The national Republican., 1861-01-18
THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS,
SECOND SESSION.
Thursday, January II, 1861.
SENATE.

Mr. fiunter mOVeu 10 Jake up tne ueuClenCy
bill He said he hoped to get through with the
bill to-day.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr. Fessenden presented the credentials of
Hon. L. NJ. Morrill,, United States Senator from
the State of Maine, vice Hon. II. Hamlin re-
signed.
Mr. Morrill, came forward, and having been
sworn, took his seat.
The Vice President laid before the Senate
the credentials of Hon. s. p. Chase, United
States Senator from the State of Ohio, after
tn. 4th Of March next.
The deficiency bill was then taken up, and
it was read, together with q number Of amend
ments, which we're debated, some adopted, and
the bill passed.
The Pacific railway bill then came up.
Mr. Lane urged that the road or brauch
should extend to Oregon.
Mr. BENJAMIN contended that the road should
not extend beyond the eastern boundary of
California. That State could decide as to
where its Pacific terminus should be, and
build it through the State by its own means or
patronage. II the Federal Government should
build it through California, might not other
States claim the right to II similar grant?
Mr.. Gwin understood that the road had been
pressed in the Senate as great military facii
ty for the defence Of the country.
Mr.. Lane contended that the Government
had no right to build q railroad into or through
any State.
Mr.. Green said he regarded the road as not
only convenient, but Indispensable.
Mr.. Latham said that the southern route
would cost Just fteeu million dollars.
Mr.. Douglas said the bill was not a measure
to make road, but contract for transporta.
ton on it when it should be completed.
On motion Of Mr.. Bigler, the Senate went
into Executive session.
HOUSE.
The Speaker laid before the House COM
munication from the Quartermaster General,
asking for an appropriation cf between seven
and eight hundred thousand dollars-this
amount being expended in the prosecution Of
Indian hostilities within the current year.
Mr. Pottle, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported back the Senate joint resolu.
ton permitting Commodore Paulding to accept
certain presents from the Government of Mica
ragua.
Mr. Hindman objected to the consideration
of the resolution. 1t was for the benefit of
man who had acted as constable for Great
Britain and Nicaragua.
Mr. Pottle said the gentleman was entirely
mistaken. 1t authorized Commodore Paul.
ding to accept sword and grant of land
from Nicaragua, for distinguished services both
to this country and Nicaragua.
Mr.. Hindman would not discuss the question
of distinguished services. He was against
Paulding's act then, as he was now.
The House, in Committee of the Whole on
the state of the Union, resumed the considera-
ton of the army appropriation bill.
Mr.. Thomas, of Tennessee, made a speech,
taking the Southern side Of the question, and
contended coercion would but add fuel to the
flame. The opinion was, if the Government
had pursued more peaceful policy, he ques.
toned whether more than one State would be
now out of the Union, if that. There would
have been more time for the adjustment Of the
present difficulties. But if coercion should be
used against the secessionists, the Southern
| States ought to meet it as blow aimed at q
common bosom.
Mr.. Sckles, of New York, in the course of
his remarks, counselled that the status quo be
preserved as near as possible, and that moth
ing be done by the Government to provoke
collision. If however, the peace was to be pre-
served, the South must act in similar spirit
1t would not do for the South to seize FORTS
arsenals, and the ships which come in their
way. They could not cry "peace" while using
force. He said the firing into the Star of the
West was an act of war, and from any foreign
Power would have aroused the whole nation
to resistance. He eulogized the magnsnimity
of Maj jor Anderson, and entered into a legal
argument to show that the Southern States can.
not undo the acts by which jurisdiction was
ceded to the Federal Government over the sites
Of forts, arsenals, navy yards, &c. He opposed
the revolutionary movement Of secession.
Mr.. Ashley, Of Ohio, maintained there was
no cause for a dissolution of the Union, and
the acts Of ursurpation with this view were
without excuse, much less justifable. The con-
spirators have been acting with traitors con.
nected with the Government for the last four
years. Had the people at the North known
what was going on, they would at the ballot
box have efiectually silenced the Northern
allies of the secessonists. 1t was demanded by
those who had violated the Missouri and other
compromises, that the Republicans shall amend
| the Constitution SO as to make slavery a
fnality. But the Republican party ought to
die, if it should engrait on that instrument a
recognition of property in man. He said this
city will remain the capital of the country, so
| long as loyal States were to be found and the
stars and stripes would float from the dome,
instead of the black flag of slavery. If the
President had done his duty, these troubles
would not now exist. He will retire from his
position utterly disgraced.
Mr.. Perry, of Maine vindicated New
England, and spoke of the favorite idea in
some MINDS, 10 cut her OIL from the rest OF
the Confederacy. But, when that experiment
shall be tried, the South would find that New
England could as well live without the South,
as the South could live without New England.
He argued the following propositions, as in
contrast with Southern States first, as to the
territory and population of New England
second, her moral and social condition and
third, her wealth and industry. So long as the
men of the South have arms in their hands,
and so long as they forcibly resist the execu.
ton of the laws, his voice was for war. The
Government that negotiates with traitors de.