Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-02-15
THIRTY-SIXTU CONGRESS.
HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES,.
WASHINGTON. Feb. !.

Itl oE tf hEPhESEN IAllNES.
WASHINGTON, Feb. ;.
HOUSE.-Alr. Taylor, of Louisiana, sal
ne owed it to himself, TO the people of Lol
lsiana and to the House and to the people {
the United States, to say that it was his so
emn conviction that if every one of til
measures reported by the Committee of 81
were adopted unanimously by both House
of Congress, it would produce no effect l
resisting the current sweeping State afte
State from the confederacy If the Unio
was to be restored to its former condition
must be by Constitutional amendment. ]
gentlemen cannot grant this, then dissolu
ton Of The Union is inevitable If we can
not dwell together in unity, let us like tn
Patriarchs, Lot and Abraham, peaceabl
separate.
While he found no warrant in the Consti
tuition for secession, he maintained the righ
of revolution which had been recognized b.
solemn acts through all the Departments 0
Government.
Messrs. Mexican and Stanton severally in
terrupted the gentleman, raising the poin
that he was not c0nfniDg himself to a mer
pe.sonal explanation. Mr.. Bouligny said h
was making MS last speech here, and Ger
tainly it was not policy to Interruptlhim.
Mr.. Taylor said that those who remained
here would have an opportunity to reply tC
his remarks, If they desired to do so.
! The Presidents message was taken up.
Mr.. johnson, of Tenn, made Il speech
| supporting his former position against Sc
cession, and defending himself from attacks
made in consequence of his saying he had
struck treason blow. and the men engaged
IN 1t, being traitors, helped the blow. He said
the scene IN the senate yesterday was well
played, and got up TO order, but whether
anxious mourners were prepared for the oc-
casion, he could not say. lie then discussed
the different points Of Mr.. Benjamin 5
speech.
Mr. Taylor argued against cocrcye meas
ures. He said that manufacturers were de-
pendent on the South for cotton, and said it
was the interest of trade, if the separation
took place, that it should be peaceful
Mr.. Sickles asked if he did not consider
war already initiated in seizing the mint and
othpr property by Louisiana, and if protect
i've measures were adopted by Government,
essential to the honor Of the rights Of the
country
Mr.. Taylor replied tha: it was the duty Of
Louisiana to protect herself by taking pos
session Of the ports, &c, as coercion was
threatened against their right Of revolution.
Mr.. Spinner rose to a point or order, and
said the gentleman was not a member.
John C0chrane hoped the gentlemen now
taking their farewell would not be inter-
rupted.
Mr.. Taylor replied, on the first attack on
the South, the whole people there would be
cal ed 70 the rescue, including Virginia,
North Carolina and Missouri, and civil war
would be the result.
lie then bade them farewell.
Mr.. Bouligny made an explanation, that
they had not received official notice OF the
passage of the ordinance of secession. He
was not elected by the convention, and
should not be governed by their action. He
was the only member Of Congress elected as
an American Union man, and to this
principle he should stand forever. When |
came here | took an oath to maintain the
Constitution of the United States. Does
not that mean the Union Of States By
that oath | shall stand. Whenever my i'm
mediate constituents instruct me to with
draw from this House, their wishes shall be
compiled with | shall, however, withdraw,
resign my seat, but after | DO so, shall con-
tinue to be a Union man, and stand under
the flag of my country that gave me birth.
loud and continued applause on the floor
and in the galleries, and cries OF good :
good y
The Deficiency bill was taken up. The
Senate's Chiriqui amendment. was lost. The
amendment for public Printing Office was
agreed to- The resolution for the recovery
of certain stolen Indian Trust Bonds was re-
ierred to a select committee.
The bill suspendlng postal service with
States where Obstructed, was taken up.
Mr. Branch opposed it on the ground that
such action would be a tacit acknowledge
ment of the independence of the seeding
States.
Mr.. Sickles advocated the bill, as there
was no power now to protect the mail from
robbery.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.
SBNArE.-Mr. Ten Eyck presented six pc
titions from the citizens Of Philadelphia, ask
ing Congress to stand by the Constitution.
Mr. Wilson, from the Committee on Mill
tary affairs, reported bill for the better or
canization of the militia of the District of
Columbia Laid over.
Messrs. Dixon and Bigler presented petit
tions in favor of the CritteDden resolutions.
One Of Mr.. Bigler's petitions was from a fire
company in Lancaster, Pa, organized before
the adoption of the Constitution, printed on
large American flag.
Mr.. Foster presented petition numerousy
signed, in favor of Border State resolutions.
Mr.. Cameron presented petitions in favor
the Constitution and enforcement of the laws.
Mr.. Fessenden presented petitions from
the citizens of Maine, praying for something
to be done to save the linton.
Mr.. Douglas moved to reconsider the vote
on the passage of the bill to organize the
Territorial Government of Colorado. \ long
discussion ensued, when it was rejected.
! The President S Message was taken up, and
Mr.. johnson finished his speech. lie con-
tended that re gn Of terror existed in The
seeding States lie did not believe Tennes-
see was going TO be lashed to the car of South
| Carolina. He thought, even if Convention
passed such an ordinance, they would have
| to be taken out out at the point of the bayo-
net The Union was not gone. 1t was still
in existence, but if the old flag was struck to
the dust, he wanted no more glorious wind
ing sheet than that same fag-no better
grave than to lie with the Union.
HoUsE.-Mr. Nixon introduced a memo
tial of 1900 citizens of New Jersey, asking
he adoption of the Crittendcn resolutions.
Mr.. Colfax called up the bill to suspend
the mail service in seeding States, which
after debate, was passed, l3l against &C.
The consideration of the report of the
Committee of Thirty-three was resumed.
Mr.. Humphrey could not negotiate with
traitors, nor the Government compound with
treason. But to the loyal States, there wa'
no rational demand he would deny, consist
ent with honor and principle. Let Mr.. Lin,
coin be inaugurated, then Congress coulc
address themselves to the subject.
Nj. Harris, OF Va, was for Union, ever
now, bleeding and shattered as it is. Th'
Cotton States were gone, but the Republican
by coming forward and rendering justice tt
the South can prevent further rupture, unit
the border States. by firm and conciliatory
course, can adjust with them all pendlnG
difficulties. This done, the States wouli
return to the Union, and be on a more per
manent basis than ever.
| EVENING SESSION. Maynard ,of Tenn.
advocated the Crittenden proposition ant
onreeIed to the Republicans to attempt M