The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-16
UNITED MATES SENlTE..SPECIAL SESSIOs
WAsHiHGroN, March l5.-Mr. MASON offered the
following nreamhla and resolutions:

~.
WAsHiNGroN, March l5.-Mr. MASON offered the
olluwing preamble and resolutions:
WHEREAS The presence of military force concentrated
nd permanently quartered at the Government
departure from all former usage OF the Government and
dangerous to the rights and liberties Of the peoples there
ore,
Resolred That the President inform the Senate what
lumber of troops quartered in this city, the respec
i've of the and the purposes for which they
we're brought here; and further
Resored, That he be requested inform the Senate
when the said troops to be withdrawn and if they are
to BE- withdrawn for what purpose they are maintain
ed here and whether is his purpose to increase the said
force, and to what extent.
Mr.. Douglas resolution was then taken up--
Mr.. CLARK suggested an amendment to strike out
all after the words Omitted States" as follows: |
"And by what number of men each is garrisoned |
and held. And whether renforcements are neces-
sary to retain the same; and if so, whether the
listing laws, to supply such Heterogeneous within
such time the eXgencies and necessities of the case
may demand and whether the defence and protection
the United States and their interests, make it necessary
and wise to retain military possession of such forts,
places and other property except at Key West and
ugas and to capture and reoccupy such others the
United States have been deprived Of by seizure
render, for any other purpose, and with any
other end.n
Mr.. DOUGLAS said he could not accede to the
amendment. 1t was important to the peace of the
country that the resolution should be answered, as
in both sections the inaugural is construed indi-
cative of policy. If the apprehension is al.
lowed TO Tlpen into conviction that the admins
tratiOn mediate policy to reduce the seeded
States by military force, he feared we would have
the issue precptated upon US in shorter time than
we imagine He did not believe the policy of the
administration was war. This construction is dis
puted on the Democratic side, while the Repub-
remain mute-silent-neither asserting nor
dissenting from his interpr eaten. In this state of
the case, for the purpose of quieting the apprehen
sion of the country, that the administration does
not mediate war, and, secondly, that there is no
means of PROSECUTING the war even if Mr. Lincoln
desired to do SC, he Mr. Douglass had broug hit in his
resolution for the purpose of obtaining information
important to be known, but an attempt was made
to prevent its consideration. 1t was suggested that
discussion, if not improper, would be INJURIOUS
But what bad effects could result if it was neces-
sary to have the information desired? If the policy
of the administration be peace, it will relieve
existing apprehensions, restore confidence, and
cause rejoicngs thrnug bout the length and breadth
of the land. If, the contrary, the policy be war;
it is due to the people Of the country that the fact
should be known. He repeated that Mr.. Lincoln
does not mediate war. Certain he that under
existing laws the President cannot consistently with
his oath do anything to produce collision between
the seeding States and the Federal Government.
In the first place. he has no power under the exist
ing laws to collect the revenue on shipboard sug
gesed by partisan newspapers. The law stands
Just as it did when Jackson called on Congress for
additional legislation to collect the revenues at the
port of Charleston. He had no power to order the
collection anywhere else than in those places desg
mated by law. Congress passed the act well known
to the country as the f5rce bill. 1t passed in
| March, 1888, and expired at the end of the next
session, by express limitation. What was and is
true to Charleston, is true as to all the other
ports of the seeded States There was, therefore,
no danger of collision, unless as Senators suppose
the President is going to violate the laws and do
that which is forbidden. With regard to blockad-
| ing, there more authority to blockade New
Orleans Charleston other of the ports in the
| seeding States, than New Y ork or Chicago. They
had been told that the President was going to en-
| force the laws in the seeding States. How? By
| calling out the militia and the army and navy :?
