Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-01-16
Grlrotap6it.
CONGRESSIONAL.

WAsHTSGToS, Saturday, January L.
SENATE--'fhe proceedings of the Senate
were opened with prayer.
Mr.. Cameron asked whether vote could
be taken to allow persons u the floor Of the Sen
ate :?
Mr. Toombs OBJ ected.
The President decided that the rules might be
dispensed with by unanimous consent
Further objection being made, vast number
Of ladies and gentlemen retired to the lobby
rooms.
The diplomatic corps are in attendance, aid at
least thousand ladies and twelve hundred gen
tlemen are in attendance and it is impossible for
any more to Obtain admission.
A motion to fill the vacancy in the Board OF
Regents in the Suliths0niesI Institute was laid on
the table.
Mr. Gwin moved that the Senate proceed to the
special order, TIE consideration of the Presidents
message.
Mr.. Seward took the floor
Mr.. Seward said Congress reassembled this
winter in the pressure of the arrangement of bust
ness, and the disturbance of public well as pri-
vate credit and In the face of sedit0us combina-
items 70 overthrow the Union. The alarm is APP
paIIing, for the Union is not more the body than
liberty is the soul of the nation.
He avowed his adherence to the Union, and its
integrity in all its parts-with my friends; with
nv party; with nv State; with my country; or
event, whether CT peace or war; with every conse-
quence of honor OF dishonor; of lifeor death.
After stating that the Union not be saved
by mutual recrininatiOnS, or continuance of de-
bate on the constitutional power of Congress over
the subject of slavery IN the Territories, dis
cussing the right of the Federal Government to
coerce seeding States into obedience, he says If
the Union is to 20 ON, the latter question viii give
way to a more practicable one, whether seeding
States have ight to cOerce the remaining mem
bers to acquiesee in dissolution
He abhorred civil war--did not know what the
Union would be worth, if saved by the sword.
Yet be did not agree with those who desire to avert
the calamity, and advised constitutional or IN
opposed separation, with view to what they call
a reconstruction Of the Union. The Union can be
dissolved, not by secession, but by the voluntary
consent of the people. The United States Con-
gress ought not to remain inpassive; it ought, If
il can redress every real grievance to the offended
States, and then ought to supply the President
with all means necessary to maintain the Union.
Beyond this. with proper activity on the part OF
the Executive, the responsibility of saving the
Union belongs TO the people and they are album
dainty competent to discharge it.
Dir. Seward argued at length on the advantages
ofthe Union, and the effects Ofdisunion, from all
points of view and proceeded to show what is the
ground of disccnfent. 1t is, that the Disunionsts
did not accept as conclusive the arguments urged
in behalf of the successful candidate in the late
canvass-deeming their own arguments agains
him more satisfactory TO his supporters De said
the Constitution did not require the arguments d
one party be satisfactory the other, and tina:
the constitutional remedy for their inevitable dis
satisfaction is in renewed debate and ultimate re
hearing in a subsequent election He denied tina
the Republicans perverted power for the purpOs'
Of oppression, for they never he'd power.
After further remarks, he said that as concerns
the bondman, the laws of the State within which
man is property are Sup. eme, and that on his IS
cape to another, the Constitution regards him
b0ndman, who shall be delivered, ON claim, to th'
party to whom his service is due While thinkin.
the act of Congress on the subject should be 5,
modified as to protect freemen from being carried
into slavery he argued that all the laws of States
free or slave relating to this class of persons con
travening the Constitution of the United States
ought to be repealed; and he was willing to vot
for an amendment to the Constitution, that Con
gress should never have the power to abolish 0
interfere with slavery within the States. If Kan
sas were admitted under the WvandOtte CoRstitu
ton, and the organic laws of other Territore
could be repealed, he could vote to authorize tn
admission of two new States which should includ
them, reserving the right to offer the subdivision
whenever necessary into several convenient State:
but he did not find that such reservations could b
constitutiOnally made without them. The ulterio
embarrassment WOuid outweigh all the lmIne1llat
advantage of such measure. 81 prefer when Oh
angry excitement Of the hour shall have subsidei
one, two, or three years hence, a convention
the people to decide whether any or what amend
ments of the original law ought 70 be made" ii
was ready TO vote for any properly guarantee
laws to prevent nvasions of the States by either
of other States, and punish those who should al
or abet them Lastly, he was in favor of II
Pacific Railroad
Mr. Seward concluded by saying: Il sha
cheerfully support the Government in whatey'
prudent and energetic efforts it shall make to pr
serve public peace and maintain the Union, advi
ing only moderation, forbearance and c0nc
ton, and By expressing the conviction that q
hour not vet come for this great Union
fall. Woe, woe. to the man that nladly lifts h
hand against il. 1t shall continue and endur
and men in after times shall declare that this eel
Grafton which saved the Union from sudden an
unlocked for dangers, surpassed in magnificent
even that one which laid its foundations in Il
eternal principle Of Liberty, Justice and HI
mainly
Mr.. BigIer presented memorials from cit;ze,
of Philadelphia and York praying for the adoptiC
of the comprcnise measures of Mr. Crttenden.
Mr.. Pugh presented petition for the postpon
ment of the Pacific Railroad BILL Laid ON Il
table.
Mr.. Hunter reported back the House bill
supply deficiencies, with amendments, striking o
100000 in the clause for the suppression of d
slave trade, and inserting S500,000; also fixir
compensation mileage of Senators at 50 900, al
their miscellaneous expenses $1,000.
Mr. Doolitte offered a resolution authorizil
Com Pauldirg to accept certain marks of d
tinction from the Nicaraguan Governments o
of public thanks and sword. Adjourned.