Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-04-06
SP H EGM OF
hon. John G. Breckinridge.

|
the resolution of Mr.. Douglas, making
inquiry relative to the forts and other Fed
eral property in the seeded States. The
speech is marked with all the force and
sound judgment which characterizes the
arguments Of the distinguished Kentucki-
an, and points out at once the cause and
remedy of existing evils -
MIR. Brockinridgc, of Kentucky, said it
was not his intention to tresspass lcng up-
on the time of the Senate but in the
present anxious and distracted condition
of the country, this body should not ad e.
Journ without expressing an opinion on the
existing state of affairs, and giving some
advice tending to allay the public appro.
hension. Heretofore, in an official position
as presiding officer, he had of necessity
been silent spectator of the scenes before
him. Since the last Congress met the
Confederacy had been dismembered.
AT an carly period of the late sc ssi on
he, with others, had made strenuous efforts
In order to consumoto a satisfactory ad-
Justment. Unhappily, all these efforts have,
failed. He thought he forcsaw, soon after
Congress met, that they would all fail, and
accordingly more than two months ago he
wrote to the Governor of Kentucky to that
effect. No man regretted this failure
more than he did and now, the other
branch of Congress having adjourned, he
should regret if this body separated with
out giving their opinion or advice in order
to allay apprehension in the public mind.
Then the immediate question was one of
peace or war. SO it was to-day. What
ever may be the possibility of an ultimate
adjustment to unite all the States, it was
one of peace or war. Public opinion
seemed to be divided as to the meaning of
tf npgG Hltaf Htf $H2E $6SHHgf2GEof fq~ Il Il ta gash
peace and conciliation' The Senator from
Maine (Mr, Fcssenden) has also said So
The President himself certainly used gen.
eral terms Of Cancellation.
But then, it was proper to inquire what
kind of peace, and on what kind of terms
it can be maintained. The country, how
ever, should not be lullcd by general
assurance of peace, unless he was prepared
to give it. He regretted that he had not
been able to construo the inaugural ad-
dress as other Senators, He was free to
confess, and he was gratifed to do so, that
the general expressions are for harmony
and the prevention Of bloodsheed; but the
policy which the President says he deems
is his duty to pursue must result in blood
shed unless it is essentially modified
lie then proceeded to read from the
inaugural that part which seemed to him
to be the key on his important point, and
then said : The leading idea was therein
very clearly put forth that the President
does not recognize IN any sense the exist
ence of another Confoderacy of States, but
that he regards all the proceedings and
acts in the seeded States as either insur-
roctionary or revolutionary, and that it is
his purpose, to the extent Of the power
confded in him, and the force at his COM
mand, to enforce the laws in all the States,
including those which have withdrawn be-
yond this power. "Thore will be no inva-
sion--no war;" The inference was ire
sistible that, to whatever extent force or
invasion is necessary to collect duties on
imports, and to maintain, possess, and oc-
cupy the forts, that forco will be employed
by constituting it to be his constitutional
duty. 1t is true, the President has quali-
fed his declaration by saying that the
course here indicated will be followed,
''unlcss current events and experience shall
show a modification or change to be proper,
and in every case and oxigency my best
discretion will be exercised according to
circumstances actually existing, and with
n view and a hope of a peaceful solution
of the national troubles and the restora-
ton of fraternal sympathies and affections"
He (Mr. Breckinridgo) took this quail
fication to mean that he will undertake to
execute the laws or to hold the forts and
other places within the Withdrawing States
excepting where circumstances show his
inability to do SO. If he will not under
take to exercise those functions because it
will be irritating, and make the hopes of
peaceful solution more doubtful, then this
policy would be that which would prevent
irritation and bloodshed. But the Presi-
dent conceived it to be his duty to hold,
possess, and occupy the forts, and collect
the duty on imports, to be modified accor-
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