Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-01-25
from The State of Delaware. urging the aaop

from the State of Delaware, urging the adop-
ton OF Crittenden's compromise.
MIR. Harris, of Maryland, gave notice that
he would move the resolutions Of the Border
State Committee as an amendment to the
proposition reported from the Committee Of
Thirty three. Mr.. Harris then presented
memorials from II, 900 citizens Of Maryland,
representing every district and county in the
State, in favor Of the adoption of the Border
State resolutions.
Mr.. Colfax, from the Post Office Committee,
reported back the bill authorizing the Post
master General to suspend the mail service in
the seeding States. Mr. Co!ax said that he
would not have introduced the bill if the
Federal Courts had remained intact, but now
persons may open the mails and rifle them,
and there are no means by which they may
be brought to justice. If the Postmaster
refuses to pay the drafts given to the con-
tractors, the latter eau hold Congress respon-
sible; therefore, it became the imperative
duty of the Government to discontinue the
postal service where there is no means of
protecting it.
Mr.. Branch wished to offer substitute,
covering more ground than was proposed by
the bill before the House. The President has
communicated to Congress that, owing to the
existing condition of affairs, the laws cannot
be enforced in South Carolina. That message
is now before the select committee.
Mr.. Branch's substitute was then read, viz:
To the end of removing all causes for using
force, and to prevent the breaking out Of civil
war pending the deliberations of Congress in
the existing crisis of public affairs, all laws of
the United States be and they are hereby
suspended until the LIST of July, 1862, in and
over those States which have heretofore, or
may, previous to SAID time, adopt ordinances
of secession.
Mr.. Colfax would not accept the substitute.
Mr.. Davis inquired whether it was his
| (Colfax's) intention to move the passage of
the bill under the operation of the previous
question?
Mr.. Coifax replied in the affirmative.
Mr.. Davis thought the bill was Of too much
importance to be thus forced through the
House.
Mr. Cochrane raised the question whether
the laws could thus be constitutionally sus-
pended? This was grave inquiry. Was
this, as Mr.. Colfax stated, a measure of peace,
or piece Of measure? Laughter.
Mr.. Colfax replied that. in view of the
existing revolution, the postal laws could not
be executed. No coercion was proposed.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, proposed C
substitute authorizing and empowering the
President, when he shall deem it necessary
to suspend all laws or parts of laws establish
ing ports of entry and the collection of debts
in South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Missis-
sippi, or any other State that has now or may
hereafter secede, or be in rebellion against
the United States, and to continue such sus-
pension until such States shall return in their
loyalty to the United States. The President
shall give notice of such suspension by proc
lamation, and such suspension shall commence
ten days thereafter. During the suspension,
it shall not be lawful for any vessel except
such as belong to the United States to enter
or leave any such ports of the United States
for foreign ports, Or coastwisc. If any vessel
shall be found violating the provisions of this
act, such vessel and cargo shall be forfeited,
onehalf to the crpturers and the other half to
the United States; and those on board any
such captured vessel shall be tried before any
admiralty court having jurisdiction. The
President Shall also have power to suspend
all laws establishing post offices and post
routes in any of the seeding States, and the
mail shall be carried only to the line of such
States, except where it is necessary to pass
through them to reach loyal State The
mail shall not be opened in rcbelious State.
And it is further provided that the President
have power to use the army and navy for the
f execution of the law.
j., The consideration of the bill was then
) postponed till Thursday week.
The House resumed the consideration of
the report of the committee of Thirty Three.
; Mr.. Bingham denied that any State could,
+ by any appliances, separate from the rest,
ur that any State could strike down the
: unity Of the government that makes US one
people. In regard to the seizure of forts,
, arsenals and other lawless measures, it is the
duty Ct Congress to strengthen the EXecu-
tive, to enable him to summon the people to
, the vindicaton OF the outraged Constitution
and laws He opposed the measure recon-
mended by the maj GRITTY committee. He
, would not vote for the admission of New
Mexico until it repealed its unjust slave code
, Mr.. Clemens believed before God that
slavery would be crucified if the unhappy
controversy ends in dissolution. If not cru
cited it will have the deatE-rattle in its
throat. 1t remained to be seen whether
treason can be carried on There was Il
brave and holy minority in the slave States
Lazarus is not dead but sleepeth. lie asked
no favors for the South, but demanded JUS
tice only. that which springs from honest
magnanimity. North Carolina, which first
proclaimed independence, end Virginia,
which gave birth to it, were both allied to
:: Massachusetts. He believed there yet lin
gers patriotism which will save the coun.
try, whose glory belongs to US all. Will you
be appealed to Step forward in spirit
which made our fathers illustrIous and not
shut out every access to sympathy.
Mr.. Clemens showed that the Jaw of pop.
ulation governed the question. 1t was pop.
ulatlon and capital The South wanted not
Territory. He showed the object of South
ern Confederacy was to open the African
slave trade. The South out of the Union
would never be able to secure so much Ter
ritory as he could hold in his hand It was
reported that the South were sending con.
missioners to Europe to effect an alliance
against their brothers in bondage and line
age. If the South would take the Constitu
tion Of the U. 5. rs q provisional government
the Cptton States will have legislative power
over the border States which will be bound
hand and foot to policy as they ever were
finder our Constitution intensified forty times.
Several gentlemen moved that Mr Glenn
ems have leave to continue his remarks
beyond the hour for debate.
Mr.. Martin, Of Va, excitedly expressed
the hope that the member would not be al
lowed to continue his traitorous remarks
Much confusisn ensued which soon subsidized.
| hir. Wash5arne, of Wis, adverted to the
minority report of the Committee of Thirty
Three, made by himself He was opposed
to gi wing slavery guarantee in the Consti-
tuition and to the admission of New Mexico.
Adjourned.
------$sf~---
tfMid,il vs.. Union.