The Van Buren press., 1861-03-20

Mr. Douglas advocated his resolution. He
did NOT believe the policy Of the admins
tration was war. The instruction Of the
inapgural. however. was disputed. by some.
ON his side, while Republicans were silent,
without asserting or dissenting from his
Interpretation. The policy OF the admins
tration being peace. he desired to relieve the
apprehensions of the country by obtaining
. reply to his resolution, which he believed
would give quiet and restose good feelings
among the different sections of the country.
He gave his reasons why Lincoln does not
mediate war, among which were that he
had no power to collect revenue in scceed-
ing States. nor could he call out the militia
unless to aid. as q posse consisafxs. fede-
raj officer. Ii ne designed taking the forts
DC, an army of $3.50, 900 men would be
necessary. costing $3.50. .O00. 600 annually
In conclusion. he advocated such amend
ments to the Constitution as would hold the
Border States, and this would secure q re-
union of all. He congratulated the Repub-
licans that they had practically abandoned
the prohibition Of slavery in the Territories
and admitted the popular sovereignty doc.
trine in the formation of governments for
Colorado. Dacotah and Nevada.
Dir. Wilson said AIr. Douglas was a man
Of anxiety the President had scarcely de-
livered his kind and genial inaugural when
the Senator from Illinois stepped forth to
give this Interpretation bat the Senator
was not content to stand even on his own
Interpretation of the inaugural. He was
not content that the President and Cabinet
which had Just taken possession of gov
ernment and country in ruins, should have
time enough to cast about and see what
principle and patriotism require to be done
but he rushed into this chamber and brought
forward resolution, asking the admins
tration to declare to tho country what it in
tends to do. The admistration should make
known its policy through gentlemen in
whom it had confidence.
Dir. douglas said he could pardon the
petulance Of the Senator, who only showed
that he was hurt he talked about struttine
when it was that Senator's purpose to make
a personal assault on him. He referred to
Wilson as belonging to the war wing Of
the Republicans.
MIR. Fessenden, called Douglas attention
to the fact that he said the Senator from
Maine. instead Of Massachusetts,.
Mr.. Douglas said he was mistaken he
did not refer to the Senator from Maine
his words were from whatever quarter they
came.
MIR. Fessenden replied his remarks were
understood as he Fessenden had said.
My. Douglas said, some cannot under
stand the truth when it is told. Courtes,
requires the Senator to accept this explana
tion. The Senator attached moro import
n IN him, off <h>n l.
spectacle. debates very well, but he shonle
not think allusion was made to him as ther,
were other people than himself.
Mr. Fessenden thought Mr.. Douglas hat
merely made slip of the tongue in sayins
Senator from Maine.
MIR. Douglas said, when 1 make correc
ton, the Senator is bound to accept it. Yo,
don't admit because / say the statement i.
false, and the Senator ought to know it.
Mr. Fessenden said the Senator was de
termined on a personal quarrel. He could
not admit Mr.. Douglas to be a gentleman a,
he had used ungentiemanly language H,
then proceeded to speak of Douglas ant
showed why the resolution ought not to pass
The tendency and design of Douglas speecl
was to induce the belief that the countr,
was about being plunged into war by al
act of the Administration, and to infam,
suspicious Of the people. He made it
rule in this chamber, to insult no man O.
use offensive language. He did not know
whether Douglas held the code OF honor
Mr.. Douglas said that Fessenden wonlt
be informed when he made the inquiry il
| the proper way.
MIR. Fessenden replied that Sfr. Douglas
courage was we'll known; but he need no
be fearful that he would send him q chal
lenge, or something to that effect. There
was further colloquy.
MIR. Hale said he recognized portion o.
the censure of Dous las as intended for him
self. He found already prepared for him q
little speech to be found in an old book
10th chapter. Absalom said moreover
Oh. that were made judge in the land
that every man that hath any suit or cause
might come unto me and | would do him
justice" Laughter This speech he pre.
ferred to his crude ideas,
Mr.. Douglas-That question would have
great weight, only it shows it was read to
avoid argument. Get your quotations in
advance am ready to meet you. The
Senator from Massachusetts, led of with a
miserable personal attack the Senator
from Maine followed. and the Senator from
New Hampshire came in with what he call
ed . written speech. fexpect to give them
some trouble during this session. L know
their schemes. do not mean they shall break
up this Union, and draw the country into
war. Applause in the galleries.)
A Senator suggested that the galleries be
cleared.
Mr. Douglas-As the galleries will not
not be quiet. l will say NO more. He then
abruptly took his seat.
Alter an executive session. the Senate
adjourned.
EVENING REPORT.
There is yet no official information of the
discrimination to evacnate Fort Sumter.
a dispatch from Washington saws great
weight is attached. in political circles. to
the declaration of Fessenden in the Senate.
that the Administration contemplated q
policy Of peace. and would exercise no an
tnority not strictly in accordanee with law
aud not until ample time had been taken
tor the examination of the question in sll
its bearings.
The Herald's correspondence says men,
Der OF the Virginia Convention, called ON
the President to-day. who sssured him that
no vessels would be sent South with hostile
intentions. and there would be NOTHING
done in regard to the affairs Of the South
tA~ L.