Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-07-26

regard to the Constitution | heard no
rebuke administered to the eminent Sena-
tor, but, on the contrary, ! saw warm
organizations, and the Senator declared
that, unless the people of these States
were willing to obey the Federal Govern
ment, they must be reduced to the con-
dition of territories, and, he added, he
would govern them by Governors from
Massachusetts and Illinois, This was
said seriously and afterwards repeated
Mr.. BAKER explained He said he
was delivering speech against giving
too much power to the President, and
was keeping his usual constitutional,
guarded position against an increase of
the standing army, and gave, as an ex-
cuse for voting for the bill, the present
state of public affairs. He did say he
would take some risk of despotism, and
repeated that he would risk a little to
save all. He hoped the States would re-
turn to their allegiance, but they would
not he thought it better for civilization
and humanity that they should be gov
erned as territories. lie did say so then,
and believed so now, and thought the
events of the next six months would show
that it would be better if the Senator be-
lieved it too.
Mr. BREcKINRIDGE said the answer Of
the Senator proved what he said, and
contended that it was evident that the
Constitution was to be put aside 1t was
utterly subversive of the Constitution and
of public liberty to clothe any one with
dictatorial powers. He then referred to
the speech of Mr. Dixon, of Connecticut,
who said, 10 substance, that if African
slavery stood in the way il must be abo-
lshed
Mr.. Dixon had the Secretary read
what he did say on the subject, as pub
lished yesterday
Mr.. BREcKINRlDGE said it appeared to
him that tho most violent Republicans
had possession of the Government, and
referred to the bill introduced by Mr.
Pomeroy to suppress the Shareholders
rebellion, and which also contained pro-
vision for the abolition Of slavery. He
contended that the very title was enough
to show that tho Constitution was to be
put aside.
Mr. BrNGHAM (Rep., Mich. asked if
he commended this was not a shareholders
rebellion.
Mr. BREcEIYRIDGE I do, sir; J do.
He then referred to the refusal of last
session to make any compromise, though
the Southern leaders said they would be
satisfied with the Crittcnden Compromise.
But all efforts were refused, and now any
offers Of peace are ruled out of order in
one House, and it is vain and idle to ar
que for it. He wanted to let the coun-
try know that Congress deliberately re-
fused the last effort to avert the horrors
Of an internal struggle But why utter
words? shall trouble the Senate no
longer. know that no argument or
appeal will have any effect
] have cherished all my life an attach
ment to the Union of these States under
the Constitution Of the United States, and !
| have always revered that instrument as
one Of the wiscst Of human works, but
now it is put aside by the Executive of
the United States, and those acts are
about to be approved by the Senate, and
] see proceedings inaugurated which, in
my opinion, will lead to the utter sub
version of the Constitution and public
liberty 1t is vain to oppose it. ] am
aware that, in the present temper Of Con-
gress, one might as well oppose his up
lifted hand to the descending waters of
Niagara as to risk an appeal against these
contemplated proceedings. The few of
us left can only look with sadness on the
melancholy drama being enacted before
us. We can only hope that this fash Of
frenzy may not assume the form Of
chronic madness, but that Divine Provi-
dence may preserve for Us aud for posteri-
ty, out Of the wreck of broken Union,
tue priceless principles of constitutional
liberty and self-government.
Mr.. LANE (Rep. Ind said he wanted
to know if the President had not saved
the country by prompt action. He sane
toned all done, and the people sanction
ed it /; and he sanctioned all TO be done
when our victorious columns shall sweep
treason from all Virginia. The Presi-
dent had suspended the writ Of haJeas
co,puS, and he only regretted the corpus
Of Baltimore treason had not been sus-
pended at the same time. Suppose the
Senator from Kentucky bad been elected
President would be have refused to de-
fend the Capital when he found that armed
rebellion was ondeavoring to capture il 3?
He believed not He proceeded to al.
lude to the seizure Of telegraphic de-
spatcbes, severely commented on as a
usurpation Of poverty the Senator from
Kentucky That seizure would be ne
cessary, perhaps, to implicate certain
Senators on this floor. He had read this
day, in paper, tina. Senator had tele-
graphed that President Lincon's Con-
gress would not be allowed to meet here
on the 4th of July.
Mr. BREcKINRIDoE said he supposed
the Senator alluded to him.
Mr.. LANE replied that he did.
Mr. BREogISRID0E replied that his
personal relations with the Senator pre-
cluded him from believing that be would
do anything kind but he had to say that
the abatement that he sent such dcs-
patch was totally unfoundce.. Ho would
not pretend to deny oil the charges made
against him in the papers. He bad at
tempted it once, but found tho charge
reiterated in the same journal tho second
day after he had expressly denied it,
He would say. however, now, that the
statement that be had tslegrsphed Mr.