The national Republican., 1861-01-03
THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS,
SECOND SESSION..
Wednesday, January 2, 1861.

Mr.. Hunter presented memorials from hard-
ware dealers in relation to the tariff.
Mr.. Hunter introduced a bill for ceding to
States Withdrawing from the Union the forts
and arsenals situated therein, upon receiving
indemnity for the same.
Mr.. Lane moved to take up the Pacific rail.
road BILL
Much discussion ensued, as to whether the
bill should be proceeded with, or that Mr.. Bs.
ker, of Oregon, be allowed to proceed with his
speech.
Mr.. Douglas hoped that the Senator from
Oregon would proceed now. He had waived
his right to the floor to that Senator, and wished
TO speak tomorrow.
Mr.. Trumbull appealed to the Senator from
Oregon to allow his colleague to take the heor
Mr.. Lane said he had misunderstood the
position of affairs, and if the Senate desired he
would withdraw his motion.
On motion, the bill was made the special or.
der for Saturday next.
Mr.. Crittendens resolution was taken up,
and
Mr.. Baker, of Oregon, took the floor.
Mr.. B. opened with an eloquent reference to
the echoes of cascade in the mountains of Or
egon. He paid high compliment to the abil.
ity Of Mr.. Benjamin, and Joined issue with him.
He denied that this was Union of States, and
quoted, in support Of his declaration, the au.
thoriiy of Madison, Webster, J. {. Adams, and
Jackson. He demanded to know if the Sena.
tor from Louisiana believed secession to be q
constitutional right.
Mr.. Benjamin responded, that it grew out of
the nature Of the Constitution, and, in a colo.
guy with Mr.. Baker, referred to the amendment
which declared that all powers not granted to
the Federal Government, or prohibited to the
States, were reserved to the States respectively,
or to the people.
Mr.. Baker, resuming, declared that the only
mode in which the people of State could re
sst was by revolution, and that must be only
because wrongs were intolerable and perma.
nent, and as a last resort.
He declared that there were but two causes
for tho present revolutionary measures in the
South-the fugitive slave law and the extension
Of slavery to the Territories. He reviewed the
Republican position in regard to fugitive slaves,
and declared that it contemplated their return
under the Constitution. He quoted Clay, Cass,
and others, as sustaining the Republican idea
that slavery was a creature of local law, and
passed high eulogium on those gentlemen.
He gave way, and
ate adjourn, and allow the Senator to finish his
speech to morrow.
After some debate, the Senator with drew that
notion and moved TO 60 into Executive session.
Mr.. Davis introduced resolution directing
the withdrawal of Federal troops from the Sc.
ceding States, and requiring the President,
upon application from a State for that purpose.
to give notice that such State was authorized to
keep troops in time of peace.
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Coburn, elected q member of Congress
from Maine, in the place of Governor Wash
burn, appeared and qualified.
Mr.. Stratton presented the memorial of cit
zens of Newark, New Jersey, asking that Con.
gress recommend amendments to the Constitu
tions ofthe several States, with view to quiet the
present political agitation; which was referred
to the select committee Of. thirty three, as were
also the resolutions presented by
Mr.. Adrain, passed at public meeting held
at Trenton, New Jersey.
Mr.. Clark, Of Missouri, asked whether it was
likely the committee will report at an early day,
if at all but the question was not answered.
bill.
Mr.. Davis, of Indiana, withdrew the resolu.
ton, offered on Monday, instructing the Com.
mttee on the Judiciary to inquire into, and re.
port at any time, what legislation, if any, has
become necessary, on the part of Congress, in
consequence of the position assumed by South
Carolina ION the secession question:
Mr.. Holman desired to offer a substitute de.
nying the right Of secession, and looking to the
employment of the army and navy to protect
the public property and to collect the revenue.
Several points we're raised, that Mr.. Davis
could not withdraw his resolution.
The Speaker overruled the points of order
Mr.. Sherman claimed the right to now offer
the original resolution of Mr.. Davis, of Indiana I;
but this gave rise to prolonged discussion.
Finally, the Speaker decided against
Mr.. Sherman, who appealed from the decision
of the Chair. He said it was due to the coun.
try there should be a vote on the proposition.
Mr.. Adrain replied, that a vote could be taken
at some other time, and moved that the appeal
be laid upon the table.
This was negatived-yeas 70, nays II.
Mr.. Hill moved a reconsideration of the vote
Mr.. Moore, of Kentucky, moved that the
House adjourn.
Mr.. Anderson, of Missouri, for the purpose of
avoiding these irritating proceedings, which
we're calculated to hasten impending events,
suggested that the House go into Committee
Of the Whole on the state OF the Union.
Mr.. Sherman desired that his resolution should
be referred to select committee of five mem.
bers, with such instructions as would not prob.
ably excite discussion.
The motion to adjourn was negatived-yeas
81, nays 100.
Mr.. Howard, of Michigan, moved to refer Mr..
Sherman's resolution TO select committee of
five members, with instructions (which was
merely read for nformation) to inquire about
the seizure Of the forts at Charleston, the arse
nal, the custom,house, post Office &C., and to
report, from time to time, such facts as the ma.
terial interests of the country may demand.
Mr.. Sherman said he was willing to thus re-
fer his resolution, without a vote
Mr.. Houston and others were unwilling to
agree to such compromise.
The House, on motion of Mr.. Hill, reconsid.
cred the vote by which it refused to lay on the
table the appeal of Mr.. Sherman.
The question, therefore again required ON