The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-01-25
XXXVl Congress Second Session.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 81

AAAVl COngreSS--NcCOnQ SESSION.
| WASHINGTON. Jan. 81.
SENATE.-Mr. Hunter, from Committet
on Finance, reported the Indian Appropri'
alton Bill, and asked to be excused from
further service on the Finance Committee
He said it was evident that the party in the
minority in the Senate would soon bt
changed, and he thought it justice to himself
and the Senate that be be excused. Mr.
Hunter has been Chairman on the Finance
Committee for fifteen years. he was ex.
cused.
Mr.. Polk presented petition from the
citizens of Missouri, the signatures occupy.
ing fifteen. .quires foolscap, wrapped in the
American flag, inscribed Glove to the North
South, East and West" asking the passage
of the Crittenden resolutions.
Mr.. Slidell asked the Senate to take up
the message of the President in answer to
the resolution in relation to his appointment
of Acting Secretary of War. He also
offered resolution as follows:
Resolved, That in the opinion of the Senate,
the reasons given by the President in his mes
sage for not communicating to the Senate al
an earlier day, the fact of his having appointed
Joseph Holt Acting Secretary of War, are not
satisfactory; also
Resolved, That the ground assumed by the
President for making such an appointment
during the session of the Senate, are at vari.
ance with the whole spirit of the constitution,
| and with the tone, intent and meaning of the
act of 1895.
Mr.. Yulee, of Florida, announced the
withdrawal of himself and colleague from
the Senate. Mr.. Clay also read the with.
drawal of the Alabama Senators. II
charged the Republicans as the authors o1
the troubles which had caused secession
The Republican platform he characterized
as declaration Of war against the lives and
institutions of the south.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick endorsed his colleagues
remarks.
Mr.. Davis stated that the separation oil
Mississippi terminated his functions. In
parting, he said be felt no hostility toward
any Senator, and hoped the relations between
them might be preserved, though we must
part. If he had offended any Senator he
would now offer an apology, and all repara-
tion for such offence.
As the Senators from. Florida, Alabama
and Mississippi left the hall, all the Demo
cratic Senators crowded about them,
shaking hands. Messrs. Hale and Cameron
being the only Republicans doing so.
On motion of Mr.. Seward, the Kansas
bill was taken up. Mr.. Green withdrew
his amendment, creating Jefferson territory.
Mr.. Fitch again offered an amendment in
regard to the judiciary. Mr.. Douglas
opposed any amendment. Mr.. Seward said
it was contrary to all custom to introduce
this provision. Mr.. Fitch's amendment was
agreed to-ayes 29, nays %. The Kansas
bill was then read third time, and passed
yeas 36, nays 16.
Mr.. Crittenden's resolutions were taken
up, and Mr.. Bigler spoke at considerable
length in favor of their passage, and argued
the necessity of convention of the people
to adopt amendments to the Constitution
He urged Republicans to consider the ne.
cessity of the passage of these or similar
resolutions; he appealed to the South to
consider if its rights could not be obtained
in the Union; he opposed secession, but could
not see how they could coerce state. Go.
ercion was delusion.
Mr.. Cameron would not make speech
for, though his colleague offered the olive
branch, the other side would not listen OF
respond. He was inclined to do all he could
to save the Union.
Mr.. Green said the well known patriotism
of the Senator from Pennsylvania precluded
the necessity of watching him; but the other
side could not hear the words of patriotism
Mr.. Cameron was sorry that the Senators
who left would not wait until they heard
from Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Iyerson asked If Mr.. Cameron ap.
proved of Mr.. Bigler's speech.
Mr.. Cameron said very much, and I will
vote for bis proposition if it will save the
country.
Mr.. Salisbury thought that Cameron's
devotion to the country might well be imi.
tated.
Mr.. Cameron say to Senators from
Georgia and Alabama if they will take my
colleagues proposition, we will pass it.
Mr.. Iverson asked if he approved of the
sentiments of his colleague against coercion
On that point, said Mr. Cameron, coercion
is the last remedy.
Mr.. Green-Is it a remedy at all.
Mr.. Camer0n-It is bad remedy, and !
don't know as we shall ever resort to it.
It is certainly last remedy.
Mr.. Mason referred to the fact that the
Senator voted against the Crittenden reso.
lutions and for the amendment of the Sena.
tor from New Hampshire; he also said that
Mr.. Wade presented resolutions from Ohio
one of which was against the personal liber.
ty bill, while the Ohio Legislature refused to
repeal that bill. He wanted to show the
people the difference between profession here
and practice there.
Mr.. Cameron said Mr.. Mason seemed
anxious for an excuse for leaving the Union
He had voted as he did because he saw no
disposition to compromise from the other
side, unless he went on bended knees and
asked forgiveness. He should ask for no
forgiveness, because be had done no wrong;
but be was still willing to forgive the back
sliding south. He would do all he could to
preserve the Union, but was not to be drag.
goned or driven.
Mr.. Mason was unconscious of saving
aught to arouse the wrath of Mr.. Cameron;
he did not want an excuse to leave, but did
want an excuse to remain in the Union. Six