The national Republican., 1861-01-11
THIRTY. SIXTH CONGRESS,
SECOND SESSION.
Thursday, January 10, 1861.
SENATE.

Mr.. Sumner presented q memorial from the
Synod Of the Presbyterian Church, praying the
recognition of God and Christ in the Constitu.
ton of the United States, and the prohibition
of slavery in the national domain. -.~|
The credentials of Hon. Daniel Clark, Sen.
ator elect from the State Of New Hampshire,
was read.
Mr.. Brown presented the memorial Of Rev.
c. j. White, pastor of St. Matthew's Church,
Washington, praying authority to dispose Of
certain lots purchased from the United States
for specific purposes.
Mr.. Sldel called up his resolution as to the
Secretary Of Warship and who fills it.
Mr.. Sldel said he believed that the provis.
ions of the Constitution Of the United States
had not been complied with in relation to this
office. He referred to the constitutional pro-
vision in relation to appointments to office,
which he contended had been violated.
If public report was to be relied upon as to
the gentleman who now filed the position Of
Secretary Of War, he felt sure that he could
not be confirmed by the Senate. ...
Mr.. Bigler said that the President had Ia
bored under peculiar difficulties in filling that
office.
The resolution was agreed to by the follow
ing vote-yess 35, nays II. -. 4.
Mr.. POWELL in voting aye, took occasion to
say, that the sction Of the Secretary Of War
ad interim had been much misrepresented.
The Crittenden resolution was taken up and
made the special order for tomorrow ut one
o'clock.
The Pacific railroad bill was made the spe.
cial order for Monday next.
The special message of the President was
then taken up.
Mr.. Davis, in addressing the Senate, said
that events hurrying on rendered useless the
arguments intended yesterday, and compelled
the South to follow quickly the course Of events.
He defended the action Of South Carolina, no.
tced the occupation Of Forts Washington and
McHenry and denied that any attempt was to
be made on the District of Columbia, and in
quired the necessity Of making the city camp.
He denied the power of the President to exc
cute the laws by military force, A Federal
force held possession of fort in the harbor Of
Charleston, which, he regretted to say, had
been seized in violation Of plighted faith. He
did not impute violation Of faith to Major
Anderson, whose orders gave him discretion
to occupy either fort in the harbor; but still,
in view OF the circumstances, it was an act Of
hostility, and placed South Carolina in the at.
titude of an enemy. He denied the right of
the Federal Government to garrison forts in q
State, where the State objected to suchgarrson.
When the Mormons rebelled, the Govern
|
army. Yet, when the sovereign State of South
Carolina declared her independence, the cover
of night was seized to garrison fort against
her. He paid q high eulogy to the efforts Of
South Carolina in the Revolution, and eloquent
ly referred to the gallant defence of Fort Moul-
trrie against the English feet. He argued the
constitutional aspect Of secession, in reply to
Mr.. johnson, of Tennessee. He did not un.
derstand what that Senator meant by fighting
in the Union.
Mr.. johnson replied, that he meaut for the
Senators from the South to remain in their
places, and resist Mr.. Lincoln's attempts at
usurpation.
Mr.. Davis said the Senator's explanation was
sufficient. He evidently did not intend. I'd
fight at all. He hoped, however, that it would
quiet apprehension in Washington ; that the
artillery would not come here; that the militia
would be quiet, and the female schools 60 or
as usual Resuming his argument, he said
that the great object of Congress now should
be to effect peaceful separation, and to main
, tain amicable relations with the States tha
, should leave the Union.
He concluded with an eloquent reference Il
the severng of bonds which had bound thu
States together, and declared that if the Nortf
E did not will peace, a war was being inauguratet
whose equal the world never saw. He ap
; pealed to Northern Senators to avert the evil
/ to preserve frat rnal relations, and maintain I
. beneiicent commerce. 1t was in their hands.
q Mr.. Trumbull said it was very hard for Re
( publican Senators to sit still and hear the per
. sistent misstatements of their position. HI
defended the Republican position at length.
|, Mr.. Green obtained the floor for Monday
and the Presidents message was made tht
9 special order Of the day for Saturday.
Adjourned.
! Mr.. Boteler of Virginia, rising to persona
# explanation, denied the statement published
J. in a newspaper in the Harper's Ferry district
that he offered his resolution raising the specia
committee of thirty.three, at the instance of {
, member of the Republican party. This hi
denied. He had offered that proposition OF
his own responsibility, after consultation will
Democrats and those Of his own (the Ameri
!. can) party. He had wished to test the sinceri
ty of the Republicans. He had rendered tn
olive branch, and wanted to see whether the
:, would offer, in return, the sword. In conclu
sion, he eaid that, unless something be don
T. within week, those who wish to preserve tn
Republic would find themselves unable to d
so.
7, Mr.. Maynard asked leave to offer resolu
ton, instructing the select committee on tn
Presidents special message sent in yesterday
l. to report on that portion OF 1t in relation t.
a submitting to the people the questions whic
r. now threaten q dissolution of the Government
y and that they report at an early day by bill O
is Joint resolution.
). Mr.. Jones objected to the introduction c
the resolution.
Mr.. Morris, of Pennsylvania, presented mt
mortal of citizens of Philadelphia asking for
g National Convention in that city on the 22d {
IS February next, which was laid on the.table.
J. J.. The House proceeded to the eonsideratio
IT of business relating to the District of Columbit
e Mr. Dejarnette Intellectually sought to max
n speech on national questions, but point {