Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-02-27
CONGRESSIONAL.

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, February 20.
SENATE.-Mr. Powell moved to amend by
repeating all acts giving bounties to fishermen
Lost-le against 81.
Mr. Bayard moved to add a provision that
duties be levied any article in the BILL not to
exceed thirty per cent. dd rdlOrem, in the port
whence exported, except wines and brandies
Lost-ls against %.
The next question being on Mr. Lanes amend
ment, he moved to adjourn The motion was re-
jected. He spoke at length against the bill, on
secession, etc.
Mr.. Wilson moved to amend by inserting the
first act of the tariff of 1857, with the rates in
creased by that of 1916, the free list untouched.
Lost.
Mr.. Lanes amendment was lost-l3 against %.
The bill then passed.
AYEs-Nessrs. Anthony, Baker. Bingham,
Cameron, Chandler Clarke, DOolittle, Durkee,
Foot, Foster, Grimes, Hale, Harlan, King, Nor
reii, Seward, Simmons, Sumner, Ten Eyck,
Trumbull, Wade, Wilkinson and Wilson-23
NAYs.-Messrs. Bragg, Clingman, Douglas,
Green, Hunter, johnson of Arkansas, johnson of
Tennessee, Lane, Latham, Nicholson, Pearce
Powell, Rice and Sebastian-l4. Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Thursday February IS.
SENATE.-Mr Doolittle presented petition
from the citizens of Milwaukee numerously signed
asking Congress to stand by the Constitution and
Mr. Powell presented petition OF the citizens
of Wisconsin in favor of the Crittenden resolu-
tons
MesSrs Dixon and Bigler presented numerous
petitions for the border State and Crittenien res
olutions
Mr. Bragg presented the credentials of Mr.
Clingman, elected Senator from North Caro-
lima.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
49, II.
seeding States, which was laid over.
Yesterday Mr.. Hunter said. Ii the States were
In the Union we had no right to cut off their pos
tai benefits The postal laws had not been re-
sisted and we could not undertake under the
Constitution to punish States in this way. He
said the expressions Instruction and rebellion in
the bill seemed to be but steps which would end
in using force agaidst the States
Mr.. Doolittle said that it was a measure of
peace, not Of war. He said it was the duty of the
Government to acknowledge. and face the
changes of the day. What are the new ideas we
have to meet? The first is the idea that slavery
Is bessing-and proper state of society in our
Republic. This idea was not admitted by the
men who formed the Constitution but was the
idea of Calhoun. He said it was an evil socially
and politically.
Mr.. Clingman asked when Mr. Calhoun said
slavery was a blessing?
Mr.. DooEtte-He said so on the floor of the
Senate. He said it was the best and most stable
basis of free institutions. This idea now reigns
despotic in the Southern States, and threatens to
destroy everything, unless it is admitted and re-
cognized. The first demand was of the Demo
cratic party; and because that party would not
fully admit it. it was disrupted and DESTROYED
To day, with arms in their hands, the South de-
mands that we shall make new Constitution
and carry slavery into Territories where it never
f<..1 H.. IL IL. Il 4 \
was one of the means which would give peace to
the Union
Mr.. Hunter said he was glad to hear that this
was not measure OF coercion, but he thought it
was not necessary to pass it. the Postmaster
General has all the power necessary
Mr.. Powell spoke against the BILL and said that
if it passed it would give the power OF despot
to the head clerk of the Department and destroy
the liberty of the people.
Mr. Fessenden said he thought Senators were
drawing on their imagnatons. The bill simply
gives power to the Postmaster General to suspend
the operations of the laws and relieve him of any
attempt 10 enforce the laws. 1t is most eminentiy
a measure of peace. The secret is, that gentle
men want TO force us TO acknowledge that seces-
sion is lawful. 1t seems to be the simple truth
that gentlemen won't let us have a measure of
peace without acknowledging the right of seces-
sion.
Mr.. Hunter opposed the bill as coersive.
Mr.. Doolittle said-H is measure of peace,
not war
Mr.. Douglas considered the bill peace mea-
sure-and was gratifed to see it from the other
side of the house.
After some few remarks in response to those
of Mr.. Doolittle, Mr.. Douglas said he believed
there was a deliberate plan to break up the Union
on the pretext of devotion, and there were as
many dir unionsts North as South.
Further debate ensued, and Mr.. Green pro-
posed amendment that the Postmaster Cen
eral also suspend mails where an organization ex-
lists for running off slayesg No action was taken
ON the bill.
The miscellaneous appropriation bill was taken
up, after which an Executive session, and the
Senate adjourned.