Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-20
UNITED STATES SEHaTE-EXTRA SESSION.
WASHINGTON March Is

Mr. Cowan presented the credentials Of David Wimot,
elected Senator from Pennsylvania TO supply the va
cancy caused by the resignation of Senator Cameron.
Mr.. Wilmot was sworn in and took his seat.
The ice-FrasiGent laid Defo.e senate etter from
the Governor Of Indiana enclosing the Joint resolution
OF the gem raj assembly Of that State requesting Congress
TO call convention for the amendment Of the constitu
ton,
# was laid on the table and ordered to be printed
Mr.. Douglas resolutions we're taken up.
Mr. Brec5rrdse said tls body should not dourn with
out expressing opinion upon the condition of the
country aud giving advice to the President. Since
Congress had met, the Union had been dismembered-
A an early period Of the late session strong effort
made to II. establish tran ruiy upon SECURE basis ,
but this had failed Congress having uuhappy omitted
20 present any plan Of ADJUSTMENT This body should
not tn reoe adjourn without doing something to meet
the immediate qu s;ioD presented Of peace or
Everything depended on the policy OF the administra-
ton The Inaugural had been yariorsy interpret d,
and necessary that they should have something
more than mere general declarations of peaceful intent
He had not been able 10 take the view of the
sage as the Senator'S from Illinois and Maine 10
peaceful Intent; re read Mr. ncolns language in regard
to the Union being Jnbroken the necessity OF the exc
cu0n of the laws, and the expression OF his detarmi
nation 10 occcpy and possess the public places belong
ing to the United States. The leading idea put forth
evidently that the President did recognise the
existence of the Southern Coucderacy, and that was
bis purpose IS far lie had power to execute the laws
in 81, the States, INCLUDING the seeded States.
The inference Irresistible tlat e regards il as his
imperative duty to collect the and hold the forts
everywhere though accompanied with qualification that
he would be guided by his ability to do. The evacua-
ton OF Fort Sumter proposed upon the ground
OF conclaiiCg The public mGd but because the govern.
ment did not possess the mil ary powey to hold it, The
reasons for the evacuation therefore military aud
not POLITICAL aud the inference that the President
would continue TO hold the other forts in the seeded
States
Events Transporting sat.fed him that the admnistra.
ton did not intend to pursue such policy as would
avoid boodhed The tone of the press OF the dominant
party gave them ground OF hope and the complex
Of the Cabinet did favor the idea that force would
not be used The Secretary of State though breathing
words of peace, did not hesitate that 10 certain
contingency he was in favor Of coercion The majority
of the Cabinet understood to entertain the same
views. Inc he.as ot ssnate cJnmlt,ee we're also
known to favor policy Of force.
There vas nov every danger of collision, and the
OF the country the sport OF accident aud
chance The question was should force Of arms be used
against the Southern Coufedera5y? If il were deter
mined to force let them prepare for war and organ
lie their scattered military srce5 II Pea.e /. i-e.n-
"a upon, iet them withdraw the troops, whose presence
did good. but might DO ncaleulable harm. They DO
not Disguise from themselves that besides the seeded
States egh other States were glyomy aud dscsntented
aud il coercion were resolved upon, they would pe drv
off and the last hope OF demonstrating the Union be
gone,
He thought the Senate shouli advise the President to
withdraw the troops aid trust to negotiations to heal
all Difficulties Virginia Kentucky Tennessee, aud even
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Maryland-wouid make common
with the South If coercion attempted. If
the President would withdraw his scattered and impoten
forces from the Confederate States he would give
OF peace and promote the reconstruction of the
Union. He would vote for the resolution of the Senator
from Illinois, but he would like positive measure
adopted adys ng the President to withdraw the troop
As to the collection of the in Southern ports
there were officers of the United States to collect it,
and the tresiqent power IL blockade tue pvrt3
or 10 seize vessels going into them on the charge OF
smuggling He could not see the propriety of going to
var t. lsiniap few uselsas soldiers in their present
position.
Mr. Breckenridge next considered what was neees sry to
hs done TO the government. He believed this gov
ernment the bes, earth il administered according
the Constitution bu, if otherwise conducted il would be
the very worst He did not believe the government could
be maintained upon the principles which brought the
dominant party toto power. He sorry to hear the
President declare that the eighth resolution of the CHI
cago PLATFORM concerning savefyn the Territories ss
still aE to himself and his party The denial Of pro-
lection to slavery under any circumstances by the Re-
publican party placed impossible gulf between II and
the people Of the southern States
He commended for the equality of the rights of the
people of the South In the territories and IL this de-
MED the Southern States would not remain in political
connection with those Of the North. The South
titled By her expenditures of blood and treasure to
equal share CT the ierloes md :iey HoTd never sub
nit to be hetnmed in and denied The power or ex pau
sion An impartial administration they expect and de-
mand All these dniclites were understood at the COM
mencement Of the last session Of Congress but the ma
ority of the dominant party refused to bulge one inch
or to meet the South bait way.
The committee of thirteen Of the Senate formed at
the beginning of the session. COULD not agree upon one
solitary proposition The measures of his distinguished
predecessor (hr. Crterden) were unanimously voted
against by every Republican Senator all of whom scea
Oily voted down every proposition and refused to give
one solitary guarantee In this connection he srrsignsd
with severity the OF the Republicans whu while
the Union going pieces aud petitions for an adj ist
ment we're pouring in refused to do anything. Their u
timatum consisted in declaration that Congress should
not have the power to interfere With slavery In the