Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-01-15
CONGRESSIONAL.

WASHINGTON, Jan. II.
SENATE.-Several Union memorials from Penn
sylvania presented and referred. Mr.. Hunters res
olutions were taken up and read as follows:
"WHEREAs, certain Forts, Magazines, Arsenals
Dock yards and other needful buildings have been
placed under the Executive jurisdiction of the Unit
ed States by cesSon to that effect from certain States
and it may be the desire Of one more of these
States to resume the jurisdiction thus ceded, now
therefore be it.
"ReSoLUed That the President of the United
States ought to be authorized by law, upon the ap
pfication of such Legislature or regular Convention
of the people of any such States to rerocede this
jurisdiction to such States upon taking the proper
security for the safe keeping and return of all prop
erty of the United States upon paying the value
of the if destroyed injured by the act of any
State making such application"
Mr.. Hunter said there no hope of preserving
the Union. His hope now was to be ready 10 form
a new Union, stronger than the present one. Many
difficulties in the way of this project, but the
love of the empire in the American mind might &C
compliSh that result He reviewed the history of
the agitation Of the slavery question, which he
tended, had induced the Southern States to believe
that their social system not safe in the Union
without additional Constitutional guarantees for
their protection. The loss of the social system
the loss of moral status and the reduction of State
to anarchy. He stated in form, the demands of the
South, and declared that to these should be an
nexed 4 veto by the South upon all matters
affecting slavery. lie favored a Dual Executive,
founded a plan somewhat different from that
of John c. Calhoun, providing for the nomina-
tion of his electors, chosen by the States of cand
dates from whom the people should elect Presi-
dent. He suggested other vital reforms in the Exc
cutive branch of the Government. Mr. H. also
/ favored the reconstruction Of the Supreme Court
upon the basis of equal numbers in each section
He did not believe coercion was proper, even if pos
sible andnot possible evenifproper. Heargued this
Ill
and illustrated 1T by numerous examples drawn from
the nature of the Federal Government He depicted
eloqeuntly, the ends which would follow in the train
of civil war; ami urged that it should be, if possible
avoided order to secure the reconstruction of the
Government He thought the retrocession of the
forts and arsenaS to the seeding States, would do
much TO promote this object. If the Government
did not intend TO cuerce the seeding States it did
not need the forts ard the arsenas and if it did in
tend to it should not have them. lie declared
the Union gone, but favored the assembling of a
National Convention, composed OF delegates from
each section of the cOnfederacy, TO reconstruct the
Union. lie declared that Virginia would not sub
NIT to the coercion of any seeding State In con-
cluson, he appealed most eloquenty for peace, and
closed with lively picture of reconstruction of
the Union
Mr. Baker asked Mr.. Hunter if, should Conven-
ton be assembled to remodel the Constitution would
he use his influence in Virginia to maintain Il e
were decided upon.
Mr.. Hunter said he had voted for Mr.. Crttenden S
resolutions, and could do
! Mr. Baker only desired to know if the Senator
| from Virginia would use his influence
| Mr. Hunter said if he had not satisfied the Sem
| ator he deSparcd Of his power to do so.
| Mr. Harlan of Iowa, addressed tho Senate, at
lacking certain provisions Of the Fugitive Slave Law
He defended the Republican position and said that
the Republicans would not yieLd an inch before Lin
coins inauguration He did not believe the war of
coercion would be long; it might be terrible, and
would cost the loss of no than the merchants of
! New York had already lost by Southern sectional
| agitation.
The Senate then went into Executive Session, and
| shortly afterwards adjourned
HoUsE.-Mr. Loveoy asked leave to offer the fol-
| lowing resolution:
! "ResOlced That in the judgment of this House
in the present state of the country it would be wise
and patriotic for the President to confer temporarily
! the power of Commandment Chief of the Army and
! Navy on General Scott and charge him to see that
! the Republic receives no detrment"
Mr.. Jones and others objected. Mr.. Curtis said
the President has such right under the ConStitu-
ton to delegate his powers. Mr.. Branch hoped a
I vote would be taken the resolution 10y yeas and
nays. No further action taken the subject Mr.
! Hickman asked and excused from serving a
member of the select committee to whom was re-
ferred the late special message Of the President Sc
! vera private bills passed, Wien the House
| went into committee OF tue whole on the civil and
miscellaneous appropriation bill and afterwards pas
sed it. The House then adjourned.
| Important from Washington City.
! WAsHsINGTON, Jan. lit is discussed here, in