Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-30

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also petition of 200 citizens Of New York praying
FOR some adjustment Of the difficulties.
Douglas introduced bin amendatory Of the act
OF 1898 and the act Of 1850, in relation to fugitive
slaves. winch was referred to the Judiciary Gem
mIttee.
Gwin presented the memorial OF DIR. Rabe. secre-
tary OF the Pacific Railroad Company, held in Cali
fornia IN 1858 and in 1859 transmitting the proceed
ings OF the Company and the petition asking for the
Railroad bill
anil others Of Newburyport, Mass. in favor ef 4
speedy passage of the Crittenden resolutions.
Wilson made some ironical remarks in favor Of
the petition, which was laid on the table.
Bigier presented resolution in favor of the PAS
sage of the Crittenden resolutions
Crittenden submitted resolutions, in favor Of his
resolutions from Michigan and other States; Also
similar resolutions from the Railroad Convention
Hale objected to the latter.
Iverson presented the ordinance Of secession of
Georgia, which was read He addressed the Senate,
Jusnfying the course of his State
he said there were two important points for the
Government to consider, either to make war or
peace. If it make war. the South will seize all
the fortihcatiens and nOtpay dollar Of the public
debt ILaughterl If coercion was attempted. the
south would fight and never submit to subjugation
I'LL every white man was exterminated. Gotten IS
Ming" II the Government blockades the ports,
other nations viii interfere IfnO war ensues, the
South might consider the subject of a recOnstruc-
uoh' Out ne was opposed to IT, He aelncwlegsd
many eourtesies, and babe Senator's farewell.
Mr.. Bgler presented the resolutions of the Penn
sylyania Legislature.
Mr. HemphiH made lengthy address srruinrin
favor of secession, and that the withdrawal Of a
State was not rebellion, and was no cause of var
de quoted the opinions OF the trainers Of the Con-
stItutlon against coercion. He said if civil war
comes, blood will flow at the North as well as at the
South. There would be no fear Of the insurrection
of the slaves, who would fight for their masters
Two Confederacies would be more powerful than
one. in his judgment Texas viii be constrained to
withdraw from the Union and assume her glorious
Independence. The subject was postponed TIL WedS
nesday.
The Presidents message was then read. Resolu-
tons of the Virginia Legislature were also read
Mason addressed the Senate, moving that the mes
sage be printed. He said Virginia offered herself
as a mediator, and the resolutions required the
President to prevent collision, which, if occur
ring, no mortal man could remedy the evils 70 fol-
low He trusted that the noble efforts Of his State
would prove successful. 1t was delusiOn to thiak
that coercion would not lead 70 war. He said the
seizure of the forts was a measure Of prudence.
If peace was restored every dollar Of public prop
erty would be accounted for. He believed the Sc
ceding States were aetuated by desire to keep ths
peace, and that the plan Of Virginia was the only
course which would avoid the evils now threaten
ing.
Hale asked if Virginia had made a similar appeal
to the Seeding States.
Mason answered that a commissioner had been
sent to tell the Seeding States.
The motion to print was agreed TO.
Senate adjourned.
HoUsE-Ar. Rice presented the petition of 1900
citizens of Boston, OF various political opinions, ask
ing for peaceful adjustment Of our national diff
cutles. The committee to whom it was entrusted
asked that it be presented TO the House, which was
accordingly done. The petition was enclosed in an
American flag. and its presentation caused applause
on the floor and IN the galleries. The Boston com
mttee were in the galleries during the proceedings
The petition was laid on the table in order to be
printed.
John Cochrance introduced Bigler's proposition
for taking a sense of the people OF the several
States the amendments to the Constitution He
said We would be willing TO send it 70 any commit
tee suggested, provided he could be assured they
would not strangle it ; when il referred 20 a
committee Of five on the Presidents special mes
sage.
sylvania Legislature. expressing ardent attachment
70 the Constitution and the Union and repugnance
to secession, and pedgng the support Of that State
in such manner and to such an extent as may be
required for the maintenance of the laws, dc,
which were laid on the table and ordered t. be
printed.
Florence presented joiut resolution proposing
amendments TO the Constitution. He wanted IL
passed to-day, as there was a necessity for doing
something Immediately for Cancellation and peace.
