The national Republican., 1861-01-22
THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS,
SECOND SESSION.
Monday, January 81, 1861.
SENATE.

Mr.. FOX, OF missourl, presenteu memorial
comprising fifteen quires of signatures, and
Louis, and asking the adoption Of the Critten.
den amendments to the Constitution.
Mr.. Sdel moved to take up his resolution,
declaring that the reasons given by the Presi
dent for negecting to inform the Senate Of the
appointment of Joseph holt as Secretary of
War, until considerable period after said sp
pointment was made, are not satisfactory to the
Senate, aud that said action was in derogation
of the privileges Of the Senate. Objection be.
ing made, Mr.. Sldel said he would call it up
tomorrow.
Mr.. Yulee, of Florida, announced that in
consequence of official intelligence of the Sc
cession of the State of Florida, his colleague
and himself felt that they we're no longer mem
bers of the Senate He read a valedictory ad.
dress, citing the reasons which had induced
the action of Florida in seeding from the
Union for her own safety.
Mr.. Mallory, of Florida, followed in state
ment Of the causes which led to the withdrawal
of the State and her Senators. Florida did
not secede from the Union made by our fathers,
but from Government usurped-irom danger
and wrong and insult.
Mr.. Clay, Of Alabama, announced, on behalf
of himself and Mr. Fitzpatrick, the secession
of Alabama from the Union and the withdrawal
of her Senators.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick followed, expressing his con.
currence in all his colleague had said.
Mr.. Davis, of Mississippi, announced the Sc.
cession Of Mississippi from the Union, arguing
ia his address the right of secession, and vindi.
eating the sovereignty of the States.
At the close of these proceedings, the Sena.
tors from Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi,
formally withdrew, the Democratic and few
Republican Senators bidding them farewell by
shaking hands.
The Senate then took up the bill for the ad-
mission Of Kansas into the Union.
Mr.. Fitch, of Indiana, introduced an amend.
ment establishing judiciary district within
the limits of the new State which amendment
was agreed to, by u vote Of yeas 29, nays 20.
The bill was then read the third time, and
passed-yeas Sc, nays l3.
The Senate then took up the resolutions of
Mr.. Crittenden proposing certain amendments
to the Constitution Of the United States as a
settlement of the present difficulties.
Mr. Biger, of Pennsylvania, in lengthy
speech, advocated the adoption of the amend
ment. lie reviewed at length the present con.
troversy, which he contended had grown out of
the abolition party at the North meddling with
things which they have nothing to do with. He
denied the right Of secession, but contended
that coercion was disunion in its worst form
and closed by declaring that Pennsylvania was
for the Union, and, as a loyal son, he would
stand by her forever.
Mr.. Cameron said he regretted that larger
number of Senators had not listened to the re.
loving as they were, he wished the Senators who
had withdrawn this morning had remained to
hear those patriotic sentiments.
Mr.. 1verson, of Georgia, asked the Senator if
he approved of the remarks of Mr.. Bigler.
Mr.. Cameron said, if that would save the
country, he would 60 for it, or even further.
Mr.. Iverson inquired if he approved of that
portion agajest coercion.
Mr.. Cameron said that was a bad remedy.
He was disinclined to use it, and if he did use
it, it would be the very last Of all remedies.
| Mr.. Mason called attention to some recent
votes of Mr.. Cameron, as showing the difference
between profession and practice.
Mr.. Cameron responded, that the difference
between him and the Senator from Virginia was,
that he Mr.. C.) wanted an excuse to remain in
the Union, while that Senator wanted an ex-
cuse to go out.
Mr. Mason responded, declaring that he and
posterity would be deeply grateful to him if that
Senator would give an excuse for him to re-
main in.
The debate was continued by Messrs. Cam.
eron, Salisbury, and Crittenden.
And, at 4.45 o'clock, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The Speaker laid before the House letter
from the members from Alabama, Withdrawing
themselves from the fu ther legislation of the
House, owing to the recent action of that State,
in passing a secession ordinance. 1t was laid
on the table and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. LOvejoy presented the memorial of
Methodist clergymen of Illinois, asking for
protection from persecution for their religious
opinions, and mentioning that one of their
number was recently hung in Texas.
The memorial was laid on the table.
Mr.. Colfax introduced a bill, which was re.
ferred to the Committee on the Post Office and
Post Roads, as follows:
Be IL enacted dc, That in all States which
are or may hereafter be situated as above
(meaning the secession movement and the alb.
sence of Federal officers, the Postmaster Gen
eral is hereby directed to discontinue the postal
services for such period of time as in his judg
ment the public interests may require, and shall
report his action to Congress.
On motion OF Mr.. Morris, of Illinois, a reso
luton was adopted, instructing the Committee
on the Judiciary to inquire into the propriety
Of so amending the neutrality law so as ia
prevent armed expeditions from being fitted
out in one State to help seeding States, OF
those in hostility against the Federal Govern
ment.
Mr.. English, of Indiana, asked leave to offer
resolution, setting forth the present difficulties
in the country, and proposing, as a remedy, that
the select committee of thirty-three be instructed
at once to take such measures as may give the
Crittenden compromise practical effect.
The House refused to suspend the rues-67
against 93.
Mr.. English wished it to be understood the
Republicans would not permit vote.
Mr.. Grow. The Republicans will choose their
own time to vote.
Mr.. Nandever offered resolution, but after
wards Withdrew it, asserting that Conpress has