The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-03-19
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH.
By THE K. W. LINE.
Exclusively for the Journal.

WASHINGTON, March IS.-SENATE.-The
credentials of David Wilmot were presented,
and he was sworn in and took his seat.
The Joint resolution of Indiana, request
ing Congress to call a Convention for
amendments to the Constitution was LAID on
the table and ordered to be printed.
The Douglas resolution was taken up and
Breckenridge spoke.
Mr.. Breckenridge said in the present
anxious and distracted condition of the
country, the Senate should not adjourn
without expressing an opinion on the exist
ing state of affairs, and giving some advice
tending to allay public apprehension. Opin-
| ions seem divided as to the meaning of the
inaugural. He was free to confess, and
grati6ed to do so, that its general expressions
are for harmony and the prevention of
bloodshed
But the policy which the President says
he deems it his duty to pursue, must result
! in bloodshed unless essentially modified.
| The leading idea of the inaugural, very
clearly put forth, is the President does not
recognize in any sense the existence of an
other Confederacy, but that he regards all
proceedings and acts in the seeding states,
| either insurrectionary or revolutionary, and
| that it is his purpose to the extent of his
!
| including those which have Withdrawn.
! The inference was irresistible to what
ever extent force was necessary to collect
| duties on imports, and to maintain, possess,
and occupy the forts, force will be employed
| by constituting it to behis constitutional duty.
'Tis true the President has qualified his dec
laration, by saying the course here indica-
! ted will be followed, unless current events
and experience shall show modification or
change to be proper, and in every case and
exigenCy my best discretion will be exer-
cised according to circumstances actually ex-
! listing aud with a view to a peaceful solu-
ton Of our national troubles, and the resto-
! ration of fraternal sympathies and affec-
tons.
he, Breckenridge, took his qualification to
mean that he wall not execute the laws or
hold the forts and other places within the
Withdrawing states, only when circum-
stances show his ability to do so, and he
will not undertake to force those functions
because it would be Irritating and make the
hopes of a peaceful solution more doubtful.
Then the policy would be what viii pre-
vent irritation and blOodshed.
The President conceived it his duty to
hold possession and occupy the forts and to
collect the duties on imports to be modified
according to the necessities of the case which
may surround him. Otherwise his policy
would be simple and easy. In reference to
Fort Sumter, what are the reasons for the
evacuation Not for political but military
reasons not because, in the opinion of the
administration, the fort would irritate the
public mind and render con ciiation and
harmony doubtful, but because the naval
and military does not exist to penetrate to
that point. Unlessit is the purpose of the Pre-
sident to use force so far as was necessary,
he would if his object was for cancellation
withdraw the troops for political and not
military reasons. Then he thought he
was justified in constituting the inaugural to
mean that the President will hold the forts
aud other places, within the confederate states
and collect duties on imports to the extent
of his power, and if there is any modifca-
ton, it is because of his inability, and not be-
cause he would be willing to withdraw the
troops for the purpose of producing concili-
alton and peace in the public mind. The
character of the Cabinet was such as to
induce the belief that force would be used.
Every member excepto one it is understood fa-
vors coercion if it becomes necessary to re-
duce the South to subsection. The very or
ganization OF the Senate and opinions eau
tiously expressed by Republicans here,
show their purpose is to maintain the au-
thority of the federal government over the
withdrawn states by force if necessary.
In the formation of the standing commit
tees there was scarcely chairman of any
one of them where known, whose opinion
was not in favor of this policy. The
country should not be deceived in what was
meant by peace and Cancellation. How
was it to be maintained. He desired |
to know it as sincerely as he
desired the Union of all the States |
He had seen no measure of practical
policy which tends to produce the result
We are in constant danger of collision and
bloodshed. For the sake of the political
and material interests of the country, the
support of its credit and general prosperity
let US establish some leading principle.