The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-03-05
IMPORTANT DEBATE IN CONGRESS.

ton 70 the laws already In existence. 1t was the
duty of Congress to put into the hands of the
President the means for the performance of his
duty, and point out the mode in which be should
do it. They could not he released from this obi
cation. he repeated 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 constitutions is to pre-
serve its existence.
Mr. Pryor said it the purpose of the domi-
nant party, plainly manifested and openly avowed,
to drive through the bill by the pressure of ire
sistible rule. As this was foregone conclusion,
he hoped it would pass at once, to the end that the
people Of Virginia and of the South may be arous-
ed to the perils that menace their destruction.
He defantly challenged them to assume the atti-
tude Of hostility corresponding to their bloody de-
signs. He knew that the Republican party are
resolved never to recognize the independence of
the seeded States nor surrender control over the
captured forts In short, they are resolved to per-
NIT the South no other alternative but submission
or subjugation.
In the event of the South declining to capitu-
late, coercion by arms is their purpose and policy
Who so bold as to deny this assertion? He desir-
ed to proclaim to the country the policy Of the
dominant party and incoming administration to
carry slaughter and sword into the BOSOM of the
people of the South, rather than tolerate the exis
tence of Southern Confederacy. The object is
to chastise and subdue the seceeded States. BY
this bill the President may carry against them
vigorous hostility. In fact it was a measure of
fraternal and civil war, clearly against the letter
and spirit of the constitution.
Mr. Curtis of Iowa, addressed the House in favor
of the bill. 1t was but of forces which
already armed and equipped, instead of drafting
new companies of militia.
Mr. Simms, Of KY, said the bill was one of MUIR
der, for while the laws Of our country gave to
criminal or rebel the right Off trial by jury, this
bill gives authority to the President to order his
rmyrmidons to shoot down whoever he may consid-
er a rebel, wherever he may find him, and without
judge or jury.
this bill was one of coercion.
Mr. Burnett asked whether the purpose of the
republicans under this bill was to reinforce the
forts in the seeeeding STATES, now held by the
federal government, and TO recapture the forts al
ready taken, unless they shall be surrendered?
Mr. Curtis replied that his purpose was to sup
port the Constitution is, until power was
vested in him to do otherwise
Mr. Burnett desired to know if it was the pur-
pose Of the party to reinforce the forts and recap
ture the property taken by seeding States?
Mr. Curtis was not going to give his opinion in
open session what should be spoken of only in
cret session, if it was for hostile purposes.
Mr. Simms in his seat-"M urder."
Mr. Curtis replied that "nurder" came from the
other side of the House. The acts Of assassins
were not from Republicans. The murderous axe
against the government was welded by persons
skulking in executive chambers, and in the SEN
ate of the United States-striking at their own
mother, their mother country. He denied that
the States were out of the Union-they were still
children Of the same common country
Mr. Burnett was compelled to agree with the
gentleman from Virginia in regarding the passage
of this bill as foregone conclusion; and he had
no doubt that it was the purpose Of the dominant
party the floor of the House to pass this biz, 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 to be a
declaration of war against the seeding States.
The bill never had a similar precedent, 1t gives
the President unlimited power to call out three
million of men, and muster them into the service
of the United States Congress would shortly ad-
journ, and if the President saw fit to abuse his
power, there was no power to prevent him or to
strain him.
After the close of the remarks of Mr. Burnett
MIR Corwin moved to postpone the further con-
sideration of the bill until Thursday next at one
O'Clock. This was agreed to-yeas 100, nays "A.
Mr. Grow asked that the remainder of this day
be given to territorial business, and asked that
the special order which now took precedence, viz:
the report ofthe committee of thirty three be post
poned till tomorrow at one o'clock.
hI DluSHdm moNeu W poslpoHe iii Saturday
next
Mr. Hickman moved to postpone till Monday
next at IL o'clock.
Mr. Sickles called Mr. Hickman to order
Mr. Hickman would not be called to order by
words, from such mouth. Great confusion pre-
vailed and cries of "order" from all parts of the
House.
Mr. Cochrane moved the galleries be cleared,
not that they behaving badly, but he was
ashamed that they should be witness to such pro-
eeedngs.
Mr. Mexican desired to know if there was SER
geant-at-arms.
Order having been restored, the vote was taken
on the motion to postpone till Monday at l l O'clock
lost-yeas Sc, nays 1872. The motion to postpone
till Saturday was lost-yeas Sc, nays LAG; as was
that of Mr. Grow to postpone the special order
until to-morrow-yeas 49, nays liz.
Mr. Corwin then endeavored to get bis substitute
for the report of the committee of 33 before the
House, which allows amendment concerning
slavery to be made to the Constitution, except by
q vote of all the States
Great confusion ensued and interpositon of
points Of order, pending which the House adjourn
ed.
FORTS SUMTER AND PIcKENs.-A dispatch
was received by President Buchanan on Saturday.
announcing the arrival of President Jefferson Davis
at Charleston. This considerably startled the
prosident who i,nmediatelv cd a