The national Republican., 1861-02-08
THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS,
SECOND SESSION,
Thursday, February 7, 1861.
cHN ArE

states, WnlCn were lalu on tne VhDl6,
Mr.. Thompson, Of New Jersey, read short
speech in reply to the remarks of his colleague
(Mr. Ten Eyck) few days since, in defence
of the right of instruction. He expressed his
concurrence with the recent conservative reso.
lutions of the Legislature of New Jersey.
Mr.. Ten Eyck responded at some length, in
defence Of his position.
Mr.. Collamer, of Vermont, presented me.
mortal asking the adoption Of the border State
proposition.
Mr.. Collamer addressed the Senate, urging
that when Congress desired an amendment to
extend the power of the General Government,
that body should propose amendments-when
the States wished to limit that power, the States
should propose to amend. In the case now be-
fore us il was one evidently in which the States,
and not Congress, should act He would there.
fore oppose any action, by Congress, on the
subject.
Messrs. Bgler and Cameron presented Union
memorials.
Mr.. Sumner reported q joint resolution au.
thorizing Commodore Pauldng to receive a
sword and grant of land from the Republic
of Nicaragua.
The Senate then took up the Presidents
message.
Mr.. Wigfall took the floor, and replied to the
that that Senator had been shot, hung, and
burned in efigy, all though his own State of
Tennessee whether that would be repeated IN
propria persona when the Senator returned
home, more concerned that Senator than it did
him, Mr.. Wigiall.)
Mr.. Wigfall continued, urging that the Sena.
tor from Tennessee Mr.. Johnson) had persist.
emily misrepresented the institutions of South
Carolina. The people there had voted for Sc.
cession in voting for immediate secession.
lists " to the Convention. There was no prop.
erty qualification for voters in that State. Suf.
frage was universal to all white citizens over
twenty.one. He was extremely hard in his al.
lusions to Mr.. johnson, said he was an ally of
the Black Republicans quoted from Jackson's
record to show that the proclamation" was
an exceptional act in his political history, and
that at all other times he had proclaimed the
republican doctrine of State rights. He ar
gued at great length in defence of the consti-
tutional right of secession. He defended Mr..
Davis, Of Miss, from the assaults made while
Davis was absent. 1t was said the jackal
preyed on food the nobler beast refused, but it
was reserved for the human race to witness
the spectacle OF the jackal preying on the dead
lion. Loud applause.)
On motion OF Mr.. Fessenden the gentlemen's
galleries we're cleared.
Mr.. Wigfall, resuming, continued, and de.
c!ared that he did not care whether there was
peace or war. Cotton was sure Defence and
if a vessel bearing flag of thirty three stars
entered q cotton. State port, it would be fred
on, because it claimed those stars which had
been plucked from that banner. He said that
the Government had fallen into ruins. Men
canvassed for the Presidency like they were
running for constables. For himself he had
rather keep a railroad hotel, and sell unbaked
bread, fried meat, and rye coffee, at rs cents,
than be President of the United States. He
concluded at o'clock, having spoken four
hours.
And, after few minutes debate as to the
order Of business, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House passed, with amendments, the
Senate bill to reorganize the Patent Office and
to amend the Patent laws.
The House resumed the consideration of the
report Of the committee Of thrty-three.
Mr. Corwin said he would not call the pre-
vious question until week hence.
Mr. Davis, of Maryland, then proceeded to
deliver a speech on the report of the commit
tee. He spoke of the corruptions Of the times
as being the cause of our difficulties, and in
this connection spoke of the imbecility of the
President and the treason of several of his for.
mer Cabinet officers. We are driven, he said,
to one of two alternatives we must recognise
what is now regarded as an complished fact
not to be recalled, or we must refuse to &C.
knowledge it, and accept all the responsibility
attached to the refusal. He would not quarrel
about words. The Constitution and laws of
the United States must be enforced and those
who stand across the path of that enforcement
must either destroy the power of the United
States, or it will destroy them. Applause
He trusted, however, that this condition was
centuries, aye, thousands of years distant. He
could speak for the State of Maryland. Ap.
plause. She was confident in the strength
of this great Government to protect her.
Mr. Kunkel, of Maryland. As you speak
for Maryland, desire to be heard. Cries of
"order" from the Republican side.
Mr.. Davis declined to yield the floor.
Mr.. Kunkel. Don't speak for Mary and,
sir, speak for yourself Renewed cries Of
"order."1
Mr.. Davis. I represent the Fourth Con.
gressonal district but say, whether elected
by the people of the whole Of Maryland or not,
| will speak for what know to be the will of
the people of Maryland. Deafening applause.
If ever the disunion issue were made there, he
would meet it from St. Mary's to Allegheny,
in every county. Renewed applause.
Mr.. Kunkel. I'll meet you here. Cries Of
"order.'
Cries were made from the Democratic side
to clear the galleries..
Mr.. Spinner remarked that it i'll became
gentlemen on the other side of the House to
object to this applause now, as they had never
objected when treason was preached on this
floor.
The Speaker stated that unless order was
preserved, he would be compelled to enforce
the rule.
Mr.. Davis hoped his friends would express
neither appreciation or disapprobation at what.
ever he might have to say.
Mr.. Davis continued: There lwere causes
which lay at the bottom of the present shaking
of the fabric of the National Government.