Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-12


WASHINGTON, Jan. llth.Se cate Several memorials
from Penny ana praying the preservation of the Union
were presented and .ferred
Mr. Hunters resolution was taken up aud read ss fol-
lows:
Hbereas, certain forts marszires arsenals dock
wards and other ucedul buildings have been placed un
der the Executive jurisdiction OF the United States hy
eesson to that elect from certain States and it may be
desired oY one or more OF those States to the
jurisdiction thus ceded, now therefore
Rssoired, That the President of the United States
ought to be authorized by law upon the application OF
the Legislature or regular Convention Of the pcopl, Of
any sCch state or states 10 retrOcede this jurisdiction
such States upon taking proper security for the safe keep
ng and return OF an the property of the United States
or upon rccegicc the value OF the If destroyed or
rJued by the act Of any Of the States making such APP
plcaGoa.
Mr. Hunter said there was no hope of preserving the
Union The only hope nov i, TO be ready form a new
Union stronger than the present one There were many
difficulties ~ the way Of this but the love Of empire in
the American mind might accomplish that result He re-
vesed the history OF the agrion of the slavery question
which he cOuteudcd had induced the Southern States 10
believe tat their social system safe IN the Union
without additional constitutional guarantees for its pro-
lection Tie loss OF their social system the loss of
their moral status tine reduction OF their government
anarchy He stated what the demands of the South
and declared that these should be added the power OF
veto bv the South upon an matters affecting slavery
BE favored dual Executive founded on a plan some
what different from that Of Mr.. Calhoun providing for
the nomination, by Electors chosen bv the States Of
ctnCds-cs from U1om the people should elect the Pres
dent He suggested other vital reforms n the Executive
branch of the Government
Tie also favored the reconstruction Of the Supreme
Court upon the basis of equal numbers for each section
Tie did no. believe chat coerciug Sec ding State
proper even possible, possible even proper tie
argued This position at some length and sustained and H.
s.ated DO by numerous examples drawn Om The nature
of federal government he depicted clog Icnty the dis
asters which would follow u the train OF civil war and
urged t DO possible 10 should De avoided IN order 20
secure the reconstruction OF th. government He thought
tIe Ieroce,son of che forts aud aseuas seeding
Stat would do much 90 promote this object II the gov
erum ut did not intend Co coece Dc did uoj need them
and did uteIl TO- r0srcc DO should not have hgm.
I'll declare. tLyt the mon gone bat be favored the
assembling of National Convention OF each section 20
reconstruct u lie declared ,ha- Virginia would not SUBJ
m, the coercion of any seeding State. 10 cOucu-
he made eloquent appeal for peace, lui closed with
a lively p.ct,rs OF the Union AS cou-truct1d.
Mr Baker asked Nj Hunter tia Convention should as
saut.. t0 amend the Constitution, would be bis ic
Ileaee 90 Virginia TO maintain che present Constitution
aud laws until tle amendments were decided on
Mr.. Huater said bee had voted for Mr.. Cri,teud,ns
resolutions and could DO mo- more
NJ Baker sand De ouis desired to know If the Senator
would use Pol, influence.
NJ Hunter sail &C. d, had not sii>Ged the Senator
from California be- ds~piirei OF Dis power TO DO so.
Mr. Harlan addressed the Senate, attacking certain
provisions of the Fugitive Slave law and defended he
the posi- ION Of che Republicans he said that the Re
lu.'ca would noe YIELD inch before Lucolus iuar-
-arltou. De ddrof believe the war Of coercion would
l.-t long, tbou-hi-ul-h bee Terrible would il cost
.b the mechanics oft the Moth had already lost
ts southern sectional a-' ION.
Mr. Lov.oy asked leave 90 offer the following resell
ts.'rs} Thl- FOO Che ia'-wcu, OF This House, in The
n-.e.r-s.Je o.. tu. country. Uua'i Js wise aud pltr-
.,. .r- t1e President OF . ,j States ocouer tcu-
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