Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-03-01
Mr.. Edgarton objected.

Mr.. Edgarton objected.
Mr.. Kellogg was surprised that any one
should be unwilling to have an expression of
he people, while we arc being hurried into
he calamities of civil war, and the disruption
If the Government is threatened.
Mr.. Edgarton replied that the gentleman
Gould present the petition under the rules.
Mr.. Davis, of Indiana, presented petition
rom that State, signed by men of all parties,
n favor of the Crittenden proposition.
The Speaker presented the proceedings and
resolutions of the Pennsylvania Democracy.
The House took up the Volunteer bill.
Mr.. Howard, of Michigan, resumed his
in favor of which he argued it mere
Iy gave construction to the law already in
execution. 1t was the duty of Congress to
put in the hands Of the President the means
OF performing his duty and to point out the
mode in which he should do it. They could
not be released from the obligation. He re-
peated the President should have the power
to execute the Constitution in all its parts.
The highest duty of q government, which
dates far anterior to all Constitutions, is to
preserve its own existence
Mr.. Bigler said it was the purpose of the
dominent party plainly, manifestly, and
openly avowed, to drive through the bill by
the pressure of an irrepressible rush. As
this was foregone conclusion he hoped it
would pass at once, to the end that the peo-
pie of Virginia and the South may be arous-
ed to the perils which menace their destruc-
ton. He de6antly challenged them to assume
the hostility corresponding with their bloody
designs.
Mr.. Curtis said that Mr.. Pryor had in.
dulged in q shade of declaration and denun-
Citations similar to that of his colleague, Mr..
Bocock. The Republicans had been charged
with meditating coercion when evidently
they had done nothing having such bearing.
Gentlemen expressed the hope that the bill
would speedily pass, for the purpose Of
arousing Virginia and the South. He did
not speak to reason, to the bill or to Congress,
but to the Convention Of Virginia and to the
Assembly of the South who are taking action
against his mother country. The gentle.
mans own statement that Confederacy ex-
lists within the limits of the United States.
should induce US to draw around US all the
means OF power we can command. He con.
tended there was nothing unconstitutional
in the bill which only extended the provis-
ions of existing laws.
MIR. Burnett asked whether it was the pur.
pose of the Republicans, under this bill, to
reinforce the forts in the seeding states, now
held by the federal government, and to recap
ture the forts taken therein unless thew shall
be surrendered
Mr. Curtis replied that it was his purpose
to support the constitution as it is until some
power be vested in him to do otherwise. He
had sworn to support the constitution and
must do so. 1t may not be necessary to re-
inforce those forts in the present exasperated
state of the public mind. He recognised
| rebellion and civil war as existing in the
south. He would resort to all honorable
means to. avoid a conflict Of arms, and did
| not believe it necessary to move an army
| thlther until the people carry their HOSTILE
ties against the United States.
Mr. Burnett, though not satisfied with the
| answer, said he must accept it. He asked
| another question: In executing and entorc-
ing the laws, do you hold it necessary in
doing SO to reinforce the southern forts in
possession of the federal government and to
recapture the property
Mr.. Curti.s said he was not going to saw.
in open session and in public, what it msy
| be the duty OF his country to do. He would
| only speak of designs and measures in seer ct
session, if there were hostile purposes.
Mr.. Simns, in his seat, said murder"
Mir. Curtiss, in the course of his reply.
said that murder came from the other side.
The acts OF assassinations were not from tho
Republicans. The murderors axe against
the government was welded by persons
| sku'kiDg in the Executive Chamber and Sem
ate of the United States, striking their own
brethren.
MIR. Bennett spoke against the bill, and ia
favor of the recognition of the fact of tho
existence OF separate government, in the
seeded States. In arraigning the Republi-
cans, he said they had rejected all PROPOSE
tons from the Border States, and to accept
less than that would be dishonorable.
Mr.. Corwin moved to postpone the bill to
Thursday.
Mr.. staunton said such postponement
would be fatal TO the bill, as the Senate
who'd not have time to act on it.
The motion prevaled-1OO against "a.
Mr.. Bouligny, before voting, said 'Thisis
the most outrageous bill ever introduced into
Congress. Shame On the m an who brought
it here'
Mr.. Grow moved to consider the Terrific.
rial business.
The Speaker said the report of the Com.
mittee of Thirty'three had precedence
Mr.. Grow moved to postpone the latter
till to. morrow.
Mr. Bingham moved to postpone until Sat-
urday
The ayes and nays were ordered.
MI hickman rose to question before the
House commenced voting.
Mr. Sickles called him to order.
The latter was called to order by the Re.
publicans. A scene of confusion ensued.
during which Mr. Hickman said he would not
be put down BY word from such mouth
as Sickles'. The latter responded: Let the
gentleman be put down by the rules of tho
House. He had called him to order for con.
duct unbecoming in debate.
Calls Of order from the Republicans.
MIR Adrian said such proceedings were
He loudly called order.
A colloquy between Messrs. Hickman and
slckles continued amid the confusion. The
ormer at last moved to postpone the report
u the Committee of Thirty three till Monday.
Rejected-56 against 1872
motion to postpone till Saturday was
ost-56 against lis; and that to postpone
ill tomorrow, II against 1l2.
The report was now before the House
Mr.. Corwin spoke, briefly.
Nearly an hour was consumed on points
order, motions to adjourn, &c.
Mr.. Corwin moved to postpone voting on
ne first resolution in order to consider that
roposing an amendment to tie Constitution.
disagreed to.
Adjourned at o'clock.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 81.
SENATE. - MIR. Crittenden presented
lumber ofpetitions for the preservation of
e Union.
Messrs Trumbull and Wilson presented
'titions against compromise.
M. Sumner pr esented petitions of citizens
Pennsylvania for the repeal of all laws fer
frying the mails on Sunday; also, one for
e repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law.
MIR. Bigler presented petitions in favor of
. Crittenden resolutions, and others in