Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-02-01
FROM WASHINGTON.

Senators Seceding-d Sharp Joke-hdnsds. .
On Monday eight Senators, representing
four seeding States retired from the Senate .
There were brief speeches on the occasion,
and Senators Of all parties exchanged kind
farewell greetings But one Senator must
have his Joke. The best days work ever
done by the Senate, said he 1--WE have cast
out eight devils :" On the same day the .
Kansas bill was passed, with amendment T.
making Kansas a judicial district This will
give iudgeship to be filed by President Blu
chanan and there is an apprehension that it
will be filled by the present territorial judge,
John Petit, who has the reputation Of a good
lawyer and bad man. 1t is doubtful wheth
er his nomination would be concurred in by
the Senate. The action Of the House on the
amendment is not yet settled upon.
The Onion Debate Opened n the House.
The week opened with five States profess
edly out of the Union, and yet not entirely
out South Csrolina has submitted to the
post office laws; Georgia submits to both
revenue and post office laws Mississippi has
no port, and submits TO the post office laws
Evidently, therefore the seeding States see
tina, it is not for their interest to sever utter
ly the cord that binds them to the Union
Florida and Alabama are yet to act on these
points, and think they will hardly go be-
You'd the line of policy adopted by Georgia.
Moreover. the secessonsts here dread the ef-
feet of a resort to arms, and have telegraphed
to the South, begging that no assault be made
upon the forts now occupied by the United
States North Carolina Virginia Maryland,
Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri are pro-
ceeding deliberately, and will consult the will
Of the people but doubtless even these con-
template making demand upon the North
for concessions before the Attn of March Sew
eral forts are in the hands of the seceders; all
the others are to be held and defended by the
L. s.; and the capital is to be guarded by U.
S. troops and the militia of the District In
this condition of things the committee of thir-
ty-three presented its propositions for the
ton Of the House and by way of amend
ments, every proposition of compromise or
concession will be urged. The debate was
opened by Mr.. Corwin of Ohio, for the prop
ostions Of the majority Of the committee
Mr.. Millson of Virginia followed and his
speech was so much for the Union and so
moderate in temper, that Kentuckian char
aoterizes the efforts of Corwin and Millson as
two speeches on the same side Mr.. Brig
ham Of Ohio followed on Tuesday, against all
compromise and for the execution of the laws;
onl ,ovt ,,n had from, Mr. Clorens oc Viz
ginia a strong Union speech, especially dis
tasteful to the Southern members and espe-
cialy gratifying to the Northern. On We'd
nesday, Messrs. Etheridge of Tennessee and
Lovejoy of Illinois followed in capital speech
es--Etheridge for the Union and concession,
but for ihe Union any how, and Lovejoy a
gainst compromise OF concession and for the
Union | have not attempted to give the
spirit Of these speeches, for the telegraph has
anticipated me but l have stated the line
of the discussion, because it shows you that
thus far there has not been a secession note.
To-day Thursday the other side opens its
batteries but their force is materially reduc-
ed the House is orderly and quiet to an unu-
sual degree, and even violent language will
not disturb the peace, though Mr.. Rust has
just made very warlike denomination to-
wards Mr.. Dunn Of Indiana, and warke
speech generally.
More Withdrawals.
On Monday the Alabama delegation with.
drew from the House, Mr.. Cobb excepted, as
think have already stated. Yesterday the
Georgia delegation withdrew, with the excep-
ton Of Mr.. Hill Union who resigned his seat
The Cabinet.
Mr.. Holt has been confirmed by the Senate
as Secretary of War by very strong vote
There is no longer any doubt about the Sen.
ate the withdrawal of the secessionists ha,
shorn that body Of its former power for mis-
chief
Review.
Upon review Of the changes hereof tn,
position Of the Government, of the seeding
States and Of the border states-it seems Il
me that there is far less probability Of and ia
less excuse for any compromise by Congress
than at any period since the secession of Soutl
Carolina. | have repeatedly said that thu
South has had it in its power to make an,
congressional act Of compromise against U
nited Republican vote. That power is gone
There can be no compromise without divis
ION of the Republican party, lit divides up
on a compromise that will satisfy the Sout
in the present state Of feeling it will sacrifC
the Republican creed. That would be suicide
1t will not be done. If it divides upon any
thing less or agrees to anything less, it wi
be in vain. My impression is that the vol
upon the resolutions Of the Committee
Thirty-three will reflect the sentiment
home the border States tending somewhi
60 concessions, and the Northern States in Il
main against concessions. cannot bee pc
siblty Of a two-thrds vote on the constit