Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-01-16
CONGRESSIONAL.

A. Z. Journal Of Commerce.
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. II.
SENArE.-Several Union memorials from Penn
syvania presented and referred. Mr.. Hunters res
olutions were taken up and read, as follows:
"WHEREAs, certain Forts, Magazines, Arsenals,
Dock yards and other needfu buildings, have been
placed under the Executive jurisdiction of the Unit
ed States by cesson to that effect from certain States
and it may be the desire of one more of these
States to resume the jurisdiction thus ceded, now
therefore be it,
"Resolced, That the President of the Emitted
States ought to be authorized by law, upon the ap
pcation of such Legislature or regular Convention
of the people of any such States, to retrocede this
jurisdiction to such States upon taking the proper
security for the safe keeping and return of all prop
erty of the United States, or upon paying the value
of the same if destroyed injured by the act Of any
State making such application"
Mr.. Hunter said there was no hope Of preserving |
the Union. His hope now was to be ready to form
new Union, stronger than the present one Many |
difficulties were in the way Of this project but the
love of the empire in the American mind, might &C
complish that result He reviewed the history Of
the agitation of the slavery question, which he con-
tended had induced the Southern States to believe
that their social system was not safe in the Union
without additional Constitutional guarantees for
their protection. The loss of the social system
ItlS vi StituS, duU vi Stdtc
to anarchy. He stated in FORM the demands of the
South, and declared that to these should be an
nexed veto by the South upon all matters
affecting slavery He favored Dual Executive,
founded on plan somewhat different from that
of John c. Calhoun, providing for the nominal
tion of his electors, chosen by the Sates Of candi
dates from whom the people should elect Presi-
dent. He suggested other vital reforms in the Exc
cutiye branch of the Government Mr.. II. also
favored the reconstruction Of the Supreme Court
upon the basis of equal numbers in EACH section
He did not believe coercion was proper, even if pos
sble and not possible event proper Heargued this
position at length sustained it by able argument
and illustrated it by examples drawn from
the nature fthe Federal Government lie depicted,
eoqeuntly, the ends which would follow in the train
of civil war; ami urged that it should be- possible,
avoided order to the reconstruction Of the
Government. He thought the retrocession of the
forts and arsenas to the seeding States, would TO
much to, promote this object. If The Government
did not intend to coerce the seeding States it did
not reed the forts and The arsenaS and il it did in
tend to csarcc i; should not have them. lie declared
the Union gone, but favored the assembling of
National Convention, composed of delegates from
each section of the coneeracy, to reconstruct the
Union. lie declared that Virginia would not sub
NIT to the coercion of any seeding State In COIL
clusion he appealed most eloquenty. for peace, and
closed with Il lively picture of reconstruction of
the Union.
Mr. Baker asked Mr. Hunter il, should Conven-
ton be assembled to remodel the Constitution, would
he use his influence in Virginia to maintain IL
present Constitution and laws until amendments
were decided upon.
Mr.. Hunter said he had voted for Mr.. Crittendens
resolutions, and could do more.
| Mr.. Baker only desired to know if the Senator
! from Virginia would use his influence. .- ..
Mr.. Hunter said if he had not satisfied the Sen
ator he despaired Of his power to do So
| Mr.. Harlan. of Iowa, addressed the Senate, at
lacking certain provisions Of the Fugitive Slave LAW
He defended the Republican position, and said that
the Republicans would not yield inch before Lin
coins Inauguration. He did not believe the war of
coercion would be long; it might be terrible, and
would cost the loss of no than the merchants of
New York had already lost by Southern sectional
agitation. s-.
The Senate then went into Executive Session, and
| shortly afterwards adjourned. -r.
HoUsE.-Mr. Loveoy asked leave to offer the fol-
lowing resolution: -.
"Resolrea, That in the judgment of this House
in the present state of the country it would be wise
and patriotic for the President to confer temporarily
the power of Commander in Chief of the Army and
Navy on General Scott, and charge him to see that
| the Republic receives no detriment"
Mr.. Jones and others objected. Mr.. Curtis said
the President has such right under the Constit-
ton to delegate his powers. Mr.. Branch hoped q
vote would be taken on the resolution by yeas and
nays. No further action taken on the subject Nc
Hickman asked and was excused from serving as
member of the select committee to whom was re-
ferred the late special message of the President Sc
veral private bills were passed, Wien the House
went into committee Of tue whole on the civil and
miscellaneous appropriation bill and Afterwards par
sed it. The House then adjourned. ~,