Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-03-29
senate Proceedings.
Douglas Resolution Laid on tho Table

electeo IN piace OF MT. Cnase, were pre-
scented, and he was sworn in.l
WASHINGTON, March 26.
SsNArE.-Mr. Breckenridge moved to take
up the resolution, introduced by him yester
day, advising the withdrawal of the Federal
troops from the seeded States He did not
intend to make any remarks on that subject
as ho had already expressed his views on
that subject and desired the vote on his mo-
ton to be regarded as test question.
Mr.. Fessenden supposed there would be
no objection to that, but reminded the Sena-
tor that no quorum was present.
On motion, the Senate went into Executive
session.
The Senate resumed the consideration of
the resolution of Mr.. Douglas.
Mr.. Breckenridge addressed the Senate,
replying to some remarks made by Mr..
Douglas yesterday. He spoke at some
length, to the effect that if Republican
statesmen remained firm and determined,
there can be no other result than to drive
the Border States into a union with the
Confederate States. If the Border Slave
States holda Convention, which seems prob
able, and the non-slaveh olding States deem
it their duty to reject such propositions as
may be essential, then the disruption of the
Union will be inevitable to the extent of
fifteen States, and at no distant day that
will be the largest oonfsderacy on the con.
tinent.
Mr.. Douglas replied and reiterated the
points of his former speech to show that
the slaveholding States have no complaint
to make, as they have their just proportion
and rights in the Territories, and that their
equitable division on the line of 81 degrees
half degree farther South than claimed
in the Crittenden proposition. The Senator
from Kentucky had not attempted to dispute
this, but he knew the Territories of Oolora-
do, Nevada and Dacotah had been organized
on the basis of the Kansas and Nebraska
bill. All these Territories were organized
on the non-intervention principle, leaving
to the people to decide the slavery question,
subject only to the c, Institutional Limitation
and leaving to the courts to ascertain what
that limitation is This was all the South
had ever asked. He (Douglas) said that
although the Republicans had Abandoned
some Of their essential principles, he did
not believe the best interests of the country
would be promoted by the exercise of their
power. Still he preferred Union under the
Republican administration rather than none
at all, inasmuch as they have recognized
the rights Of the South in the Territories
and not attempted to repeal the slave code
of New Mexico. This fact should be pro
claimed by every loyal Union man.
The question was then taken on motion
of Mr.. Grimes for laying Mr.. Douglas reso-
luton on the table. Carred-23 against |.
Mr. Rroot ipr i6<vo loj loo k<; nk.
the following resolution, and if there be no
objections would ask vote on it now:
Resolred, That the Senate recommend and
advise the removal of the United States
troops from the limits of the Confederate
States.
Mr.. Sumner-Let it lie over.
Mr.. Clingman said he had similar reso-
luton, with an additional point, recon-
mendng abstaining from all attempts to COL
lect the revenue. lie said if the troops were
withdrawn there ought to be forbearance as
to the collection of the revenue.
Mr.. Collamer moved an executive session.
Mr.. Breckenridge claimed that the motion
was not in order, as Mr. Olingman had the
floor. He had no objection to the latter
resolution.
The chair decided that the resouti IN
should lay on the table.
Executive session--adiourned.
WASHINGTON, March 81.
SENATE.-The Chair presented a message
from President Lincoln, relating to a reso
luton passed by the Senate asking, if in his
opinion it is not incompatible with the public
interest, to communicate the dispatches of
Maj. Robert Anderson to the War Depart
ment during the time he has been in COM
mand at Fort Sumter. The President says Z:
81 have come to the conclusion that at the
present moment, the publication of it would
be inexpedient."
When the doors were opened, Breckin-
ridge moved to take up his resolution of yes
terday, saying, if his motion prevailed, he
would accept Clingman's substitute. He
asked the yeas and nays, saying he should
consider it test question, as to whether or
not the Senate was willing to express an opin-
ion.
Ma. Rice was in favor of Breckinridge's
resolution, but thought Olingman's went too
far, in questioning the right Of the Senate tn
express an opinion on collecting the revenue
to the President.
Mr.. Breckenridge said it would be for the
Senate to decide as to the acceptance OF
Clngman's substitute.
Mr.. Wade hoped that it would be taken up,
so as to have a square vote on it.
Mr.. Rice deemed it improper for the Senate
to advise the President on matters which rest
on him by law.
Mr.. Clngman wanted to go further than
the Breckenridge resolution, believing tho
President, under the existing law, has power
to collect revenue in the seeding States.
Mr.. Rice said the Senate was travelling far
out of the way, to advise the President. He
asked Breckenridge if his resolution extended
to Key West and Tortugas; if so, he would
never withdraw troops thence.
Mr.. Breckenridge supposed the resolution
those points, as they are within
The limits Of Florida, but was willing to say
these points be excluded from the resolution,
rather than hazard its defeat, and did not
consider the withdrawal of troops from Key
West and Tortugas essential to the public
peace. lie disliked to do so, because he en-
erteined the hope of the re union of all the
States.
Mr.. Rice said if the seeded States were
vas in favor of their going in peace, and |
would give them the forts and arsenals for
he sake of peace, but they were not in pos
session of Key West and Tortugas, and
lever will be. These points are needed for
49, and not for them. The commerce of the
yorth will need these, and he would not give
hem up, under any consideration.
" Messrs. Clark, Simmons and Ten Eyck
pposed the taking up of the resolution.
Mr.. Douglas favored taking it up, with a
lew of Offering an amendment to bring it in
he scope it ought to take. He thought it
'ould be wise to withdraw the troops from
'ort Pickens. He said the government at
being revolutionary govern
,ent, could claim only what they occupied.
[e was willing, under existing eircum- ,
tances, to give up Sumter and Pickens, they
eing of no use unless they were intended
8 basis of military operations, and were
ow sources of constant irritation.
NJ HrnoE; rsIOo co;J h. Al ~