The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-11
WASHINGTON, Jan. Z, 1861


The House was not in session on Saturday.
The Senate had the Pacific Railroad Bill,
passed by the House, under consideration
Seward opened the discussion with one of his
finished, ornate speeches, prepared with care,
and detailing with some exactncss the ma
tional objects which would be gained by the
passage of the bill. Seward speeches are
better in matter than in manner, always
Our limits will not admit of further state
ments of the debate. An amendment oil
some triiling Importance was made to the bill
in opposition to the wishes of some of its
friends, who resisted all amendments on the
ground that tho tendency Of amendments was
to destroy the bill.
The condition Of things with the various
compromise committees remain about the
same. On Friday and Saturday the Repub'
licans held secret caucus, supposed to DO on
matters connected with the public difficult
ties. No votes wero taken, but tits generally
understood that the general feeling was
against any compromise that would in any
way conflict with the Republican idea Of op'
position to slavery in the territories, The
debates were earnest but in good temper.
Ii is understood hero that the authorities
of the District are quietly, in conjunction
with the federal authorities, pscparing to
prevent any outbreak when Lincoln is inaug'
uratcd. The southern disunionists in Con.
gress from Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi
are telegraphing home to the States to sccedC
ut once. Toombs tclegraphed to the Gov.
of Alabama TO seize Forts Pulaski and Macon.
Ought he not to be arrested for treason
the overt act being committed here? This
question is agitatcd heY, lie has the floor
for speech in the Senate to-day, and re-
bcllious one of the worst sort is expected
He means to speed his lastarrow and 60 home
to Georgia tomorrow to take his seat in the
Convention which assemblies there to-day,
having been elected a member.
said in my last letter that Mr.. Morse Of
our State, on the Committee OF 80, was call
ed out of the Committee Room when the vote
on Mr.. Adams proposition to admit New
Mexico as State was taken. The Commit
teCthayc rule that if any vote be taken du-
ring the absence of member, he can. If he
pleasos, afterwards record his vote. Avail
inc himself of this privilege, Mr.. Morse has,
we learn, recorded his vote against Mr.. Ad-
ans resolution that it was expedient and
proper to admit New Mexico as State, and
that an enabling act be prepared for that
purpose.
The measure was brought forward as n
peace measure to settle the Territorial ques-
ton, but it was rcpudiated by the South and
will not be urged by Republicans. To show
the logged pertinacity Of Southern men in
urging their extreme views let us restate as
far rs We outsiders could learn ii, a little
incident that occurred in the Committee Of
80 few days ago. In speech from one Of
the most moderate and reasonable Of the
Southern men in favor Of 30 amending the
Constitution rs, by its authority to recognise
and protect slavery in all territory now in the
Union and herca1rtO Be acquired, soath Of
So So he closed by saying to the Northern
members that concessions must be made. II
no. made now they (the Republicansl would