Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-01-10
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHIE0TOE, Jan. 2

HOUSE.
Mr. Stratton asked leave to present memorial
Of the citizens Of Princeton on the subject of
National affairs containing practical suggestions.
The Speaker lald q message before the House
from the President He says
At the opening of the session he called atten
ton TO the dangers ol the Union, and recomHieu-
ded such measures Of relief as he believed Would
have the effect OF tranquflizing the country and
save il from the perils in which il is needlessly
and unfortunately placed. It Is not necessary to
repeat this opinion and recommendation bis
opinions there remained unchanged. He regrets
70 say that matters instend Of becoming better
are still worse, and hope is diminished
In alluding 10 the condition of South Carolina,
he says there Is no alternative but to collect the
revenue and protect the public property as far as
practicable under the laws. His duty Is to exc
cute and not 70 make the laws The right and
duty 70 use the military and naval force against
those who Illegally assall the Federal Govern
ment are clear and indisputnbie, but the present
state Of things was beyond the Executive control.
We are ia the midst Of a great revolution, and
he recommended 70 Congress 10 act in the present
emergency. To CnnEress is reserved the power 10
declare war and remove the grievance that might
lead to war, and restore peace 70 the country. In
them rests the responsibility. After ealOgizing
the blessings conferred by the Union, be says
the Southern as IN the Northern States The seces
sion movement is chiefly made an apprehen
sion as 70 the sentiments Of majority Of several
of the Northern States. Let the question be
transferred to the political nssembly-tO the bal
lot-box. The people win redress the grieyances.
In Heavens name let the trial be made before we
plunge into the assumption that there is nOOther
alternative. Let US have reflection. Would that
South Carolina had rejected. He appeals to
Congress 10 say In their might, the Union shall
& must be preserved BY all Constitutional means.
He recommends Congress to devote themselves 10
prompt action with viewt0 peace. A division
on the line Of SO deg 90 min Is suggested as cal
custed 70 produce an adjustment IT was an i'm.
uutation on members TO say they will hesitate a
moment The danger Is on u.s. In several Of the
Stafes Forts and Arsennls have been seized bF
aggressive acts. Congress should endeRvOr 70
give the difficulties peacefTl solution, He states
the reasons Why he reffained from sending troops
10 Charleston harboT, believing this would have
furnished the pretect, II not the pr0Tocation on
the mart of South Carolina for aggression.
referring to Mai Anderson, he SAYS that Of
e.er could not. before he left Fort Moulfrie have
LeId that post IS or 60 hours. He had warned his
STas faithfuily but imperfectly performed. He
-oe conscious he useant well for his country.
-Nr Howard, Of Michigans moved thai The EeEs-
&c be referred % epocel eonnlttee ol nses win
- n ~ Unfted states have been nov treat
S-- m kolding communication with any person or
uarsons for the surrender OF ne ofs ~ Any otner
kkr7rarfv. whether any demnad !or their surreuder
10 'feen made, and hV whom, and what ungWtf has
been Civ en-; Wteiher any oicsl y olefe l.ts ells
tered into any pledge nqt q eng q
-fere 81 whom and on what cons defHtl MS Wheth-
a. fhe custom house, post once ana ateeual az
fbarleston, have bsen aaizedi ana " Who1 hsia N
.-isasaion whether any revenue mas peen heiAeli
~ ,,lefher any Efforts have been made % rec0Yerlf
Mot me COMMITTEES have power 20 seno lor psrsona
nd neTers and report from time % time, saeh sue
80 lo7,s7on rsised the point that such tnstruc-
- - r-.aTs arefuHf the rule7l lL A-Lf
WT Howard replied and moved ths p7eYiola qpsa-
tions