Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-03-26
o. s. senats-special sssaion

WASHINGTON, March 25.-On motion of Mr..
Hale, his resolution for the election of Ser.
geant.at.Arms and Door-keeper was laid over
for the present.
On motion of Mr.. Powell. il was resolved that
the President be requested to communicate to
the Senate, if not incompatible with the public
interest, the dispatches from Major Anderson
to the War Department, during the time he has
been in command Of Fort Sumter.
Mr.. Howe resumed his speech in opposition to
Mr.. Douglas resolution, calling for Information
relative to Southern forts, &c
He showed the difficulties of procuring
amendments to the Constitution, which Douglas
advocated as a remedy for the troubles, and
argued that the recognition of the seeded
States would not produce peace, and the issue
is between loyal citizens and those who defy the
authorities of the government. He said the
Unionists in the seeded States were borne down
by tyranny from which they ought to be reliev-
ed. He asked Douglas to unite with him and
| the Republicans in declaration that while we
do not intend to make war, we do not intend
war shall be made on us. !.
Mr.. Douglas said il the War Department was
not In possession of the information this resolu-
ton calls for, no harm could result from such
an answer. He apprehended that this informa-
lion would tend to allay public excitement-
nc BuppObeu lueT6 was uO uHURer as TO E0rJ
Sumter, but desired to know whether Fort Pick
ems would be held merely for irritation. q
He wanted to find out whether we are TO have
peace or war. He believed the policy to be
peace. The threat to collect the revenue and
blockade the ports without legal authority was
threat to violate the Constitution. Was IL wise
to delude the people into the belief that the Ad
ministration was going to do what the Constitu-
ton does not permit. 9ato .a' ..t.
Mr.. Howe said the Senator insisting on sum
moning the people to provide means for getting
the revenue, and summons the Government to
abandon the revenue.
Mr.. Douglas replied that he endeavored, du-
ring the laet session. when the Republicans
were rushing through bill to destroy the reve
nue., to prevent it; but they would not listen to
the warning, and he apprehended that an extra
session would be called to undo part of what
was recklessly and unwittingly done.
II seemed impossible for the Republicans to
make speeches without impugping his motives,
or assailing his character. ~
Mr.. Howe said he had opposed the amend
ments he (DOuglas) proposed, with a view Of in
suring safety and equality, and restoring peace,
unity and fraternity to the whole country.
Mr.. Clark, interrupting, said he was one who
chose to stand by the Constitution as IL is, be-
| lieving 1t better than entertaining compromise.
Mr.. Douglas-No doubt the Senator enter
tains that opinion, even If disunion was the in
evitable consequence, and would prefer war to
amendments to the Constitution.
Mr.. Clark said he could Judge of the amend
ments only when proposed, and deprecated
war.
/ Mr.. Douglas-Yet when the question Of war
or amendments was proposed, he understood
Mr.. Clark to be against All compromises.
Mr.. Clark distinctly believed he could stand
on the Constitution better than anything else
and avoid war by taking that position. Tn,
time was not far distant when the laws woul(
be enforced all over the Union, without the us'
of the bayonet. staeitars a.a. 3.
Mr.. Douglas-Still, no one denies that seven
States have expelled federal authority.
Mr.. Clark inquired whether the Postofic
i Department did not run mails through thos
States.
Mr.. Douglas believed they did, but with tn
consent of those States, but letters might b.
opened without punishment.
Mr.. Clark inquired IL the revenue couldn't b
collected on shipbosrd, if Congress clothed th'
! the President with power. =
Mr.. Douglas supposed they could, but he ha,
been speaking of laws as they are. He regard
ed this as an admission that the Republican
did not mean to collect revenue until the, law
were changed. -, .e.. .Ta3.
Mr.. Clark wished Mr.. Douglas to take th
| admission as including nobody but himself. 3
Mr.. Douglas thought the admission 60 clea
that he might include all the Republicans in II
!. and said the triumph of the Republicans hat
v brought disunion, and God only knew what con
n eeuuences were to grow out of IL.
: Mr.. Howe asked whether he understood tbs
the election Of Lincoln Unsteady Of somebod
"a else had caused dissolution Of the Union.
", Mr.. Douglas said II he had succeeded
3 defeating the Republicans, thereby renderin
certain that that policy wouldn't be carried ou
the Southern people would have rested In sec,
rity, and the Union would not have been di
p solved. pap tp.. asN v
. Mr.. Howe inquired what policy2 1s7
!. MIR. Douglas replied, sectional policy, becau'
Dt the Republicans make war on slavery as
great political and moral evil s1aat ail 4, /,
N Mr.. Howe denied that the Republicans were
ID sectional party. f...q
el Mr.. Douglas said the Republican party
10 based on hostility TO slavery. He replied to N
ly Breckinridge's argument, that under the Law
il now stands, as to every territory without G
cepton, man can remove thither with
r. slave property on equal terms with other pro
10 erty. The Republicans, In organizing Cover
meuts for Nevada, Colorado and Dacomh,
K the last session, did what they had not done
th 10 wears before, and did what they for so lo
q had abused him (Mr. Douglas) for wanting
do.
IL, They did itfrom sense Of Justice, when th
got the majority. The only motive he had