The Van Buren press., 1861-04-03
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE VAN BUREN, PRESS
by the ST. Louis and Western Telegraph
Stcbbin's Line.

Stcbbin's Line.
WAsH1NGToN, March 25th.
In the U. S. Senate, yesterday, MIR. Howe
resumed his speech in opposition to Doug
las resolution, relative to the forts and ar
eenals. In the course of his remarks, he
asked Douglas to unite with him and other
Republicans in a declaration that while we
do not propose to make war, we do not in
tend war shall be made on us.
Mr.. Douglas said if the war department
was not in possession of the information
this resolution calls for, no harm could re-
suit from such an answer. He apprehend-
ed that this information would tend to al
lay public excitement. He supposed there
was no danger as to Fort Sumter, but de-
sired to know whether Fort Pickens would
be held mareiy for intimidation. He want
ed to find out whether we arc to have peace
OF war. BE believed the policy to be
pe5ce. threat to collect revenue, and
blockade A;oforts without legal authority,
was threat to violate the constitution.
Was it wise to delude the people into the
belief that the administration was going to
do what the constitution does not permit.
MIR. Douglas said he endesvored, during the
last session when the republicans were rush
ing through bill to destroy the revenue,
to prevent it, but they would not listen to
the warning. He apprehended that an ex-
ira session would be called to undo what
needlessly and unnecessarily DONE 1t SEEM
ed impossible for the republicans to make
speeches. without impugning his motives
or assaiiing his character.
IL. L II II
las and CLARK, followed, when Mr.. Clark
inquired if the revenue could not be collect
ed on shipboard. if Congress clothed the
President with power?
Mr.. Douglas supposed they could, but
he had been speaking of laws as they are.
He regarded This as an admission that the
republicans dld not mean to collect rcvc-
enue until the laws were changed.
Mr.. Clark wished Mr.. Douglas to take
the admission as including everybody ex-
cept himself
Mr.. Douglas thought the admission So
clear that he might include all the republi-
cans in it, and said the triumph of the re-
publicans had brought disunion, and God
only knows what consequences were to
grow out of Il.
MIR. Howe asked whether he understood
that the election of Lincoln instead OF some
body else had caused the dissolution of the
Union =?
Mr.. Douglas said if he had succeeded in
defeating the republicans, thereby render
ing it certain that their policy would not
be carried out, the southern people would
have rested In security-the Union would
not have been dissolved.
Mr.. Howe inquired, what policy
Mr.. Douglas-Sectional policy. because
the republicans make war ON slavery, as a
great politicalsAnd moral evil.
Dir. howe denied that the republicans
were a sectional r--.
Mr.. Douglas said the Republican p..-.,
was based on hostility to slavery. He re-
piled to Mr.. Disadvantages argument tina,
under the law as it now stands, as to every
territory without exception, man can re-
move thither with his slave property on
equal terms with other property. The re.
publicans in organizing governments fol-
Nevada, Colorado and Dacotah, at the las,
session, did what they had not done fo,
twelve years before, and what they, for sc
long. had been abusing him (Douglas) foI
wanting to do. They did it from sense OF
justice, when they got majority. The only
motive he had for being President, was to
carry out that policy. He gave the Repub-
licans credit for adopting it after defeating
him. The Senator from Pennsylvania, Mr.
Wilmot had arrived here in time to see the
republicans repudiate the Wilmot proviso,
reject the cornerstone of the temple, and
come up to intervention and popular
sovereignty.
MIR. Howe, in tho course of the debate,
wished to know of Mr.. Douglas principles
would have saved the Union, and if the
republicans have adopted them, why was
there not peace
Mr.. Douglas replied, because the repub-
iicans would not acknowledge it, and thus
keep the people in the dark.
MIR. Breckinridge wished to reply to Mr..
Douglas. but the Senate went into cxecu-
tive session and adjourned.
ST. LOUIS, March 27.
To-day's regular Washington dispatches
say The prevalent reports that the Union
men IN the seceeded States have applied for
appointments as judicial officers. seem to
be confirmed by the nomination of CYRUS
w. Lane as Judge of the Northern and
Southern Districts of Alabama,
ihe Iribuns's Washington correspond
ence says, Capt Fox reports supplies of
provisions at Fort Sumter will enable Mai.
Anderson to ssStain his command until the
10Th April, N&e says the tort can Lo .v:..
forced only y military operations which
will require . force not at the disposal of
the President, or by strategy, with hazards
OF desperate conflict From all facts it is
evident that Sumter must be abandoned or
civil war inaigurated,
The HeraN's correspondent insists that
Fort Pickenswill be abandoned within 30
days. The commissioners arc dining. to-
night, with ambassadors at Corcoran's.
The commissioners are ON most friendly
terms with th English and French minis
tsrs.
John F. Nilsson. of Va, viii get An i'm
portant foreign mission.
In the Unitd States Senate, TODAY. the
Chair present& message from President
Lincoln, relating to resolution passed by
the Senate. asling after his opinion if it is
incompatible fith the public interests to
communicate He dispatches Of Maj. Robt.
Anderson to II War Department during
the time he hai been in command at Fort
Sumter. The President says have come
to the copclusia that the publication of it
would be inextdient.
Mr. Brecke3idge moved to take up the
resolution intrluced by him yesterday. ad-
yyW0p h.. u