Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-12

Thursdays Proceedings

AHuTSuuy ) 1 IOcetuHtYS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. I0-SEyATE-Mr Seward pre-
sent d a memorial of the citizens of New York
City. praying for the adoption Of wise, Just, and
equitable measures for the preservation of the
Union. Laid on the table for the present
Sumner presents memorial Of the Synod Of the
PRESBYTERIAN Church now holding at Allegheny City
Pennsylvania asking Congress that provision be
made or the express Acknowledgements the being an
authority of God, Secondly: For the acknowed
ment of the authority Of God ard Christ. Third
For the recognition of the firm obligation to obey
Gods law. Fourth That the principles of Gods
law are clearly adverse to slavery.
Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Rice presented a resolution praying for the post
pouement OF the Pacific Railroad bill, on the ground
that it is injudicousy to increase the public debt.
Tabled for the present.
Kennedy present memorial from II 900 citizens
of Baltimore praying for means to restore peace
and harmony Tabled.
Hale presented credentials of his colleague, Dan
lei Clark as Senator fer six years from the 4th of
March next. Received and read.
Bgler presented a memorial of citizens of Phia-
dephia asking for the pensions of the survivors of
children and widows of the soldiers of the war of
1872 Also 4 memorial of citizens of New Orleans
praying forhe adoption of measures for the States
calling a Convention to amend the Constitution.
Tabled. Also a memorial from citizens Of Pha-
delphia praying for the adoption of the resolutions
of the Senator from Kentucky proposing amend
Slide called up his resolution Of yesterday, rela-
tive to the appointment by the President of Sec
retary of War. He said that there has been gross
violation by the President of the United States lie
has not acted right in appointing officer to hold
Office only twelve or fourteen days without the fact
being made known to and submitted to the lppro
baton of the Senate. The power only intended
to be exercised when the Senate not in session.
Green would vote for the resolution without cen
surfing anybody.
Sausberry called for the yeas and nays, which
were taken.
Davis addressed the Senate on the state of the
Union. lie said what is the use of garrisoning the
States when there is of defense. The Presi
dents Message had the characteristic diplomacy,
The Constitution gave no power to cOerce 4 State
1t gave the army purely for defence When Major
Anderson dismantled the guns and burnt the carri-
ages at Fort Moultre he put in the attitude of
enemy. The forts were not built to war on South
Carolina but fer the protection Of Charleston har-
Dor, and to make that protection complete. The in
surrcction in Pennsylvania under Washingtons adj
minstration is not to be compared to the present
The Government then assisted the State i'll quelling
it. Fort Washington near where the ashes of Wash
ington rest is garrisoned by force sent from the
Washington Navy Yard, for fear of a surprise.
At the conclusion of Davis speech, Trumbull rose
and said that the Senator from Mississippi had as
signed the very reasons for maintaining the Con
sttution and preserving the Union When the
Senator from Mississippi was secretly informed as
it seems he was long ago, that the public property
at Charleston would not be protected, he should
have advised at that time as military man, the
President of the United States to put the public pro-
perty at Charleston in position to be defended
Secession would never have progressed so far; but
it seems that assurances given that the United
States would not protect itself ltseems that 1t has
been said Go on, you seeding States, and gather
strength. the United States will do nothing to pro-
tect itself from your assaults"
Dayis-I never heard of that.
Trumbuli-I understood the Senator to say that a
pledge had been given that the Notifications at
Charleston should remain as they were.
Davis-Where did you get your inforu alton!
Trumbull-I don't know.
Dayis-In the newspapers.
Trumbull-I take il back if it is not pOnsible,
but am just informed by Senator's around me that
the Senator from Mississippi did so in fact. am i'll
formed that Mai. Anderson will shell Charleston and
burn it to the ground if another gun is fired at the
Star Of the West She permitted to pass,
through the noble conduct of Major Anderson who
saved the shedding of blood thereby.
Green-Does Senator Trumbull know on what
ground and what cause Jest apprehension Major
Anderson had in leaving Fort Moultrie and going to
Fort Sumter?
Trumbell-I supposed that the whole country
knew.
Grcen-I do not want suggestions, l want
facts.
Trumdell-AIr. Green knows very we'll that South
Carolina pretended to assume sovereignty. It has
been publicly talked about that she would be com
PEELED, if her sovereignty is denied, to assert her
jurisdiction,
Greeu-Does her secession imply her right Of iu-
risdiction over the whole territory?
Trumbull-Her secession movements, in my judg
ment is nothing Laughter.l It s nothing but IL
surrection. But not only South Carolina where
they have preense that secession is justfable which
really amounts to nothing. but Georgia and Alaba
ma were told that the public property could bl
seized without secession yet the Senator from Mis-
sissppi saws that the best to avoid civil war is
to with lraw the forces. and, that the flag undaI
which he has so often rsarchad should be down and
Il Palmetto flag run up in It's place. The question is
Can constitutional liberty be maintained? has this
Government any power TO protect itself? In other
words, have we q Government at all? The people
of Illinois believe that we have a Government, and
that the Government has power to protect itself, not
by making a ciyi, war no no! We propose to ex.
ecute the laws of the Federal Government they
who commence the war on the Federal Government
inaugurate the war. When did we ever talk of co
ercing State:
The Senator from Mississippi refers to the Con-
venton which framed the Constitution Of the United
States when it was agreed that the Federal Gov
eminent could not coerce a state. l agree with him
there Under the old Confederation, the Govern
ment acted on the States
Green replied that State had right in the Ter
rtory, because the Territory belonged to all the
States. A State had no right to go to Territory
but citizen had. | want to know whether all the
citizens have equal rights to enjoy their property
under the protection Of law.
Mr. Trumbul-I deny that any State has right
in the Territories any more than country.