Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-01-03
Wirty,Sir Congressional Session.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 81, 1860
SENATE.-Mr. Powell, from the Committee of
thirteen reported that the Committee had directed
him to report that they have been unable to agree
Mr.. Douglas said he desired to address the Senate
on the subject on Wednesday. On motion of Mr..
Bigler 1T was agreed that when the Senate adourns
to-day, it be to meet on Wednesday next. The
Senate then postponed Mr.. Cri,tendens resolutions
until Monday next, at twelve 0 clock hir. Wilson
introduced resolution of inquiry relative to the
places of depoSite and sales of public arms, which
was laid on the table. The Kansas bill was post
poned till Monday next
Mr. Benjamin. of Louisiana, then took the floor
and proceeded to address tine Senate He declared
that the crisis in country had not without
warnings; yet the Republicans scotfed at and neg
lected them. Now they saw the truth of the warn
ing. South Carolina had become independent
Mississippi, Florida and Alabama would BE indie
pendent next week; and Georgia, Louisiana, Texas
and Florida would soon follow. The question (he
said) now was, whether their independence should
be recognized, Or civil war begun? South Carolina
had only repeated, in 1860, what was done in 1888.
She had the right to do so, because the compact
which bound her to it, was compact broken on one
side therefore, broken on all sides. The present
Union had been formed on this principle, by nine
States seeding from the old confederacy.
Mr.. B. quoted the debates in the conventions of
SS and 49, to show the truth of this and sustained
the position by we'll considered argument He
one class against the power usurped in the name of
the Constitution, like secession; and the other
against the abuse of Constitutional power, by a
revolution Mr. b. denied that secession was rev.
dictionary right, and quoted the Mcleod case t.
show that an individual could not be held response
BILE when carrying out his Governments orders He
showed that civil process must precede the employ
mcnt of military force and that civil process
possible in the seeding States He argued the sub
ject at some length and after recitation Of the
wrongs endured by the South declared, "you may
bring deSolation upon our homes but yOu never can
subugate us never! never! neyeri!" Tumutu-
Gus applause
The Chair ordered the galleries to be cleared, and
while the call of the yeas and nays was being made,
the gentlemen's gallery was cleared The Senate
then adjourned
Enthusiastically Floyd sent a communication
to the Speaker explaining the nature. character and
cause of his acceptances in the Russell and Bailey
case He said they were not due nor payable till
the service performed The communication
was referred to the select committee on that subject
Mr. Stevens offered resolution of inquiry in rela-
ton to the public property in Charleston, and the
harbor, garrsons, &c. The House refused to sus-
pend the rules by vote of 81 to 50. Mr.. Stanton
offered resolution, which adopted that the
Committee on Military Affairs report, at any time,
about the recent sales of public the States
and Charleston harbor and arsenal affairs. Mr..
| Pryor offered resolution which was tabled, that
any attempt to preserve the Union by force i!il-
practicable and destructive of Republican liberty
The vote stood SO to 3d. Pending the consideration
of the resolution, and substitute denying the right
of secession and inquiring if the present laws were
sufficient to protect the public property, and the
employment of the army and navy, the House ad-
] journed to Wednesday.