The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-01-01
ACTION OF THE SENATE ooMMITTPs

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22-Tbe Comm;t,oo
Thirteen were in session to-day six hours .na
half, considering various propositions to arree, -
progress of dissolution and give peace 10 NV
country. '
The amendment proposed to the Constitution l.
Mr. Crittenden, to settle the controversy hot,n,Oy
the North and the South finally and forever hu
division of the country from ocean IN ocoon y .
the parallel of the Missouri line. was the gu "a
subject of discussion. Messrs. Crittenden be-
las and blgier maintained it with great zeal ana
ability. anu
Mr. douglas reiterated his former determination
10 Tue question for the preservation of the
country, as though he had never cast vo.o ~
uttered sentiment on the subject before IF,bot
mode Of compromise would no. answer he a.
clared himself willing to go for anv other con
sistent with honor or justice. ~
The appeals of Mr. Crittenden in behalf of tbo
Union are said to have been eloquent and sublime
He too was willing to embrace any other effective
mode of adjustment
MrBigler, of Pennsylvania, preferred division
by line across the country because in that way
the question of slavery could be taken out Of
Congress and separated entirely from the popular
elections in the North, without which we never
could have permanent peace.
Messrs. Wade, Dooiittle Collamer and Grimes
opposed the proposition with much earnestness and
ability. They maintained that the people in the
late election decided the question Of slavery in
the Territories, and, therefore, they had no con-
cessions to make or offer They manifested great
unwillngness to act in the absence of Mr. Seward
but as they could give no assurance of his imme
date return, the committee declined to defer ac
ton on account of his absence
Messrs Davis, Toombs and Hunter discussed
the present unhappy condition of the country
with unsurpassed ability, and whilst manifesting
willingness to accept any measures of final settle.
ment which would secure their just rights in the
Union insisted that propositions must come from
the dominant party, the Republicans.
The vote on Mr. Crittenden's proposition was as
follows: For the roposition-Messrs Bigler, Crit.
ten6en, Douglas, Rice and Powe-5. Against
it-Messrs Davis, Doolttle, Collamer; Wade,
Toombs, Grimes and Hunter.
Messrs Hunter Toombs and Davis, neverthe-
less, animated inclination to 90 for it if the
Republicans would propose it in good faith
The second proposition submitted by Mr. Crit
tenden denying the right OF Congress to abolish
slavery in the dock-yards and arsenas, was voted
against by Messrs ColIamer, Doolittle, Grimes and
Wade. The remainder of the committee voted
for the proposition, but it had not majority Of
the Republicans, it was defeated under the rules
adopted by the committee that no proposition
oC CohsIucIeu uoPteu anu IcCOhiHChuSu W
the Senate which did not receive majority of the
Republican votes. and also majority Of those
opposed to the Republicans.
The third clause, denying to Congress the right
to abolish slavery in the District Of Columbia, was
defeated by the same vote, the Republicans all
voting in the negative.
Many other propositions were offered and voted
upon, but none of leading mportance-none that
would meet the great exigeneies of the times.
Dir Davis submitted resolution expressly re-
cognzing property in slaves, but no vote was taken
on it. ...
Mr. Toombs submitted series of resolutions,
embracing substantially the principles of the
Breckenridge platform, but final action was not
taken on them.
WASHINGTON, Dec 24.-On Thursday, in the
Senate Committee of ID, the Republicans sub
mitted as their ultimatum, that they would recon-
mend to their State Legislatures to adopt consti
tutiopal provision that slavery shall not be abol-
ished by Congress.