Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-18
CONGRESSIONAL.

sKSArE.-Yesterday, after the close Of our
report
The Senate having under consideration the de-
Mr. Hunter moved to amend by adding to the
bill: "to enable the Secretary Of the Navy to carry
out the conditional contract made by him with
the Chiriqui Improvement Company, 1900 600 !"
After some discussion the amendments was
passed-yeas IS, nays
Mr. Fitch moved to amend the bill by adding
tsSl35 GOO for the use Of the Superintendent Of
yeas 81, nays 8.
Mr.. Green offered an amendment relative to the
transportation of mails between New York and
San Francisco ria Panama; which amendment
When the bill was read third time, and
passed.
The special order for the day 1.-THE Pacific Rail-
The question being put upon the adoption of
the amendment previously offered by Mr.. Benja-
man, relation to the grants Of the road the yeas
were 81, nays IL.
Mr.. Rice offered an amendment providing for
connecting road from Superior City to the north
ernmost Of the two proposed railroads, via ST.
Paul, Mimi which was lost-yeas IL, nays 81.
After protracted debate upon the bill, the Sem
ate went into executive session; after which, at
quarter past S, the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-After our reporter left
Mr.. Thomas, Of Tenn, said the institution of
slavery was not only constitutional, but conferred
blessings on the slave and was necessary to full
development OF the South. The fathers of the
Republic not only recognized Its constutionality
but In owning and transmitting slaves to their
poserty they had left the weight of their author
ity In its favor In the opposition to this nstitu.
ton the republican party bad grown into power,
and had succeeded In obtaining possession of the
Government. Their principles were Ia direct
hostility to the interests Of the South secession
was but its logical result; and he, for one ap-
proved Of secession under existing circumstances
He denied the right Of the Government to coerce
seeding State, and said that the South was de.
termined to have equality In the Union, or indie
pendence out Of 1t.
Mr.. Sickles denied the right Of secession, ap-
proved the course Of Maj Anderson, and said that
while 1t would be difficult to get a regiment
to march from New York into a seeding State
for the purpose Of coercion, they all ready 10
defend the national flag, no matter where Ii was
hoisted; and II Southern Confederacy was
formed, 1t was the duty Of the North to extend
over it territorial control.
Mr. Ashley repudiated the idea Of a peaceful
| secession and dissolution Of the Union. The
Union must be preserved at all hazards, and he
would use all the force at the command of the
Government to put down secession and enforce
the Federal laws.
Mr. Perry, Of Me said that New England
could live without the South much better than the
South could live without New England. He
reviewed the present wealth and future resources
| of New England, and said that as long as the
South resisted by force the execution of the laws
New England would hold no parley nor offer any
compromise, but would meet such treason with
war. The Union, he said, must and shall be pre-
served
The committee then rose, and the House ad.
journed.