Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-08
rhirty-sixth Congress second session.

MONDAY. Dec. 31-In the United States Sen
ate, to-day, Mr.. Crittenden gave notice of BIZ
resolution for referring his plan OF Oompromlst
to direct vote of the people, and it was made
the special order for Wednesday. Senator Doug
las also has the floor for that day, and will give
his views upon the crisis. Senator Benjamin
made an argument on the right of secession, de.
clared disunion inevitable, and re-atfirmed hi
belief that peaceable secession was impossible
The close of bis speech was followed by mingled
applause and Kisses from the galleries, whict
were finally cleared by order OF the Vice Presi
dent.
The House spent the day in quarrelling over
resolutions of inquiry as to the Charleston Forts
and what measures the President had taken to
garrison them During the confusion, resolu-
ton proposed by Mr.. Pryor, declaring the coer-
cion of State to be impracticable and subver-
sive Of republican liberty being under considera-
ton, an animated colloquy took place between
Mr.. Barksdale, of Mississippi, and Mr.. McCler-
nand, of Illinois, both Democrats, but widely
differing upon this subject. Both Houses ad-
iourned over until Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 2.-Oongress reassembled
to-day, but the expected Message from the Pres
ident was not received. In the Senate Mr.. Ba-
ker, of Oregon, made his first Senatorial effort
His speech was defence of the Republican party
and reply to the secession theories of Mr.. Ben
iamin, of Louisiana. Senator Davis offered res
olutions directing the President to withdraw the
Federal forces when desired by the Convention
or Legislature of any State, and also recognizing
the right of States to keep troops and ships OF
war.
The House was engaged all day in Parlia-
mentary struggle over resolution offered by Mr..
Davis, of Indiana, on Monday week, instructiDg
the Judiciary Committee to inquire and report il
any legislation had become necessary in conse-
quence Of the secession of South Carolina. Mr..
Davis withdrew the resolution under the decis-
ion of the Speaker that he had q right to do so.
On this decision an appeal was taken. A strug-
gle ensued to fight off the vote on this appeal,
and the House finally adjourned with the under
standing that the vote should be permitted with
out further obstruction this morning. III
THURSDAY, Jan. 3.-Mr. Crittenden, in the
United States Senate, to-day. submitted his res
olutions making provision for referring to the
people the question of amending the Constitution
so as to re-establish the Missouri Compromise
line. He briefly addressed the Senate on, the
subject, expressing the opinion that the people
of the country were still equal TO the preserva-
tion of their liberties. Mr.. Baker, of Oregon,
then concluded his speech. He expressed a will
lingness to settle the question by dividing the
existing Territories, and admitting them as free
and slave States. Mr.. Douglas succeeded and
spoke for nearly two hours. He urged concilia-
ton and compromise. He condemned secession
but strongly deprecated coercion. He supported
Mr. Crittendeh's plan of compromise, and closed
with an eloquent appeal for the Union, which
brought applause from the galleries. The Sen
ate adjourned until Saturday.
The House did nothing OF Importance and at
an early hour adjourned over until Monday.
SATURDAY, Jan. 5.-The United States Senate
on Saturday was engaged with the Pacific Rail-
road bill, but did not come to test vote upon
it. The Senate again refused to 60 into Execu-
tive session. The House was not in session.