A resolution adopted instrueting the Com
mIttee on the District Of Columbia to inquire into
the expediency of retrOceding TO Maryland the por-
ton of the District not necessary for the wants Of
the Federal Government
The resolutions of the Tennessee Legislature
were presented. Tabled and ordered to be printed.
Vandever of Iowa, offered joint resolution that
no grounds exist for dissolution; that 1t IS inexpe-
dent to amend the Constitution; and that govern
ment which cannot execute its own laws IS not fit
to be maintained. Referred to Committee Of Five.
On motion of Aldrirk, the Committee on Ways
and Means was instructed to consider the expedien-
ey of repeating the tariff on sugar.
Morris offered resolution that members from slave
holding States be requested to present an utlmatum
proposition embracing their views upon which they
will be willing to pledge their States to act up TO in
the Union as final adjustment. He moved the pre-
vious custom, when the resolution was lost, % only
voting in the affirmative.
The Speaker presented the Presidents message.
To the Senate and Hogse Of Representatives, Of Hi'
United SAFES:
deem it my duty to submit to Congress a series
of resolutions adopted by the Legislature Of Vir
GINA on the 18th inst, having in view the peaceful
settlement of the existing questions which now
threaten the Union. They were delivered to me on
Thursday the oath inst, by Ex-President Tyler whC
has left his dignifed and hOnored retirement in the
hope that he may render service to his country In
this its hour Of peril
These resolutions, it viii be perceived extend an
invitation to all such States, whether saTehOlding
non-slavehodng as are willing to unite with Viz
ginin in an earnest effort to adjust the present I'M
happy controversies in the spirit in which the Con
stitution was originally formed and consistent with
its principles so as 70 afford 70 the people of the
slsveholdng States adequate guarantees for the Sc
eurity of their rights. to appoint Commissioners tC
meet on the 4th day of February next iH the city
| Washington similar Commissioners appointed By
Virginia to consider, and if practible, agree upOI
some suitable adjustment
| Ieenfess hail this movement on the part of Vir
iua with great satisfaction. From the past history
! of this ancient Commonwealth, we have the fules
] assurance that what she has undertaken she viii
accomplish il il can be done by able, enlightened
and persevering efforts. 1t is highly gratifying tC
know that other patriotic States have appointed an,
are appointing Commissioners to meet those Of FIr
/ qinia ir council When assembled, they viii eOnsu
! tute body entitled, in eminent degree, TO tn
confidence Of the country. The General Assembl,
! has appointed ex-President Tyler, who is here, a
Commissioner to the President Of the United States
| and also Judge John Robinson. by a Ike vote,
| Commissioner to the State of South Carolina am
the other States that have seeded or shall secede
with instructions respectfully 70 request the PFes
dent of the United States and the authorities of sue
States to agree TO abstain, pending the proceeding
contemplated BY the action of the General Assem-
| bly, from any and all acts calculated to produce
| collision of arms between the States and the Gov
| ernment of the United States,
However strong may be the desire to enter mt
! such an arrangement. am convinced that do no
| possess the power, and Congress alone. under th'
| war; making power. can exercise the discretion o
agreeing to abstain from any and all acts eaicuate
to prevent collision Of arms between this and an,
other Government. 1t would therefore, be usurps
ton for the Executive TO attempt to restrain thel
hands by an agreement in regard to matters owe
which he has 10 control If he was thus TO act the
! might pass laws which he should be bound to obey
| though in conflict with his agreement. Undef ex
| isting circumstances, my present actual power ]
| confined within very narrow limits. IL - my duty
at all times to protect and defend the public proper
tv within the seeding States far as may be praC
ticable and especially to employ the constitutions
means to protect the property OF the United State
and to preserve the public peace at this the seat
the Federal Government If the seeding STATE
abstain from any and all acts calculated to prOduc
a collision Of arms, then the danger. so much 10
deprecated, VIII no longer exist.
Defense. and not aggression, has been the polio
| of the Administration from the beginning bui
whilst can enter into no such engagements as ths
proposed. | cordially commend to Congress wit
much confidence that it will meet their approba
ton TO abstain from passing any law calculated I
produce collision Of arms pending the proceeding
contemplated by the action of the General Assem-
|