The constitutional union., 1861-02-01
XXXVIth C0NGRESS.-.SeCOnd Session.
WASHINGTON, January 21.

 SENATE.-Mr. Gwin moved to take up the Pacific Railroad bill
 Mir Crittenden moved to postpone, and take up his resolutions. In this connection, he denied having authorized the publication of the statement that he had advocated coercion. He had said that Congress had the power to employ force, in such cases where force was applicable; but that, at present. there was no occasion for it.
 His motion was disagreed to, and the Pacific Railroad bill was taken up. Additional names were added to the incorporators
 January, 9.
 Mr. Bigler presented petitions in favor of the passage of the Crittenden resolutions
 Mir. Polk. of Missouri, presented petitions of the same character, signed by several thou sand persons.
 WASHINGTON, January 24 1 HoUsE-Mr Hamilton of Texas, desired to offer an amendment to the Post Route 1 bill
 Mir Colfax, before accepting the amend ment, wished to know whether Texas was going to remain in the Union.
 Mr. Hamilton said he could only say, as one of its citizens. that he trusted she would not withdraw He believed that if Congress would treat her fairly as a member of the 1 Confectionery, that it would have the effect of 1 keeping her in; and such treatment as had been recently accorded in voting for the sup port of a mounted regiment, etc., would make 1t to her advantage to remain in the Union. 1 If she withdraws she would have no right to enjoy mail facilities at the expense of the 1 Government.
 1 The offered amendment which Mir CoItaX accepted and reported, extends the existing contracts for Texas. so as to connect with the Butterfeld route provided that it can be done fer $500 ,000, and a semi-weckly connection with New Orleans.
 The House resumed the report of the Com mittee of Ihirty-three.
 Mir. Rust. of Arkansas, as a member of that Committees said that he had entered on his duty with desire to do whatever he could to give peace, and regretted that his efforts met with no proper response. It appeared to him that John Brown was the martyr and hero of the Republican party.
 Mir. Dunn, of Indiana, said that the Chicago platform expressly condemns all John Brown raids. As a member of that Committee he had discharged his duty without reference to the Chicago platform, and as to the Republican party sympathizng with the raid everybody North and South knew 1t was an infamous libel on the Republican party, and was sur priscd that any gentleman in this time of the counry's peril should give circulation to it.. Sensation.
 Mr. Rust said, with reference to the infa- nous libel made use of by the gentleman from Indiana, hope he Is responsible for 1t. As this is time of war, We must wage WAT, and desire to know whether the gentleman an- nounced to the House and the country that he was responsible for what he said. want to know that If he is for war, l am willing to accommodate him with war.
 Nr. Dnn-This is a free country and the gentleman can take any measure or any mode of redress he pleases.
 Mir. Rust (with cmphasis)-I have the an swer 1 want.
 Mr. Dunn desired always to be right in whatever he may have uttered in response to the gentleman from Arkansas What he in tended to say Was this, namely: That the declaration that the Republican party sympa- thized with John Brown was 6 libel on the party. He did not intend to use any offensive language to the gentleman, but made the re- mark, believing the charge to be libelous on the republican platform and party.
 Mr. Rust-the gentleman from Indiana says he did not intend to make the offensive remark in an offensive sense. 1 have the right to demand an unqualified retraction of the remark.
 Mir. Dunn-I have made all the cxplana- ton l have felt 1t my duty to make.
 Mr. Rust-Yery good Adjourned.
 January 9
 The house took up the private calendar. The matter between Representatives Rust and Dunn is in the hands of their friends 1t Is not expected that any hostile meetin Z will grow out of 1t.
 The House resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee of Thirty-Three
 MT. Nelson took the floor He said he stood here to plead for his country He did not wish to say anything that could be con- strued into favoring the secession movement on the one hand or the Republican party on IiiC OthCi. -NpINlliloLiluIIiS SlC SlOVHl1 dIu disastrous condition of the Union, Congress has done nothing in the way of arresting the evil and relieving Us from the dangers and difficulties by which we are surrounded. Gentlemen here discuss the question as if it were of a teeting and transitory impor- tanee, without considering the momentous consequences involved. The two causes which lie at the foundation of the differ ences which characterize our deliberations are, first, the pride of opinion; Second party spirit To adhere to these in the present crisis, is unworthy of the representatives of frecmen. Instead of disseminating with lightning speed the intelligence that nothing will be done, and all hope IS destroyed, they would give evidence of an earnest disposition to perform their duty, that there would be more probability of agreeing upon some plan of adjustment. He endorsed the Crittenden plan, which was rallying support everywhere
 Mir. Nelson spoke at length, and gave utter ance to Union sentiments that were received with applause by the galleries.
 Mir. Grow asked leave to introduce a resolu- tion instructing the Select Committee of Five to enquire whether any secret organization exists in the District of Columbia for seizing the Federal buildings, and whether any off cers of the city and Federal Government are