Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-20
Geographic.
COMPASSIONATE.

SENATE.-Mr. Mason offered the following
preamble and resolution:
WHEREAS, the presence of military forces con-
centrated and permanently quartered at the seat
of Government is departure from all former
usage of the Government and dangerous to the
rights ard liberties of the people: Therefore,
Rcsolred, That the President inform the Sen
ate what number of troops of the army are quar-
tered IN this city, the respective arms of service
and purpose for which they were brought here
and further, that nc inform the Senate when said
troops are to be withdrawn and ii not to be
withdrawn, for what purpose they are maintained
here and whether it is his parpose to incre Use
said force, and to what extent.
Mr.. Douglas resolution in respect to the forts
arsenalS, navy-yards and other public property in
seeding States was taken up.
Mr.. Douglas advocated his resolution He did
not believe the policy of the Administration was
war The construction of the inaugural was dis
puted by some on his side, while Republicans
were silent whether asserting or dissenting from
his Interpretation. The policy OF the Admins
traton being peace, he desired to relieve the
apprehensions OF the country by obtaining a re-
ply to the resolution, which he believed would
give quiet and restore good feelings among differ
ent sections oil the country. He gave his reason
why Lincoln does not mediate war, among which
were that he had no power to collect the revenue
IN the seeding States, nor could lie call out the
militia unless to aid as a posse conitatas, Fede
raj officer. If he designed taking the forts, &C.
an army of $50 900 men would be necessary,
costing over three hundred and fifty millions of
dollars annually. In conclusion he advocated
such amendments To the Constitution as would
hold the border States. and this would secure
Union of all.
He congratulated the Republicans that they
had periodically abandoned the prohibition OF
slavery in t. Territories, and admitted the popu-
Ian al.
ernments for Colorado, Dakotah and Nevada.
Mr.. Wilson said Mr.. Douglas was man of anx
iety. The President had scarcely delivered his
kind and genial inaugural, when the Senator from
Illinois steps forward to give his Interpretation of
it. Nobody on the Republican side had under
taken to sanction or diSayow that Interpretation:
but the Senator was not content to stand even on
his own Interpretation of the inaugural
de was not content that the President and
Cabinet, which had just taken possession of the
Government and country in ruins, should not
nave time enough toacast about and see what
principle and patriotism require to be done But
he rushed into this chamber, and brought in a
resolution asking the Administration to declare
to the country what it intends to do. The Ad-
ministFation should make known its policy
through gentlemen in whom it had confidence
Mr.. Douglas said he could pardon the petu-
lence of the Senator, who only showed he was
that Senator'S only purpose to make personal
assault on him. lie referred to Wilson as be-
longing to wing OF the Republicans.
Dir. Fessenden called Douglas attention to the
fact that he said Senator from Maine instead of
Massachusetts,. a..
Mr.. Douglas said he was mistaken. He did
not refer to the Senator from Maine. His words
were "fr0m whatever quarter they came"
Mr.. Fessenden replied that his remarks were
understood a. he (EassanAanO had Sad
Mr.. Douglas-Some can not understand the
truth when 1t is told. Courtesy requires the Sen
ator to accept his explanation. The Senator at
taches more Importance to himself than others
do He is respectable, debates very well, and
he should not think allusion was made to him. as
there were other people than himself
Mr.. Fessenden thought Douglas had merely
made slip of the tongue in saying Senator from
Maine.
Mr.. Douglas-When make correction the
Senator is bound to accept. You don't admit it
because say the statement is false and the Sen
ator ought to know it. Sensation.
Mr.. FesSenden said the Senator was determined
on personal quarrel He could not admit Mr..
Douglas to be gentleman, because he had used
ungentemanly language.
He then proceeded ironically to peak of Dong
las, and showed why the resolution ought not to
pass.
The tendency and design of Douglas speech
was to induce the belief that the country is about
being plunged into war by an act of the Admins
tration, and to nfame the suspicious of the peo-
pie. He made it rule in this chamber to insult
no man or use offensive language. He did not
know whether Douglas held to the code of honor.
Mr.. Douglas said that Mr.. Fessenden would be
informed when he made inquiry in the proper
way.
Mr.. Fessenden replied that Mr.. Douglas cour-
age was well known; but he need not be fearful
that he would send him challenge, or words to
that effect
There was further colloquy.
Mr.. Hall said he recognized a portion of the
censure of Douglas as intended for himself. He
found already prepared for him little speech, to
be found in old book, chap XII: "Absolom
said moreover, Oh that were Judge in the land,
that every man which hath any suit, or cause,
might come unto me, and would do him Justice"
Laughter This speech he preferred to his
crude ideas
Mr.. Douglas-That quotation would have great
weight 1t only showed it was read to avoid argu-
ment and to make personal attack on him.
Hence he would say, come on, make attack after
| attack, get your quotations in advance, | am
ready to meet you. The Senator from Massachu-
sets led off in a miserable personal attack,
the Senator from Maine followed, the Senator
from New Hampshire came in with what he
called a written speech. expect to give them
some trouble during this session. L know their
schemes. l do not mean they shall break up
the Union and drag the country into war. Ap
plause in the galleries.
A Senator suggested that the galleries should
be cleared.
Mr.. Douglas---As the galleries win not be
quiet, | will say no more He then abruptly took
his seat. 80. .., s.
Executive session-adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Saturday. March 10.
SENATE.-Mr. Rice rising to a question of
privilege, caused to be read supplemental report
OF the House Select Committee ON Indian Trust
Bonds in which they sag there is not the slight
est suspicion that that Senator was implicated in
the abstraction, and that anything seeming to be
reflection upon him in their main report was Ell
tilely the result of msapprehension. ~ -.
Mr.; Douglas resolution calling for information
as to the Southern forts, etc, was taken up.
Mr.. Wilson moved to lay il on the table.
Mr.. Douglas hoped the vote would be permitted
to be taken on the resolution. as7 s1r
/ Mr.. Wilson did not wish to suppress the debate.
He merely made the motiou as a test question.
Mr.. Douglas had beard it intimated that one or
two Senators desired to spelk
At the suggestion of Mr.. Powell, the consider
alton of the resolution was passed over till Mon
day.
Mr.. Hunter INQUIRED Of Mr.. Fessenden when il
was probable the Senate would be enabled 20 adj
| journ.
Mr.. Fessenden had no knowledge on the sub
feet. He did hear that a member of the Cabinet
had said few days.
Mr.. Mason moved that the Senate proceed to
the consideration of his resolution relative to
quartering troops in Washington.
Mr.. Fessenden moved to 60 into executive seS-
sion, which prevailed-27 to 10.
The Senate afterward adjourned.
|
| Southern News.
| NORFOLK Va, Friday, March Is.
heavy snow storm is raging. Much DANA re
is expected on the coast The steamers adelaide
and Deford are detained.