Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-01-14
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wAsHrSsrOS, Jan. Y.


The proceedings Of the Senate were opened
with prayer
Mr Cameron asked whether vote could be
taken 70 allow persons 20 the lo0r Of the Senate.
Mr roombs objected
The President decided that the rule might be
suspended by ununiuious consent
Further objections being made, vast number
Of ladies aud gentlemen retired 70 the lobby
s0oms. The Diplomats Corps Is In attendance.
Al least one thousand ladies and twelve hundred
gentlemen are IN the galleries and Il Is impossi.
Ole for any more 70 obtain admission.
A motion % fll the vacancy in the Board Of
Regents In the Smithsonian Institution was laid
on the table.
Mr. Gwin moved that the Senate proceed TO the
special order-the consideration oithe Presidents
Mr. seward took the floor.
Mr.. Seward said Congress reassembled this win
ter IN the presence OF arrangement of business
and the disturbance OF public rs we'll private
credit, and In the face OF seditious combinations
10 overthrow the Union. The alarm is appalling
Tor the Union Is not more the body than Liberty
is the soul Of the na'ion, and he avowed his ad.
herence % the Union and its integrity in all is
parts, with my friends with my party, with my
State with my country, or without either, AS
they may determine in every event, whether OF
peace or war, with every consequence ofhOnOr or
dishonor, Of life or death.
Aner stating that this Union cannot be saved
by mutual recriminRtiOns, or Continuance Of De
bate on the constitutional power Of Congress over
the subject Of slavery in the territories or by dis
cussing the right OF the Federal Government TO
coerce seeding States into obedience, be says if
this Union Is to go on, the latter question will
give way to q more practicable one, whether the
'eeeding States have right TO cOerce the remain
ing members TO acquiesce in dissolution.
He abhored civil war. Did not know what the
Union wonld be worth If saved by the sword; yet
! he did agree with those who desire TO avert the
calamity and advise continental or unopposed
separation with view TO what they call recon
stFuetion Of the Union
The Union can be dissolved, not by secession,
but by the voluntary consent of the people of the
| United States. Congress ought not to remain i'm
passive II ought III IL can, 10 redress any real
grievances 70 The offended States, aud then ought
to supply the President with all means necessary
TO maintain the Union, in full exhibition and dis
| Greet exercise Of is authority Beyond tins, with
| proper activity on the part Of the Executive,
the responsibility OF saving the Union belongs 20
the people, and they are abuHdantly competent 10
/ discharge it.
Mr. S argued at length on the advantages OF
union, and effects Of disunion, and Proceeded
What Is the ground Of discOntentl II is that the
disuniOnists did not accept as conclusive the ar
gnments urged in behalf Of the successful candi-
date in the late canvass; denied their own argu-
ments against him were more satisfactory 10 his
supporters. He said the Constitution didn't re
/ quire the arguments OF one party 10 be satisfac
| tory 70 another, and said the constitutional rem
edy for this inevitable dissatisfaction, is in re-
/ neWed debate, and ultimate rehearing in a subse
Quent election.
He denied that the Republicans perverted pow.
er for the purposes Of oppression, for they never
/ held power.
! After further remarks, he said heagreed that as
/ concerns the bOndsInan, the laws of the State
/ within which man is property are supreme. and
that on his escape to another State the COnstitu-
/ tiOn regards him bondsman who shall be deliy-
cred on claim to the party TO whom his service is
/ due, while thinking acts Of Congress on the sub
| ject should be modified to protect freemen from
| being carried into slavery.
He argued that all the laws Of States, free or slave,
relating to this class Of persons, oontrsvenng the
Constitution OF the United States, ought 70 be re-
pealed, and willing to vote for amendment 20
! the Constitution that Congress should never have
the power to abolish or interfere with slavery with
/ in the States. If Kansas was admitted under the
I Wyandotte Constitution and the organic laws Of
other territories be repealed be could vote 70 autho
/ rze admission Of two new States, which should in
cude them, reserving the right TO offer the sub-di
visions, whenever necessary iEto several cOnven-
lent States But he did not md that such ressrva-
tons could be constitutonally made. Withsut hem
the ultsrior embarrassments would outweigh all the
/ immediate advantages Of such a measure prefer
when the angry eXctements Of the House shall have
subsided, one, two or three years hence, cOnven-
tion Of the people to decide whether and what
| amendments Of the national organic law ought to
he was ready to vote for any properly guaranteed
laws to prevent mutual invasions Of the states BY
citizens Of other States. and punish those who shall
| ald or aDet them Lastly, he was In favor OF the
Mr.. seward concluded by saying:
/ / shall cheerfully support the government in
Whatever prudent and energetic efforts It shall make
| TO preserve public peace and MAINTAIN the Untou,
advising only moderation, forbearance and ooncia-
on, and BY expressing the conviction that the hour
was not yet come for this great nation to fall Woe,
! shall continue and endure, and men in after times
shall declare that this generation, which saved the
passed in magpihcence even that one which laid its
foundation IN the eternal principles Of liberty, JUS
/ tice and humanity.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Clark, Of Missouri, after reading a telegraphc
account that the Post Office, Sub Treasury and Gus
tom House had been taken possession Of by the Uni
ted States troops, under order from Gen. Scott,
explained lest the account might deceive the cOun-
try, that all these Offices located in the same
Hmf A IN nh NJ fhsn Of
( At St. Louis, to justify such act, he knew not
The people there so far have been quiet and loyal
in session, and will consider what are nee
sssary fer the preparation of the Union Missouri
such steps as her honor interest aud safety require
and this she will do iu her own way and time.
Mr.; tenton and others on the Republican side OBJ
Amer further remarks Mr.. Clark asked him to offer
resolution calling the Secretary Of War to COM
municats whether the Post Office, sub-Treasury and
Custom House situated In ST. Louis have been taken
possession OF by the United States troops and il
BY whose orders; and whether there has been any
attempt BY the State OF municipal authorities 10 i'm
properly interfere with said building, whether INF
/ public property has been threatened.
he said be did not believe the report.
He was again called 10 order on the Republican
side and objection was made to the reception Of the
Mr. CLARK asked whether he could move suspsn-
The Speaker replied that could be done only on
Mr. Clark hoped the majority of the House would
not continue to object TO the resolution, and coune
nance military despotism.
The Spe tlter said objection having been made the
resolution could not be entertained.
The Speaker laid before the House, letter signed
by the Mississippi delegation, stating that they hac
received official information that their State hac
passed an ordinance through Convention r present
has withdrawn from the Federal Government al
powers heretofore delegated to 1t, and that they
| and withdraw themselves from the further delibera
tons Of that body While they regret the necessity
for this action they approbste it and will return