The national Republican., 1861-02-22
THIRTY, Y,S1XTH CONGRESS,
SECOND SESSION.
Thursday, FebruarR q, 1861.

FosbeuutHs enu OtneTbs Vi
Mr.. Bright, from the Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds, submitted report in
relation to the property over which it is pro.
&c. which was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Bragg presented the credentials of Hon.
Thomas l.. Chngman, Senator elect from North
Carolina from the 4th Of March next.
The Senate then took up Mr.. Hale's resolu.
ton, providing for the discontinuance Of pos
tai service wherever it is interfered with.
M. Hunter said, that II those States were
within the Union, the Government had no pow.
er to deprive them Of their right under the Con-
Stitution to have mail facilities. He disliked
too, the word "insurrection." 1t looked to CO..
erciou, and was the first step to war and un.
mitigated horrors. If reconstruction could
not be made, the best step was to have peace.
able separation. II that was understood to-day,
commerce and trade would resume its regular
channels, and the country be again prosperous.
Mr.. Doolttle said this was not coercive
measure, but measure Of peace.
Mr.. Hunter was glad to learn that the Sena.
tor from Wisconsin did not vote for this bill as
q coercive measure. He hoped no party would
commit itself 10 coercion, but if such was not
tie intention, he saw no need Of the bill.
Mr.. Powell thought that this bill was intend.
ed to compel the postmasters of the slavehold-
ing States TO distribute incendiary publications
or else leave the mail service. -
Mr.. Fessenden defended the policy Of the
bill. The Southern Senators wished to make
that side of the Chamber acknowledge the
lswfulness Of secession.
Mr.. Douglas thought the measure one Of
peace, but believed that offensive terms should
be stricken out. He believed that there were
h., x1n- a.
Southern side of the Chamber. He believed
there was q plot to break up the Union, under
pfetence of preserving it.
Wade, Doolittle, Green, aud others, until one
o'clock, when, without taking any question, the
Senate went into executive session.
After the doors were opened, the Senate took
up the miscellaneous appropriation bill, and
considered amendments until FIVE clock, it be-
ing understood that the evening session would
be devoted to political discussion, and that
speeches would be made by Messrs. Wilson and
Lane.
Mr.. Dawes, from the select committee to
which was referred the Presidents special mes.
sage of the eighth Of January, made report
on the subject Of the navy, saying that the de-.
fence of the Atlantic coast has been wholly
neglected, while state of lawlessness existed.
The committee conclude by offering the follow
ing resolution:
Resolped, That the Secretary of the Navy, in
accepting without delay or inquiry the resigna.
ton Of officers Of the navy, who were in arms
against tho Government when rendering the
same, and Of those who sought to resign that
they might be relieved from the restraint i'm.
posed by their commissions upon engaging in
hostility to the constituted authorities of the
nation, has committed grave error, highly
prejudicial to the discipline of the service, and
injurious to the honor and efficiency of the
navy, for which he deserves the censure Of the
House.
Mr.. Branch presented the views of the mi
nority Of the committee. Mr.. John Cochrane
also dissents from the report Of the majority.
Mr.. Dawes said he would ask for vote on
the resolution on Monday OR Tuesday.
The House resumed the consideration Of the
Affairs, authorizing the President to accept the
against the authority of the United States.
Mr.. Bocock, of Virginia, resumed his re-.
marks from yesterday, in opposition to the bill.
If it were passed, he had no authority to say
what the border slave States will do. But he
ventured to predict that in the course of sixty
days, all of them, with one or two exceptions,
would be found standing with the seeded
States. He knew that Virginia stands com.
mitted by her declarations, and her honor and
interests require that she should resist the at.
tempted aggression on the Southern States.
He denounced the bill in the name OF the Con-
stitution which it violated-in the name of
common country-in the name of his constitu.
ents, and in the name of humanity. He de-.
nounced and execrated the bill.
Mr.. Howard, in reply, regarded such appeals
as mere claptrap, intended to influence the
Virginia Convention to break up the Govern.
meat. Why does not the House let the sece.
ded States 60? it was asked. Why, because
they have no power to let any State 90. 1t is
their duty to support the Constitution and to
conserve the Government. He stood here un.
der the oath to support the Constitution. He
made no appeal to any man to violate that
oath, and wished to hear none from any quar-.
ter. He did not believe the bill confers any
additional powers on the President. If it has
any value, it is merely because it is explana-
tory Of existing laws. He referred to the seiz.
ure Of. forts, &C., and contended that this cry of
coercion was merely absurd. He supposed
there would be no war, if the g Government was
allowed quietly and peaceably to go to pieces.
power to maintain its existence; and the Gov
ernment which has not power to make defence,
is no Government at all.
On motion of Mr.. Stanton, the further con.
sideration of the bill was postponed till Monday.
The House took up the report Of the select
committee Of thirty
Mr.. Barrett, Of Missouri, made speech
against the Republican party; and in the
course of his remarks protested against the
secession of Southern States, saying it was
cruel to those on the border. They ought to
have remained, and fought their battle Of right
in the Union.
The House proceeded to the consideration
Of the Washington and Oregon war debt bill.
An amendment was made, but no final ques.
ton taken.
The House adjourned till Saturday.
The Virginia Republicans are requested to
roaat nj No 363 pennavlvapia ovapua hath