The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-01-25

Mr.. Salisbury believed the Senator SIM
cere. Though FIVE states had gone out, be
thought that if this side met the Senator
with that same spirit the Union would still
remain. Mr.. Crittenden urged the impor.
tance of the measure, and spoke against the
postponement. Adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr. Howard of Michigan asked
leave to introduce resolution to give the
select committee on the Presidents special
message leave to sit during the session OF the
House, with leave to report from time to
time at their discretion.
Mr.. Winslow objected.
Mr.. Colfax introduced resolution for
suspension of mail facilities in seeding
states. Referred to post Office committee.
Mr.. English offered resolution that the
Committee of Thirty-three be instructed to
take necessary measures to carry the Crit
tenden compromise into practical effect, and
moved suspension of rules. Lost-67
to 80.
Mr.. English wished the country to notice
that the Republicans would not allow a
vote.
The report of Committee of Thirty-three
came up and Mr.. Corwin addressed the
House.
Mr.. Corwin said the withdrawal of
state does not necessarily make the enforce
ment of laws subversive of peace, and
showed that personal liberty bills do not af-
feet the rights of the south, arguing that
laws for recapture depend on the federal
courts. Such laws, having been approved
by the supreme court, render opposing state
laws null. Southern newspapers and
orators have magni6ed hundred
times imaginary dangers apprehended
from the Republican administration. He
showed the fears of amendment to the
Constitution to the detriment of the south
by the Republicans were groundless, saying
twelve more free states were necessary to
furnish the requisite votes for such an act.
The committee propose as an amendment
that any change relative to slavery be de-
pendent on the action of every state, and
asking what more is demanded. He showed
that the condition of large portion of the
territories precluded slavery. Slavery is
already established in New Mexico; why
not admit her at once, thus banishine for
ever this 6rebrand. If these difficulties are
not removed he would not attempt to lift
the curtain from the future, and the conse.
quences which may follow the delusion.
The following is the letter of the Ala
bama Representatives, announcing their
Withdrawal:
WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. 81, 1861.
Hon. William Pennington, Speaker of the House
of Representatives..
uou usvn fuad inf <sny, <1ox L..
State of Alabama, through convention rep
resenting her sovereignty, has adopted and
ratified an ordinance by which she withdraws
from the Union of the United States of Ameri-
ca, and resumes the powers heretofore delega-
ted to the Federal Government, it is proper
that We should communicate the same to you
and through you to the House of Representa-
tives over which you preside, and announce
our withdrawal from the further deliberations
of that body. The causes which, in the judg.
ment of our State, render such action necessary
we need not relate. 1t is sufficient to say that
duty requires our obedience to her sovereign
will, and that we shall return to our homes to
sustain her action, and share the fortunes of
our people.
We have the honor, &C., &C.,
[Singed.] GEO. s. HOUSTON,
SYDENHAM MOORE,
DAVID CLOPTON,
JAMES L. PUGH,
As u. l.
JAMES L. STALLWORTH.
The communication was laid on the table
and ordered to be printed.
WASHINGTON. Jan. %.
Mr.. Fitch moved that the Vice Presi>
dent be authorized to fill vacancies in the
committees.
The Vice President said there was no
record in the Journal of the absence of any
Senator's, and he had no notification of the
fact, and the names were still called on the
roll. He would like the Senate to instruct
him as to whether he should recognize their
| action.
Mr.. Douglas said there seemed to be no
trouble. We have been notified that certain
Senators have retired, and do not intend to
be here again this session; hence there are
vacancies. Their taking leave has nothing
to do with the question whether the states
are out of the Union or not.
Mr.. Benjamin contended that the journal
should at least record the fact that the Sen
ators declared that their state had seeded,
and that they had withdrawn.
Mr.. Seward said it would be doing dis
courtesy if we put the fact on record with.
out also putting the reasons of the Senators.
He was entirely opposed to making any
entry. The least said is soonest mended.
He was for leaving seats for these Senators
to resume in their own good time, and
hoped the time would not be long before
they would resume them.
Further debate ensued; but on motion of
Mr.. Seward the subject was tabled by ayes
80, nays %. Messrs. Gwin, Latham, Sauls
bury, Bigler, and johnson, of Tennessee,
voted with the Republicans. :.
The Crittenden resolutions were then ta-
ken up.
HoUsE.-Mr. Colfax, from the P. O. Com
mittee, reported back the bill authorizing
the Postmaster General to suspend the mail
service in seeding states. Mr.. Oolfax said
that he would not have introduced the bill
if the federal courts had remained intact !:
but now persons may open the mails and
there are no means by which they can be
brought to justice. If the Postmaster re.
fuses to pay the drafts given to the con.
tractors, the latter can hold Congress re.
sponsibie, therefore it became the impera.
tive duty of the Government to discontinue
the postal service where there is no means