Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-14
ErOn,.New York.


I EACnAsNCFs AOEKs
NEw York, Feb. I3.-The steamer Desc ia, frcr
Havana has arrived.
River News.
LOUISVILLE, Feb. 13.-The river is falling with
feet inches water in the canal
Thirty.Sixth cOngress--Second Session.
Tuesdays Proceedings.
WASHINGTON Feb. l2ASENATE.-W presented
petiIion to stand by the Constitution.
Dixon PRESENTED petition in favor of Crittenden's
proposition.
Crittenden presented petition of % 200 citizens
of Massachusetts, in favor of his resolutions He
said he felt cheered by such voice from Massacbt-
| sets, showing devotion to the Union for which
their ancestors fought
Sumner said, if the signers knew what the propo-
sition was they would never have put their names
| to the petition. The proposition goes beyond the
Breckenridge platform, and gives joint guarantees
of slavery in the Constitution which the trainers of
that instrument never gave. He said Crittenden's
proposition drew black line at Sc 80 protecting
slavery below it and despong the colored citizens
Of Massachusetts, of their franchise. He should
have expected that the petitions of true lovers of
the Union would have asked two things. First that
the Constitution administered by our fathers be
preserved intact; and secondly, that the verdict of
| the people last November, by which Lincoln was
| elected, be enforced.
That is the ground on which every LOYAL citizen
can stand The time for compromise is past and the
difficulties must be settled now on permanent prin-
| ciples, and not by the abandonment Of principles
he had heard the voice of the people 60 forth, a
few days since, when the forts at the South were
surrendered and especially when it was feared that
Fort Sumter would be surrendered. He would an
peal to the people now. when the proposition was to
surrender the principle Of freedom in the Terrific
ries, which was the Sumter of the North. He would
surrender nothing, and would not have a substtu-
/ ton of compromises for principe.
Crittenden said be supposed the signers of the
| petition were intelligent men. He had prezented
propositions on basis of peace. why had not the
gentleman offered 70 .llend theng
Summer said they wero wrong every word and
| line.
Crittenden--Had the gentleman no proposition to
make?
Sumner-Yes-the Constitution as administered
by Washington.
Crittenden-WhY did lie not move that, them
Sumner said ne had voted fer the resolutions of the
Senator from New Hampshire, which expressed |
that idea.
The hour arrived for the special order,
The yeas and nays were taken Oh postponing and
oarried-2A to 81.
Grittenden eontinued-He urged the Senator's to |
stand by the union-not by platforms All compro-
misc seemed to be rejected He believed that some
thing must be done or the country would rus be
saved. He could not see how men ccy,d come here !
and talk of business when the Union was in danger
Sumner said the gentleman from Kentucky was |
net aware Of his popularity in Massachusetts,, and /
of the Willingness of the people TO go for PROPOSE /
tons bearing his (Crttenden's) name wh;ra tAey so
much respect, when, if they had examined the pro
positions, they would Relee; them The Senator in
timated thA{ propositions were not applicable Ia
territory hereafter acquired
Crittenden said he did not consider thai essential
Sumner-The Senator veted frankly Tor the pre- /
position to print IT.
Crittepden was understood to say, il that amend |
ment was not accepted he would recede.
Clark got the floor
Cameron moved to postpone the bill till Monday |
Adopted
The navy bill was taken up
Green made strong speech against the amend /
ment to build slOops of war, basing his remarks on
the ground that the country was bankrupt and that
the object wa2 TO coeree independent States. He |
advocated the right of secession and said that hold
ing Fort Sumter with guns frowning on Charleston,
which it was built to protect was an act of war on
South Carolina. He said that South Carolina has |
rs much Eght to he f0rts in New York harbor as |
the United States has to Fort Sumter and he pledg
ed his feeble arm to act in any contingency which
might arise. Missouri for the Union which /
gives protection to all. Missouri, though slow |
would act, but the action OF Kentucky, Tennessee,
and Virginia had been disastrous. If the Border |
States had acted, there would have been a Peacea-
BILE separation. If adjustment was made, all the h
slave States except Delaware. Maryland and Yir- \
gina would go out together. lie YES AFRAID of Yir-
ginia-she was so slow. Arkansas, Missouri and 1
Kansas wanted t9. go. ogt. [Laughter.l He said |
after the hothouse emigration to Kansas died out /
she would fall back into the arms Of Missouri He |
said the object of the Republicans was to extin-
guish slavery, He favored Crittenden's plan, but
said such amendments were good for nothing unless
there was reaction North.
The amendment was then concurred in. ~ against |
II.
Bigler, Douglas johnson of Tennessee, and Latk-
voted in the affirmative.
The bill was then passed, aftez. watch the Senate /
went into Executive 9as5lsA and subsequently ad-
journed.
AoCsE-ShePman sent up letter from the Secre-
tary of the Treasury showing deplorable condi-
ton of his Department and suggesting mode of |
relief In accordance with this.
Sherman asked leave to introduce from the Com
mttee on Ways and Means, bill to enable the Sec
rotary to accept from any State guarantee Of any
stock which may be issued by the united States to
the amount of public money deposited With such i
State under the aistyibutioH act
Sherman said if the relief was to be given the |
bill should be passed to-day.
Garnett remarked that, as unanimous consent was
required, his should not be given while he was a
member OF the House.
Sherman said he had performed his duty, though
reluctantly, in reporting thebill.
Barr remarked that Garnett would break I'D the
Government and leave it without money.
The bill was not permitted by Garnett to be N Il
troduced. 81
Morris made report EEom the Special Committee
on the Indian obstruction, saying that it was unan
nous, and wanted the report read, as it would ex-
plain why the Treasury was empty.
The Speaker said it was impossible as the Paci-
fc Railroae bill was first to be disposed of.
After some debate and confusion, it was read.
Pryor minated that the report not unani-
nous.
The report was ordered to be printed
Morris said he was willing 70 bFIng UP the report
at any time to gut the Convenience Of tho members
John CochsaEe Intellectually offered to introduce A
bill relative to the liabilities Of vessels collecting at
sea.
The Pacific Railroad bill was taken nm.
Curtis favored the Northern route witheus S,enre
ciating Others
Craig of Missouri, cgpo-ed ths Senate amend
ments.
FagpywOEsa and Mcclernand opposed the bill as
it stands.
Pryor opposed the the whole bill as ss,.i.ser,cal
He moved that the SeHate's amePdsaents be tabled,
Lost. - = -
Slckies deiended the project. saying thai all
parties 1or the last eight years have declared IN
their platforms the constutionaIisy and PRACTICABLE
ity of the road. he said the tsiines from TeuDes-
see, Virginia and kentucky would tend TO restore
the credit whieh the country had lost
Pryor replied that Virginia would serve the
bonds which bind her to the oppressive association
unless justice and equality were secured to her.
She has not pronounced for submission, but has
resolved to make one more eh0rt 60
preserve the Union
Sickles said she had declared for reason-not
passion. What she would do in the future be knew
not