting the pro-
ceedings of she Peace Conference before the
House. The Speaker asked leave to introduce
them
Objections were made by Mr.. Washburn,
OF Illinois, and others
Mr.. Stevens, (rep., Pa.,) did not want 10
hear John Tyler's Communication read.
Mr.. McClernand, dem, H. moved to
suspend the rsles.
There was great confusion. Some said
they wished to consider more important bu-
siuess.
Mi Boteler, (dem. Val IN a loud tone
asked what could be more important than
the peace Of the country?
\ recess was taken till evening without
any decision. In the evening the subject
came up again:
Mr.. McCleTnand proposed that the report
OF the peace conference be taken NJ and
referred to a committee.
Mr.. L7vejoy objected N toto.
Mr. B5teler-Can the objection ola single
MEMBER prevent the reception of the proceed
iuEs Of the peace conference?
Mr.. L5y.I1y-Such a conference Is Mt
known to this body.
Mr.. Adri-n-I move to suspend the rules
60 let in the peace proposition.
some one proposed THAT this be considered
a test question. To this several objections
were made
During the voting, Mr.. Crai.e. N. c.
said be was utterly opposed to this wishv-
washy effort to settle national difficulties.
Mr.. Vance would vote aye. whether i, was
q test question or not.
Mr.. B1c5ck was disposed to let the thing
in, through respect to the conference, but
was against the proposition.
Mr.. Sherman voted no, because there was
no time to consider it.
Mr.. Garnet, in order to express his scorn |
ana adherence Of the proposition, would vote |
to let it in.
Mr.. Bo;eler voted aye, because IT was his |
highest duty to do everything to restore
peace.
The vote was announced % to &c, and was
decided n the negative-not two-.hirds