Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-04-04
Extra Session of the United States Senate
WAsulycroY, Tuesday, March 2G.

/
Mr.. Breckenridge spoke at some length lie
said If Republican statesmen remain firm ~
their determination there can he 10 other result
than to drive the border States into anlon
with the Confad States II the border
slave States should hold Convention, which
seemed probable. and the non slayeholdmg
States should deem it their duty to reject the
propositions such Convention might make
disruption Of the Union was inevitable to the
extent Of fifteen States, and at 10 distant any
they would be the largest Coniederacy
Mr. Douglas replied to Mr. Breckenridge, re
citing points in his former speech + show thai
the sIayeholding States have 10 complaint oI
make, as they have their Just proportion and
right in all the territories. and that there Is
an equitable division on the line of 81 a halt
degree further South than is claimed in Mr
Cnttenden s propositions. Inc senator from
Kentucky had not attempted 10 dsproye this
and he knew that the territories OF Colorado
Nevada and Dacotah had been organized on the
basis Of the Kansas Nebraska bill. All these
territories were organized on the non-nteryen.
tian principle, leayUg the people to decide tho
slavery question. subject only to Constitutional
limitation, leaving 1t to the Courts to decide
what that Limitation H. This IS all the South
ever asked. Although the Republicans had
abandoned some Of their essential principles, he
Douglas) did not believe the best interests OF
the country would be promoted by the exercise
Of their power. Still, be preferred Union
under a Republican administration to none att
all, inasmuch rs they have recognized the
rights OF the Sonth il the territories, and not
attempted to repeal The slave code OF Ne"
Mexico. This fact should be proclaimed by
every loyal Union man IL was all he asked
He demanded that every fact and truth that
could be uttered should be uttered by every
man to allay sectional strife, and 70 calm the
irritation IN the sayeh0ldlng states and restore
reason III order that We may Hereafter succeed
in securing such Constitutional guarantees as
shall prevent CIVIL strife and restore the Union.
(Applausc.)
Mr.. Breckinridgc replied, saying he regretted
that be bad not seen the evidence that the Re
pubhcans had abandoned their principles The
Union could not be saved by persuadng the
people that Republicans have abandoned the
principles to which they still adhere Such
declaratiOnsarc calculated to produce injurious
effects. The President recognizes qualified
property in slave labor within slave States, but
at the same time in bis inaugural he recognizes
the enuncation in the Chicago platform that
the normal condition Of all the territories is
freedom THIS is the conviction and principle
Of the majority on this hJor as well US Of the
Pfcsidcn; and his party. VAST not bcltting
to say that the Republicans had abandoned
their essential principles when all their ma
chincry is leyeled agains. slavery? lie would
be glad to sec the Republicans driven from
power in order that these questions might be
adjusted on constitutional principles.
Mr.. Douglas said Mr.. Breckenridge would not
go back to Kentucky and tell bis people that
they stand better iq&s~2ect to the territories
than ever before, w'EleLe Brecknridge) would
not deny that tbs WIS the case lie (DJugas)
desired that Kentucky and every other State
should know the Gct. lie too desired to put
TIE Republican party out Of power, buthe would
not foster unknd feelings in the South for party
purposes lie would tell the truth about th,
Republicans, even if il operated to their credit
Mr. Breckenridge suggested that Mr.. Douga'
nov ask the Republicans here the reason oi
emitting in the territorial bills any ailusion
the prohibition Of sAteIy.
Mr. Douglas cp,el that they had said the,
% acted from patriotic considerations, to Pre-
vent any further disruption Of the Union. X,
wanted to crush down every disunonist in Ken
tacky. (Applaus, lie wanted TO strengthen
his Mr. Breckinridgo,) hands. The Senate
had told hIm Of lis devotion 10 the Union, az,
ho (Mr DuuglQs) wanted to save the cOuntrl
The valuable services oe the Senator from kea
lucky for the next SIX years lie wanted &
strengthen ms hands and the hands Of ever,
, other man, and to show that Kentucky is safe
, even under Republican administration. ii
wanted to put down secession in every State 0
the Uu0n
Tie question was then taken on Mr. Grimes
motion to lay Mr. Douglas resolution upon tn
table Carried. % against IL. Adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, March 27,
The Chair submitted a message from the Pres
ident stating that he considers it inexpedient t
communicate to the Senate Maj Anderson's de
spatches at present.
THURSDAY March q.
Mr. Trum1ull offered resolution that, i
; the opinion Of tho Senate, the true way to pre-
serve the Union is to enforce the laws of tn
Union; that resistance to their enforcement
whether under the name of anti coercion or IN
: other name, is an act of encouragement to di'
union; that it IS the duty OF the President
use all the means in his power to hold and pro
tect the public property OF the U S and cniorc
the laws thereof as well in the States of Sout
: Carolina, Georgia, Florida Mississippi, Alabama
, Louisiana and Texas MS within the other State
' of the Union.
Mr.. Sumner moved that the Senate 20 int
executive session. which after some debate WI
l agreed to.
e On opening the doors, Messrs. Baker an
Bright were appointed committee, in aoeorC
ance with resolution, to wait on the Presider
and inform him that the Senate was ready
I adjourn. Several executive messages were n
ceiycd, and the Senate again went into exccutiN
session subsequently The resolution inyOlyn
Y or $1,000 for the purchase Of tho annals {
9 Congress and register of debates was DISGUISE
$ and postponed.
= The President having no further communici
ton 10 make, the Senate at o'clock adjournc
!. sia- die.