The national Republican., 1861-01-04
THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS,
SECOND SESSION.
Thursday, January 8, 1861.


SENATE.
On motion Of Mr.. Green, the Senate agreed
that when it adjourn to-day, it be until Saturday
next.
Mr.. Bigler presented some Pennsylvania me.
MORALS in favor of the plan Of compromise pro-
posed by Mr.. Crittenden laid over.
Mr.. Crttenden introduced his plan Of adjust.
ment, being the same proposed by him some
days since.
He also introduced a resolution providing
for submitting his resolutions to vote of the
people of the United States.
Mr.. Crittenden advocated his resolutions in
telling and eloquent speech. He hoped-it
might be a superstition, but he hoped that these
difficulties might be overcome. He had hoped
that the Senate would be equal to the times,
but il Congress could not agree, let the people,
who we're SO deeply interested in the matter, be
appealed to for settlement. He felt sure that
it would be safe in their hands. He deprecated
the influence of party affnities upon the present
difficulties.
Mr.. Baker, of Oregon, resuming his remarks
of yesterday, wished to know the grievances of
the South, because he felt sure that he was will
ing, under the circumstances, to remedy them.
He quoted General Cass as sustaining his views.
He declared that Southern Senators had admit.
ted that Congress had power to prohibit slavery
in the Territories, and quoted Mr.. Hunter as
sustaining this view. ..
MIR. Hunter declared that he had never ad.
mitted any such thing.
Mr.. Baker, resuming, argued to show that the
people Of the North did not desire to interfere
with slavery in the States. He would like the
Senator from Louisiana to point out a single
eminent Republican who announced such
doctrine.
Mr.. Benjamin replied, that at midnight John
Brown entered peaceful village in Virginia,
seized the town, and murdered its inhabitants.
citizen of Massachusetts had publicly de.
clared that John Brown was right and that
was alleged as one reason for his elevation he
was elected Governor of Massachusetts,, thus
endorsing that act. Massachusetts, had sent
Senators here who had vilified the South in the
presence of her ambassadors, and been sent
back to repeat his insults-thus making his act
that of bis State. This was interference with
slavery in the States.
Mr.. Baker said the gentleman had not met
the question. He proceeded, declaring that
the gentleman from Texas had demanded that
the North should put an end to the freedom
of speech and the press. Their own good
sense should show that this could not be done.
He was willing to yield much to brotherly feel.
|
be willing to admit into the Union all the Ter.
ritories now existing, as States. He did not
think, with the Senator, that the Government
must either acknowledge the independence OF
South Carolina, or declare war against her
General Jackson's plan for the collection Of
the revenue was ample. He closed with q
strong appeal for the Union.
The Senate then took up Mr.. Powell's re
port.
Mr.. Douglas said that no act had ever given
him more pain than being compelled to vote
for that report, which declared that no adjust
ment could give peace to the country. Con
gress had never touched the subject of slavery
without danger to the Republic. When it was
first introduced into Congress, in l8l9-'2O, il
brought the Union upon the verge Of dissolu
ton. The compromise Of that year was the
peace measure of the country. When Texas
was acquired, this line settled the question
when more new territory was acquired by the
treaty with Mexico, he had proposed the same
line to extend to the Pacific ocean. All the
Southern Senators voted for it, but the power
of the North defeated it. Out of this had
grown all the agitation which had grown uI
since. In 1885, Mr. Clay had desired that the
line be extended to the Pacific ocean, but upon
a canvass of both Houses it was discovered
! that Northern men in sufficient numbers would