The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-01-30
XXXVEtil Congress Il Session

XXXVRth Congress 2i Session.
WAsnlNGToN, Jan. 24-SESArE. Mr.
Gwin moved to take up the Pacific Railroad
f bill ..t. g.. ...
Mr.. Crittenden moved to postpone and
take up his resolutions. In this connection
he denied having authorized the publication
of the statement that he had authorized
coercion. He had said that Congress had
no power to employ force in such cases
whore force was applicable. but that at pres.
ent there was no occasion for it. a...
His motion was disagreed to, and the Pa
cific Railroad bill was taken ur Additional
names were added as co-operators.
The Senate went into Executive session
and ado lrned.
; IloUsE-M.. Hamilton of Texas desired to
offer an amendment
Mr.. Colfax, before accepting the amend
ment, wished to know wether Texas was GO
ing to remain in the Union.
Mr.. Hamilton said he could only say as
one Of its citizens that he trusted she would
not withdraw. He believed that if Congress
would trust her fairly as member of the
confederacy, that the OBJECT Of keeping her
in, and that such treatment as had been re-
Gently accorded in voting fol support of a
mounted regiment &C., would make it to
her advantage to remain in the Union. If
she withdraws, she would have no right to
enjoy mail facilities at the expense of the gov
eminent
The offered amendment, which Mr.. Colfax
accepted, extends the existing contracts fol
Texas so as to connect with the Buttcrfield
route, provided that can be done for $780,.
600, and a semi-weekly connection with New
Orleans.
The House took up tie private calen-
dar
WAsHINGToN. Jan. %. SENATE. Big
Ter presented petitions in favor of the Criten-
den resolutions.
Mr.. Polk of Missouri: presented petitions
Of same character, signed by several thous-
and persons.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
of bills. ......
House The House resumed the conSid-
Grafton Of the report of the Committee of
33. .sa
Mr.. Wilson took the floor He said he
stood here to plead for his country. lie did
not wish to say anything that could be con-
strued into favoring the secession movement
on the one hand, or the Republican party
on the other. Notwithstanding the gloomy
and disastrous condition the Union, Con-
gress has done nothing in the way of ares
ting the evil and relieving us from the dan
gers and difficulties by which we are sur
rounded. Gentlemen here discuss the ques
ton as if they were ola 1eeting and transi-
tory importance, without considering the
momentous consequences involved. The
two causes which lie at the foundation of the
differences which characterize our delibera.
tons are, first the pride of opinion and party
spirit. To adhere to these in the present
crisis, is unworthy of the represer tations Of
freemen. Indead of discriminating with
lightning speed, the intelligence that nothing
will be done and all hope is destroyed, they
would give evidence of an earnest DISPOSE
ton to perform their duty, there would be
more probability of agreeing upon some
plan of adju;tment.
He advocated the Crittenden plan, which
was rallying support everywhere
The House resumed the consideration of
the report of the Committee of 49,
Mr.. Rust, of AK, as a member of that
Committee, said that he had entered upon
his duty with desire to do what he could
to give peace, and regretted that his efforts
met with no proper response. 1t appeared
to him that John Brown was the matyr and
the hero of the Republican party.
Mr. Dunn, of Ind, said that the Chicago
Platform expressly condemned all John
Browns raids. As member of that Com
mittee he had discharged his duty, without
reference to the Chicago Platform, as to the
Republican party sympathizing with that
raid, everybody North and South knew it
was an infamous libel on the Republican
party, and he was surprised that any gem
tlenan in this time Of the country's peril
could give circulation to it. lSensation.l
Mr.. Rust said with reference to infamous
libel made use of by the gentleman from
Indiana, no, he is responsible for it. As
this is time Of war we must wage war; and
desire to know whether the gentleman an
nounced to the House and the country that
he was responsible for what he said
want to know that if he is for war am will
ling to accommodate him with war.
Mr.. Dunn. This is free country and
the gentleman can take any measure or
mode Of redress he plcascs