The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-12-27
Congressional Proceedings.
XXXyU CONGRRsS-senate.
First SessiOn.

Washington, Dec. 26.-On motion of Mr..
Hale, II was agreed that when the Senate adj
journ today il be TO meet on Monday next, and
when the Senate meet on that day it adjourn
to next Thursday.
Mr.. Hale offered a resolution that the Pfesi-
dent be requested, ii not incompatible with pub
lie interest to transmit copies of all die patches
which have passed between this Government
and Great Britain, relative to the seizure of
Mestr'. Mason aud Slidell, said dispatches to be
communicated either in open or executive SEES
zion, as may be deemed proper.
Mr.. Sumner objected.
MIR. Hale said that he had understood from
the public press and those who held more init
mate relations with the administration than
hmi elf-though the absence OF this intimacy
not his fault, as he was willing TO be as con-
idental as any body-,hat for three four days
past the cabinet has had under consideration
proposition iraught with more evil TO the coun-
try than anything that had yet marked its his
tory Bnd that was the surrender Of Messrs.
Mason and Slidell to Great Britain. BY doing
this We would yield all we had gained in the
war Of the revolution and be Inundated to a
second rate power. No man would go farther
than himself for peace, but he would not sub
NIT TO National disgrace and dishonor to obtain
such a peace. lie would favor the arbi-
tration Of another power but II demand
has been made by Great Britain for the
surrender Of Messrs Mason and Sldell
war should BIO declared against her instanter.
lie would make all honorable concessions for
peace, but peace involving such a surrender
would he infinitely worse than war His friend
| from Indiana (Lsne) had remarked this morning
| that his state had now sixty thousand men ia
| the field, and would double that number TO
| maintain the rational honor. II this Senate
| should 90 home after such a surrender and hu.
initiation IL would be subject to the scOrn and
indignation of the country. He regarded the
arrogant demand OF England as pretext for
| war. She was determined 70 humliate us first
| ana light us afterwards. Let our cities and
villages be pillaged and burned, but lot our ma.
| tional honor be preserved Francis said that
| after the battle OF Pava all was lost but honor
If this surrender was made, the administra-
tion would meet with such fire in the rear
that 1t would he ihurled from power. If We
had war with England IL would be for the
same cause that had sent one King to the
block and another homeless and houseless over
the world, and one that would appeal to men
wherever the English language was spoken
lie believed too that If Napoleon had one de-
sire moro than another, it was to wipe cut the
stain upon the French arms at Waterloo All
ever Canada there were thousands Of lTishmen
who would rush TO arms TO sustain such a cause
as ours. Oar principles were our great strength,
and II war must come, he would say let it come
and tbauk God that we are the Instruments in
His hands to work out His own cause.
| Mr.. Sumner, Cf Massachusetts said that the
| Senator (llalc) had made u war speech or what
| might ba termed such. For himself hs (Sum
ner) had rather consider this grave aud impor-
tant question when 1t was presented in prac-
teal form. The Senator has treated the whole
matter as an hypothesis. lie (Ilale) had said
that Great Britain had made an arrogant de.
mand VI this Government How did the Sena.
tor know this or the Senate, or the countryi
He (SumneI) did not know it. The Senator
had said he would favor an arbitration-hoV
did he know but what the Administration ha