The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-03-20

congressional.

Whereas. the presence Of military force
concentrated and permanently quartered at
the scat Of government, is a departure from
all former usage OF the Government, ana
therefore dangerous 10 the rights and liber-
ties of the people, therefore, ,
Resolved, That the President inform the
Senate what number OF troops OF the army
are auartered in the city, the respective arms
of the service and the purpose Tor which they
were brought here; and further, that he in
form the Senate when said troops are to be
withdrawn and, if not to he Withdrawn, tor
what purpose they are maintained here, and
whether it is his purpose to increase said
force, and to what extent.
Mr.. Douglas resolution in respect to the
forts, arscnals, navy yards, and other public
property in the seeding States, was then
taken up. -.....-. ala.
Mr.. Douglas advocated his resolution. He
did not believe the policy of the Admin'stra-
ton was war; the construction OF the In
au rural was disputed by some on his side,
while The Republicans were silent, neither
asserting or dissenting from his intcrpreta-
ton. The policy of the Administration be
ing peace. ire desired to relieve the appre.
| tensions of the country by obtaining a reply
| to his resolution, viii n he believed would
! give quiet and restore good feeling among the
the differen, sections of the country.
! lie gave his reasons why Mr.. Lincoln does
! not mediate war. amonr which Were that he
| had no power to collect revenues in the Sc
! cedinr States, nor could he call out the mill,
! Tia. unless to act as posse comiiatus TO
Federal officers in cases where the laws were
DISTRACTED u.a
/ If he designed taking the forts, &C., an
army of 100000 men would he necessary,
costing over $50, 0O0,O 900 Annually. In con-
! cluSiOn he advocated such ame ndments to
| the Constitution as would hold the border
/ States, and this would secure reunion OF
! all. He congratulated the Republicans that
! they Lad patriotically abandoned the prohi-
bition of slavery in the Territories, and adj
nitted the popular sovereignty doctrine in
the formation of the governments for Color,
ado, Dacotah and Nevada. ... + s.
Mr.. Wilson said Mr.. Douglas was man
Of anxiety. The President had scarcely de
lisered his kind and genial Inaugural, when
the Senator from Illinois steps forth unaSked
to give his Interpretation. Nobody OH the
Republican side had undertaken to sancti On
or dsavow that Interpretation, bnt the Sen.
ator was not content to stand even on his
own Interpretation of the inaugural.
He was not content that the President and
Cabinet which had just taken possession of
the government and country in ruins, should
not have time enough to cast about and see
what principles and patriotism require to be
done but he rushed into his. Chamber and
brought in resolution asking the Admins
tration to declare to tf,e country what it in
tends to do. The administration should
make known its policy through gentlemen
in whom it had confidence.
Mr.. Douglas said he could pardon the pet
uance of the Senator, who only showed he
was hurt He talked about strutting, when
it was that Senator's only purpose to make
personal assault on him. He referred to
! Wilson as belonging to the war wing Of the
Republicans. 49,.
Mr.. FesSenden called Douglas attention
to the fact that he said the Senator from
Maine. instead of Massachusetts. "
Douglas said he was mistaken, he did not
refer to the Senator from Maine; his words
were, 'ifroal whatever quarter they come"
Fesscndeh replied his remarks were un
derstood as he (Fessenden) had said. s..
Mr.. Douglas-Some cannot understand
truth when it is told Courtesy requires the
Senator to accept his explanation The Sen,
ator attaches more importance to himself
than others do. He is respectable. debates
very well. and he should not think alusion
was made to him as there were other people
than himself.
Mr. FesSenden thought Mr.. Douglas had
merely made a slip Of the tonyu, in saying
! the Senator from Maine.
Mr.. Douglas-Whcn make correction
the Senator is bound to accept. You don't
admit it because say the statement is false
and the Senator ought to know it. (SeEsa.
tom Ha
Mr. Fessenden said the Senator was de-
/ termned on having persopl quarrel. He
could not admit Douglas to be gentleman
because he had used ungentlemanly Ian
guage He then proceeded to speak o.
| Douglas, and showed why tie resolution
ought not to pass. ..
The tendency and design Of Douglas
speech was to induce the belief that the
country is about being plunged into war by
an act of the Administration, and inhamc
the suspicious of the people.
He made it rule in this chamber to in
suit no man, or use offensive language. He
did not know whether Mr.. Douglas held tc
the code Of honor.
Mr.. Douglas said Mr. Fessenden would BIZ
informed when he made inquiries in the
proper way.
| Mr.. Fessenden replied, Mr.. Douglas cour
age was well known, but he need not be
fearful that he would send him challenge, OF
words to that effect.
There was further colloquy.
! Nv JJa1a caid ho rnnoopi2e1 n norton n
the censure of Douglas as inteded for him
self He found already prepared for him f;
little speech, to be found IN an old book
18th chapter: Absolom said, ooh. that
were made Judge in the land, that every
man which hath any suit or cause nigh
come unto me and would do him justice
(Laughter.) This speech he preferred to HI
crude ideas. @ ........- .
Douglas quotation would have grea
weight; it only showed it was read to avoiG
argument-to make personal attack or
him, hence he would say come on-make ar
attack after attack-get your quotation:
ready in advance. | am ready to meet yol
the Senator from Mass. led off in miser
able personal attack-thc Senator from
I Maine followed-the Senator from \. II
came in with what he called a writer
speech. expect to give th"m some trouble
during this session. ! know their schemes
don't mean they shall break up the Unior
and draw the country into war. [Applaus'
in the galleries ~
A Senator suggested the galleries be clear
ed.
Mr.. Douglas, As the galleries will not b.
quiet, ! will say no more, and abruptly tool
his seat. Executive Session. Adjourned