Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-01-23
WASHINGTON, Jan. %,


'- SENATE.
Mr.. Salisbury presented resolutions from
the Legislature Of Delaware, directing the
Representative and Senator'S TO use their
best efforts for the passage Of the Criuen.
den resolutions, or some other means OF
saving the Union. Ordered 70 beHprinted
Mr.. Bigler presented petitions asking fol
the passage Of the Crittenden resolutionsi
also the proceedings Of a certain meeting
il Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Fitch moved that the Vice President
be authorized to fill vacancies in the com
mittees.
The Vice President said there vas nc
record in the Journal of the absence Of any
Senators, and he had no notification Of the
fact, and the names were still called on the
roll. He would like the Senate to instruct
as 70 whether he should recognize their
action.
Mr.. Fitch suggested that if there we're
vaoapoies in any committee, the chairman
of the committee might report the absence,
so far as the committees we're concerned.
Mr.. Hale thought that was the proper
way.
Mr.. Douglas said there seemed to be no
I trouble. We have been notified that certain
Senators have retired, and do not intend to
be here again this session; hence there are
vacancies. Their taking leave has nothing
to do with the question whether the States
are out of the Union or not.
Mr.. Trumbull thought his colleague was
right He thought their names should be
stricken from the roll, and be considered
Senators no longer.
MIR. Wilson did not understand that these
Senator's had resigned, as those from South
Carolina had done. We could recognize
them as temporarily absent but he consid-
cred them members Of the Senate yet.
Mr.. salisbury asked, if the Senators
should come back, could any power prevent
their vOtingP
Mr.. BENJAMIN contended that the Journal
should at least record the fact that the SEN
ators declared that their State had seeded,
and that they had withdrawn.
Mr.. Seward said it would be doing dis
courtesy if we put the fact on record with
out also putting the reasons Of the Senators.
He was entirely opposed to making any
entry. The least said is soonest mended.
He was for leaving seats for these Senators
to resume in their own good time, and he
hoped the time would not be long before
they resumed them.
Mr.. Fessenden held most decidedly that
no State had a right to secede, but the fact
is, they did not resign, no matter whether
their reasons we're valid or not.
Mr. Hunter thought the Senators were
subject to the call Of the Senate, and the
only reason for excusing them was that
their State had Withdrawn. But the Senate
could fill vacancies on committees.
Further debate ensued.
On motion of Mr. Seward, the subject
was tabled, 80 against p. GWin, Latham,
Salisbury, Bigler and johnson of Tennes-
see voted with the Republicans.
Crittenden's resolutions were up.
Powell argued that division Of the Ter
ritories az proposed by his colleague was
Just and equitable, and thoughtit eminently
proper that settlement should apply to
all future acquisitions so as to take the
question out of Congress. lie cOntended
that it would in no way encourage fllibus-
tering, for territory could not be acquired
in that Way. He claimed that the Oonsti-
tuition recognized slavery and there was no
need of advocating protection, for prOteo-
ton was the plain duty of every Govern
ment He said the Senator from Ohio ask
ed what the charges were and they would
repeat a few. One was that bands were
organized In the Free States TO steal prop
erty in the South.
Mr.. Wade asked for proof. BE did not
believe word of it. rs-f
Mr. Powell said the Underground Rail-
road was well known. He spoke of no
slaves carried off. This, if from foreign
country, would be cause of war. Per
sonal Liberty bills are another cause for
complaint. They are a clear violation Of
the Constitution.
Mr.. Wade wanted some specific charge
against Ohio so he could answer it. Hewas
tired of hearing general charges.
Mr.. Powell said the Governor Of Ohio
refused to deliver up fugitives from justice.
The Republicans had elected q President
who declared that he would not vote to ad-
nit slave State, notwithstanding the de-
cision Of the Supreme Court.
Mr. Trumbull said this was directly the
reverse Of what the Senator said.
Mr.. Powell said he would examine and
if wrong wouid strike it out of his speech.
He had no desire to do injustice.
Mr.. Bigler said that Lincoln had saidh he
would vote against allowing slavery in
Territory.
Mr.. Powell said it amounted to about the
same thing.
Mr.. Trumbull read the answer of Lincoln
when he said, II do not now and never
did stand pledged against the admission of
slave States into the Union"
Mr.. Powell thought if we wouldn't let
slavery 60 into the Territories, we could
have no more slave States. Powell con-
tinued: If anything is done to save the
Union, It must come from the Republican
side.
Mr.. Wade ssid the Senator from Virginia
(Mason) said that Ohio refused to repeal
the Personal Liberty law. He (Wade) did
not believe Ohio had any law which was
unconstitutional lie thought the Senator
from Virgins was mistaken. The Law
framed last year gives further security to
free people, and, when it came up this year,
was postponed. That was the mistake Of
the Senator The law is exactly the oppo-
site Of what he supposed
Mr.. Mason said he saw no use Of the Re-
publicans Of Ohio refusing to repeal the
Law under which Marshals had been i'm
prisoned.
Mr.. Wade said the only law Of Ohio was
copied almost entirely from the law Of Vir-
ginia. Such alaW ought not to be repealed.
de saw norsason for compromise with any
body. There is no organization in Ohio to
interfere with laws. he did not doubt that
slaves escaped, but there was no organized
company for such purposes.
Mr.. Mason said the Governor of Virginia
demanded Of the Governor of Ohio the sur
render Of a fugitive who committed murder
and arson in Virginia, and that the Cover
nor of Ohio refused TO deliver him. TWAS
one Of John Browns company.