Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-01-25
FROM WASHINGTON.
Se0ards Speech--ArriUal Of Troops.

VIII slmpiy say, mat II rs clear exposition
of the difficulties in which the country is in
volved, but without any specific mode Of re-
moving those difficulties and thus Mr.. Sew
ard has covered the whole ground as well as
any man can do it. The emergency is extra
constitutional The Constitution contemplate
ed and provided for neither the secession of a
State. nor war upon a seeding State, nor the
recognition Of seeding State. Yet seces-
sion is fact, unconstitutional though it be.
What are the Constitutional means of the
Government 1t may execute the laws so
far rs practicable, and probably will attempt
b. il. 1t may defend the public property. If
forcible resistance is made to civil officers, the
military power may be called to aid them. If
the execution Of any law is resisted by force,
that is treason; aud the guilty may be tried
according to the Constitution and laws, when
ever these are enforced in the district where
the crime was committed But all this may
not bring single State back to the Union.
1t may lead TO actual civil war. Indeed. by
and by the question may be forced to this
point; civil war, suspension of the Consu-
tuition and laws in seeding State, or a rec
ognition Of its independence. say neither
are constitutional, strictly speaking but one
or the other may be absolutely necessary.
More necessary than was the unconstitutional
requirement Of Louisiana. Lord Bacon once
said that traitors he would hand over to the
laws, but heretics he would esteem as broth
ers who had been led astray. | would prefer
an application of that rule to the South now
The leading traitors should be dealt with
whenever the government has the power but
still we should maintain a kind aud mercilul
regard for the people who have been misled
by them. We may do it by keeping the Fed
eral Government on the defensive; and if that
is not sufficient, we can find some way to let
them 60. had rather see an Independent
Southern coniederacy than Southern depen-
dcncy maintained by force.
Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee
seem to be referring the secession question to
the people. 1t is good movement.
Yesterday morning a company of U. S.
Light Artillery, and another of marines reach
cd Washington. This is part Of the force
to be posted within striking distance" Of
the capital.
Report of the Committee of Thirty-hrce.
Mr.. Corwn to-day submitted the majority
report Of the Committee Of thrty-three 1t
reported mot recommended the various mea-
sures which have already been published as
the conclusions of the committee, but put in
form for legislative action. There is one new
proposition, touching fugitives from justice,
requiring the courts mot Governors) to deliv-
er up persons charged with crimes. There
will be one minority report, signed by Messrs
Tappan and Washburn perhaps more. Mr..
Morrill, dissents from three Of the committees
propositions. The report is the order for
: Monday next
Debate opened
All the general appropriation bills, except
for the army, have been passed by the House.
Debate upon the army bill was insisted upon
by Southern MEMBERS and was granted to
them during this week Talk, therefore, is
the order Of the week
Criftepden'e proposition defeated IN the Senate
Counter proposition Of the Republicans a.
dopted
WEDNESDAY, Jan. lG.
Significant votes in the Senate to-day; so
significant as to be alarming to the compro-
misers, and distressing to so moderate men
as the editors of the National Intelligencor.
Senator Crittcndens proposition was up for
amendment. BY 20 to "a the provision as to
free and slave territory was made applicable
to all territory hereafter to be acquired. Then
the question came upon the proposition of Mr..
Clarke of n. IL. to strike out all the resolu-
tions and insert the following
" Resolved, That the provisions Of the Con
stitution are ample for the preservation Of the
Union and protection of all the national inter
ests OF the country that it needs to be o.
beyed rather than amended, and that an ex-
trication from our present danger is to be
looked for in strenuous efforts to preserve
the peace protect the public property, and
enforce the laws, rather than in new guaran-
tees for particular interests, compromises for
particular difficulties, or concessions to I'M
reasonable demands.
50 ResclUed, That all attempts TO dissolve
the present Union, or overthrow or abandon
the presspt Constitution, with the hope OF
expectation of constructing new one, are
dangerous, illusory and destructive that in
the opinion Of the Senate Of the United States
no such reconstruction is practicable, and
therefore, to the maintenance of the existing
Union and Constitution should be directed
all tho energies of all the departments of the
Government and the efforts Of all good citi-
zens."
This amendment was adopted, 25 to 23
Every vote in the affirmative is Republican
How happened it that a Democratic Senate
permitted the Republicans to carry this prop,
ostion? Most of the secessionists withheld
their votes.
This, then, is tine answer Of the Republi
cans to the Crittendeu proposition. But it ii
nothing more than a declaration of the Re
publican Senators. Mr.. Cameron entered I
motion to reconsider, so the Democrats of thu
Senate, with the aid of their secession breth
rem, can at any time resurrect the orgina
proposition and adopt it.
Mastery Ipactivity"
1t is quite probable tina. the Administra
ton has adopted he do nothing policy in refe
renee to the seeding States. That means,
suppose, that the captured forts are not to b.
retaken by force. aud that those in our owl
possession will not be used except against in
vasion, either from abroad or from the States
Whether or not nothing is to be done IL re
spect to the collection Of the revenue. d.
not know. II will be Of little consequence
until the attempt is made to food the coun