| But the President could not employ them without
authority of law. These and the prece ding points
| Mr.. Douglas proceeded to argue, saying:
Then what cause was there for apprehsion that the
President is going to pursue war policy, unless he
shall call Congress together for that purpose? He
took it for granted that the means for making war,
to collect the revenue retake and possess the
forts enforce the laws within the seeding States
will not be conferred by Congress. He came to this
conclusion from the fact that, while the Presidents
political friends had the power to cothe him with
these means for the last six weeks, they declined
doing so.--Mr. FESSENDEN inquired: Was
| there single day during the last Congress when
the Republicans had majority?-Mr. DOUGLAS
| replied that be chose to answer the question in his
own way, AMI repeated that the Republicans had the
power to pass such measures through both Houses
lie believed they had the majority in of
the absence of Messrs. Pugh and Salisbury and the
two Senators from Texas would not have voted
against them One of them stated. The House had
power to pass the force bill, but postponed it from
time to time until the President elect reached here
and then put to sleep at once, and never allowed
it the breath of life. The Senate found difficulty
in passing a law authorizing the Postmaster Gen
eral to suspend the mails when obstructed in the
seeding States. If it be the policy of the
administration to use the war power to col
llect the revenue, blockade ports and recapture
forts, and execute the laws in the seeding
States, why not say so? He (Mr. DouglaS) had
taken his position as a Union man and friend of
md ha nod yiv wrO iDtn tatin
to the inaugural, why not let us have the Pres-
dents answer? Why were the Republicans thus
sensitive, if he did not give a correct inter-
probation of the inaugural? No Senator bad
ventured to deny his Interpretation. No one had
ventured to say the Presidents policy was not
peace He ventured to say that author
lied to contradict him these points Why did
the Republicans remain silent? Business is par
TALLY suspended, commerce is destroyed and bank
ruptcy staring us in the face! One word from the
White House would many from ruin. One
word from the White House would gladden. every
part of the land. Let that word be spoken and let
the word be Peace, and there will be such shout
of joy resounding through this country as has not
been heard since the Declaration of Independence
There were other reasons why this important word
should be spoken, and in this connection he men
toned the fact that the elections are coming
on, and in choosing members OF Congress the
people have right to know whether
the policy is peace or war. The States
in whose limits the forts are located are entitled
to hold them, unless there is something peculiar
which requires them to be possessed for national
purposes. 1t so happens to the latter, with the
forts at Tortugas. They essential without ref
erence TO the seeded States 1t was idle to endea-
vor to avoid the question 1t is longer as to the
collection of the revenue or taking care of public
property. The question is, whether are going
to reduce the Southern Confederacy to subsection
or not. He presumed Senators are convinced by
this time that that means war. We cannot deny
that there is a Southern Confederacy de facto in
existence, with its capital at Montgomery
We might regret it. He did most o.
foundly; but he could not deny the fact,
painfully notifying as it is. But if the
Republicans, after meeting in caucus, could not 81.
lence Others, they kepts themselves they
divided into compromisers and on-cOmpromiserS
Disunion and Union Republicans, war and peace
Republicans. FESSENDEN inquired wheth-
the Senator meant to intimate that the Republi-
cans had in caucus resolved to keep sent--Mr.
DOUGLAS replied that he did not mean to init
mate He said frankly lie heard it rumored, and
supposed it to be true.--Mr. FESSENDEN said
it was untrue from beginning to end.-Mr.
DOUGLAS-But it comes from your side of the
house. At any rate, you are silent there
silent when the country may be wrecked on mis-.
apprehension as to the policy of the admnstra-
ton. He desired to know whether the administra-
ton meant peace or war. If war was designed it
will require a large army. Rumor says that esti-
mates have already been made, and that t,vo hun
dred and fifty thousand men would be required,
which will involve an expenditure of S3l6, 600 900
annually. Remember, the men to be called for in
the eigh teen free States are to fight those in the
fifteen slave States. Are prepared for this line
of policy? Silence is criminal when we are on the
eve of events like these. His opinion was, we
must choose promptly one of three lines of poll |
CIV. First, the restoration and preservation
of the Union by such amendments to the
Constitution as will insure domestic tranquility,
safety and the equality of all the States. and thus
restore peace, unity and fraternity to the whole
country. Secondy-A peaceful dissolution of the |
Union by recognizing the independence of these |
States, as they refuse to remain in the Union |
without such constitutional amendments as will |
secure their rights and the establishment of lib |
eral system of commerce and social intercourse |
with them by treaties OF commerce and amty;and, |
Thirdly-War with a view to their subjug alton, |
and military occupation of those States which have
seeded and may secede from the Union. The |
sooner the choice is made the better for |
you, and for every friend of liberty and con-
stitutional government throughout the world. The |
first proposition is the best, and the last is the
Vorst. Mr.. Douglas proceeded to argue in favor of
the first proposition, saying, that if proper amend
ments be made to the Constitution, the border
States will remain with US, and the Gulf States
will return. He congratulated the Republicans
that in organizing governments for Nevada, Colo
RADIO and Dacota, they omitted the Wmot proviso
In thus abandoning their aggressive policy in the
Territories, they had come over to him. HE
you with kindness. Laughter |
welcome you l forgive you all acts of unkindness,
and insults, and ISLANDERS heaped on nv devoted
head. | forgive you all for this one
act of devotion to your country. 1t is our duty to
adopt such amendments to the Constitution as will
insure domestic tranquility and give equality to
all the States of the Union. Do this, and the Union
will be restored and preserved to all generations
MIR. WILSON said the Senator from Illinois
was man of anxiety. Ten days ago this admins
MACPHERSON in the country. The President de-
livered patriotic, kind and genial inaupural adj