New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-27
uousE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
W.suryGIoS, Tuesday, Feb. ~, /,

Mr.. KELLOGG Rep, I'LL rose 10 present the peti.
ton Of 226 voters Of Illinois praying the adoption Of
the peace proposition heretofore submitted by himself
Mr.. EDGRRTON iRep., Ohiol objected
MIR. KELLOGG surprised that any one should
be unwilling 10 admit an expression Of the people,
while we are being hurried into the caamites Of civil
and the disruption OF the Government ls threat
ened.
Mr.. EDGFRTON replied the gentleman could pre-.
sent the petition under The Iges. ,....,.. ....
that State, signed by men Of all parties in favor of the
! Crittenden proposition.
buttons Of the Pennsylvania Democratic Convention.
Laid on the table.
The House took up the Volunteer bill.
MI HOWARD REP, Mich.J resumed his remarks
in favor Of it, which be argued merely gave construc
ton 10 laws already In existence. IL the duty Of
Congress 10 put into the hands Of the President the
means for performing bis duty, aud 10 point out the
mode in which he should DO II. They could not be
released from this obligation. lie repeated that the
President should have the power 10 execute the Con-
situon in all iis parts The highest dnty Of govern
ment which dates far anterior TO all constitutions, Is
10 preserve its existence.
Mr. PRYOR Dem, Va sal il was the purpose Of
the dominant party, plainly manifested and openly
avowed TO drive through the bill by the pressure Of
irrepressible rule. As this was foregone oonclu-
zion, he hoped II would pass a. once, 10 the end that
the people OF Virginia and the South may be aroused
20 the perils which menace their destruction.
lie doantly challenged them 70 assume the attitude Of
hostility corresponding to their bloody designs. lie
cogrLc the independence of the seeded States 10
surrender the control over the captured FORE In
short, they are resolved to permit The South
no other alternative but submission Fnbjugation.
In the event that the South declines to capula'e CO.
ercion by arms is their purpose and policy. Who 20
bold as 10 deny this assertion He desired 10 proclaim
TO the country that the policy Of the dominant party
and the incoming Administration Il To carry slaughter
and sword into the bosoms of the people OF the South,
rather than tolerate the existence OF Southern Con-
fedeacy. The object Is 10 chastlse and bubdue the
seeded States.
By this bill the President may carry on against
them vigorous hostility. In fact, it OF
faIicdal and civil war clearly against the letter and
spirit of the Constitution.
Mr.. CURTIS rep, Iowa. said Mr.. Pryor had
INDUCED ia strain of defamation and dennCiatiOn
similar TO that Of his colleague (hlr Bocockl. The
Republicans were accused Of medita'ing coercion,
when everything they bad done and said had no
such bearing. The gentleman expressed the hoTe
that the bill would speedily pas for the purpose Of
aTousing Virginia and the South. He did not thus
speak 10 reason, TO tie BILL or 10 Congress- but 10
the Convention Of Virginia, aud 10 the assemblies
OF the South who are taking action against his own
mother country The gentlemans own statement
that a Confederacy exists within the United States
should induce 10 draw around ourselves all the
means Of power and protection We can command. II
we are q nation we ought TO chow it. What are the
pillars Of government Goodness WISDOM and power.
There can be no Government without power, and no
law without sanction, the omission Of which would be
mere advice. The bill now pending was for means of
there was nothing unconstitutional in the bill, which
only extended the provisions Of existing laws.
Jefferson and Madison and other Presidents had power
TO call ont State troops. He repeated that the bill Is
intended to aid in the execution of the laws, maintain
our common Government, and protect aud shield
citizens in oil sections lie did not make the
Southern States, but every man who raised his
hand against the Government, in the
Southern States, was In rebellion against IL.
II gentlemen have affection for The county, let them
rally around its standard There Is peace II people
will not show loyalty. The peace and safety Of
society depend on the Government, which every man
IL bound 20 support and the Government Ia bound to
support every man. There was no n9li for any State
10 secede.
Mr. BURNETT Dem, Ky.l asked whether II was
the prpo,e Of the Republicans under this BILL to re-
enforce the forts in the seeded States held Ivy the
Federal Government and TO recapture the forts taken
therein nnloss they shall be surrendered.
Mr. CURTIS replied that his purpose was TO support
the Constitution IL IT, until come power shall be
vested in him 20 do otherwise. lie had sworn 10
support the COnstitutiOn and must do IL may not
be necessary TO reinforce those forts Ia the |
present exaspciated state Of the public mind. |
lie (Curis) recognized rebellion and civil war NJ
listing in the South lie wonld resort 10 all honorable
means TO avoid conflict Of arms and did not believe
would be necessary 10 army thither until the
people carry their hosilies against the United States.
Mr.. BURNETT (Dem., Ky.l though not satisfied |
with the answer, said he must accept 1t. lie asked /
another question. In executing and enforcing the |
laws, do you hold IL necessary in doing 30 TO re-
enforce the Southern forts in possession OF the Fed
eral Government, and 10 reeapture tho property
Mr.. CURTIS liep., Iowa. replied, he was not
going TO cay in open sets0p and in public, what II may