Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-03-26
NEWS RY TELEGRAPH,
Unitsd states senqts-Exsra Session.
Wtorrrc-o~ Nsroh OK

WkaBmGron, March %.
On motion Of M. Hale his resolution for
fte election ofa Sergeant AZ arms and Door.
Keeper vhs laid over for the present.
On motion of Mr.. POWELL il was resolved
that the President be requested 70 communi-
cate 10 the Senate, if not Incompatible with
the public interest the dispatches from MAJ.
Anderson 10 the War Department during the
time he has been in command Of Fort Sumter.
Mr.. Howe resumed his speech In Opposi-
ton TO Mr.. Douglass resolutions, calling for
information relative to the Southern forts,
&c. He showed the difficulties of procuring
amendments to the Constitution, which
Douglas advocated as a remedy for the
troubles, and argued that the recognition of
the seeded States would not produce peace,
and the issue is between loyal citizens and
those who defy the authorities of the Gov
eminent. He said the Unionists in the se-
coded States were borne down by tyranny.
from which they ought to be relieved. He
asked Douglas TO unite with him and the
Republicans in q declaration that while We
do not propose to make war, we do not
intend war shall be made on as.
Mr.. Douglas said if the Wa Department
was not in possession Of the information this
resolution calls for, no harm could result
from such an answer. He apprehended that
this information would tend to allay public
excitement. He supposed there was no
danger as to Fort Sumter, but desired to
know whether Fort Pickens would be held
merely for irritation. He wanted to fud
out whether we are to have peace OF war.
He believed the policy to be peace. The
threat to collect revenue and blockade the
ports without legal authority was a threat to
violate the Constitution. Was it wise to de-
lude the people into the belief that the Ad-
ministration was going to do what the Con-
stitutiondoes not permit
Mr.. Douglas said that he e~ndeavored, dur.
ing the last session, when the Republicans
were rushing through a bill TO destroy the
revenue, to prevent it, bat they would not
listen 10 the warning, and he spprehended
that an extra session would be called to undo
part of what was recklessly and unusually
done.
1t seemed impossible for the Republicans
to make speeches without ~impugning his
motives or assailing his character.
Howe said he had opposed the amend
ments be proposed with a view of ~insuring
safety and equality, and restoring peace,
unity and fraternity to the whole country.
Mr.. Clark, ~interrupting, said he was one
who chose to stand by the Constitution as
it is, believing it better than entertaining
compromises.
MIR. Douglas-"No doubt the Senator en-
tertained that opinion even if disunion was
the inevitable consequence, and would prefer
war W dmtnUu6uIS W Ju6 OOuSLltullOu.
Mr.. CLARK said he could judge of the
amendments only when proposed, and dep
recated war.
Mr.. Douglas-'Yet when the question of
war or amendments was proposed, he I'M
derstood Mr.. Clark to be against all COM
promises"
Mr.. Clark distinctly believed he could
| stand on the Constitution better than any
thing else, and avoid war by taking that
nncitiop Tho TINA wau not for dfofanH
when the laws would be enforced all over
the Union without the use of the bayonet.
Mr.. Douglas-"Still no one denies that
even States have expelled Federal au-
thority."
Mr.. Clark inquired whether the Postofice
Department did not run mails through those
States.
Mr.. Douglas believed that they did, but
with the consent of those States. But letters
might be opened without punishment.
Mr., Clark inquired if the revenue could
not be collected on shipboard, if Congress
clothed the President with power.
Mr.. Douglas supposed they could, but he
had been speaking of laws as they are. He
regarded this as an admission that the Re-
publicsns did not mean to collect revenue
until the laws were changed.
Mr.. Clark wished Mr.. Douglas to take the
admission as including anybody but him
self.
Mr.. Douglas thought the admission so
clear hat he might include all the Repub-
licans in it, and said the triumphs of the
Republicans had brought disunion, and God
only knows what consequences were to grow
out of it.
Mr.. Howe asked whether he understood
that the election of Lincoln instead of some
body else had caused a dissolution of the
Union2
Mr.. Douglas said if he had succeeded in
defeating the Republicans, thereby rendering
certain that their policy would not be car
ried out, the Southern people would have
rested in security, and the Union would not
have been dissolved.
Mr.. Howe inquired, "What policy p"
Mr.. Douglas-"Sectional policy, because
the Republicans make war on slavery as a
great political and moral evil"
Mr.. Howe denied that the Republicans
were a sectional party.
Mr.. Douglas said the Republican Party is
based on hostility to slavery. He replied to
Mr.. BreckiDridge's argument that under the
law as it now stands. as to every Territory,
without exception, a man can remove thither
with his slave property on equal terms with
other property The Republicans, in or.
gapizing Governments for Nevada, Colorado
and Dacotah at the last session, did what
they had not done for twelve years before,
and did what they for so long had abused
him (Douglas) for wanting to do. They did
it from a sense of justice when they got the
majority. The only motive he had for being
President was to carry out that policy.
He gave the Republicans credit for adopt
ing it after defeating him. The Senator
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Wilmot) had ar
rived here in time to see the Republicans re-
pudiate the Wilmot Proviso, reject the cor.
ner-stone of the temple and come up to nom
intervention and popular sovereignty.
Mr.. Howe, in the course of the debate,
wished to know if Mr.. Douglass principles
would have saved the Union, and if the Re.
publicans have adopted them, why was there
not peace2
Mr.. Douglas replied, because the Repub.
licans would not acknowledge it, and kept
the people in the dark.
Mr.. Breckenridge wished to reply to Mr..
Douglas, but the Senate went into Execu-
sive session and adjourned.