Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-09

had carefully anayzed the inaugural for the purpose of
ascertaaing distinctly and certainly what was the policy
OF the new Administration and he came to the conclu-
sion that il the wish and purpose OF the President 10
pursue peaceful policy aud avoid war. He reoiced
10 be able TO arrive at that conclusion. This was the
whole substance of what he yesterday said or desired to
sav.
The Senator from Texas thought the expression Of tbs
oponion or conclusion calculated to have bad ei-
feet OF ;hc country; but it struck him r Dougas that
if he country could secure in the belief thai they
are TO have peacC-ro civil war; srmes mustered into
cordict- would have happy eject. lie was sure every
man who loved this glorious Union, for 1t was glorious
and even dearer to him now than ever before-eyery
man who loved his kind and proud OF being an
American ought TO rejoice in the belief that peace can
be maintained
If he were allowed Judge of the various speeches OF
the Senator from Texas he forced to the conclusion
that the Senator did regard the question OF peace as
he did The Senator had told them more than once that
they could take their choice between peace and war and
that he did not But he (Nr Doughs) cared-and
therein consisted the difference between the Senator aud
himself. Because he was desirous of peace, he was
snxious to ascertain what to be the policy OF the ad
mins;ratOn.
lie had arrived at his conclusions candidy and fairly
and had expressed his qualification at the result. If he
had arrived the conclusion that the inaugural means
war he would have denounced it. He was with the
President as far the President was for peace and
would be against him when he departed from that line
OF policy.
The Senator from Texas was right when he said
"woTds will not answer much lcngcr." lie may well
look the facts in the face He feared that Forts Pickens
and Sumter could remain in the possession of the
federal government much longer. There was time
when Fcrt Sumter could have been reinforced He be-
lies,d it could have been reinforced lie believed 1t
cOull not be reinforced without the use OF at least
ten thousand men by land and sea-
There we're but few to serve the guns who would
scCn exhausted and there not bread salt enough
in the fort to last thirty days There must be prompt
action in tie direction Of peace How should be done
lie thought the President must peace, or It was
time for Congress to be IN session, and tco hundred H0ti
sand mex i the fsid and arrangements made for war
If there be peace all rejoice but if war, he could
contemplate predict what will be the state OF the
country.
The Senator from Texas said he remained here because
his name continues be called but according to his own
doctrine be is foreigner His affections were with Bis
own country while his Mr.. DOuglas were with his own
M Wgial explained why he remained here was tha
he had no ocia information that Texas has abolished
the Office of United States Senator. When he should
be 50 notified he would file notice OF his withdrawal At
the desk and, if after being 70 informed, his name
should continue to be call d, he should answer to 1t If 1t
ued his convenience, and if called upon to vote, he
would probably give his reasons for voting, and regard
this as L very respectable public meeting.
As the Senator from Illinois seemed to be speaking for
the admiGs stratOn, aud mastery Inactivity would
not do he would ask whether the Senator would advise
ems and the withdrawal OF the federal Ing from the bor
ders Of the Confederate States aud effort 10 be made
to levy tribute foreign goods!
Mr. Douglas rel lied that he part Of the admin
straion and therefore could speak for it, although
be hoDed he spoke the same sentiments which animate it
on this sui ec yet while he not in its councils or
col fdeuce he should not tender it bis advice until It
wa q. ked ios Suppressed applause in the galleries
Whenever the administration wanted the advice OF the
Senate, il would, doubtless, ask for II. lie od not
choose TO proclaim what his policy would be in view OF
the fact a the Senator from Texas did not regard Pres
dnt Lincoln as the guardian Of his section Of the coun-
try. l would hardly be the part OF wisdom to state
what his policy might be TO who may SO soon be in
the councils OF the enemy, and commander OF an army
Mr WgGl interp0sing, saii that Mr.. Douglas made
speech 1t Norfolk las, autumn in which l. reported
that he remarked he would hang good many people
South As the administration may be acting or this
principle aud as he did Lot believe the sound genuine,
simon pure-cOns;itltonlOying and cons,unon-under-
standing people sympathze with any such sentiments
and as mastery inactivity will not row do, he trusted
the Senator would give them new revelation. The reve-
laioa on Mount Sinai amid the muttering OF thunder
and the flashing of lghtlings, recognized slavery
bsieyej then "a | do now, that | expressed the
sound constitutional principles which alone the gov
ernment can exist As hanging the Senator under
some misapprehenson, his mind seems of charac-
ter which magnfes man to two men. only spoke
of hargtg person, and that in certain conurseu-
cy And did saw that il Mr.. Lincoln should be elect
ed President according to the constitutional forms, he
mus. be iuaugurated aud under my constitutional duty
would him the exercise OF all the legitimate
dutie. Of the station.
then SAIL IT, alter he elected he should violate
the constitution Of the country, and commit crimes
against me laws Of le laud should be for pUuisaipg
h.m acCordias TO law. Aud I toe poltly under tAe
constitution be ota hi u Tou,i hang him higher than
Hamau. would have ~ the sane thing Of any oth'
mgn N, nc mgl. sbuse liz trust repCsel in him by he
American people. ] a-scftedi: as general lIincipe.
Toe Clalr here ulle a reu6k having reference 10
| slight disorder III tue galleries.
Mr. Wgfall rema.kcd-lou will be fortunate il the
galleries do rot clear the Senate before long, aud this is
one thing which reconcles me 10 change OF govern
ment Would the Senator support the administration III
Withdrawing the troops from Forts Sumter and Pckens
Ii would no doubt strengthen the backbone OF the ad
minslration in having his support.
Mr. Doughs-As TO Withdrawing the troops and ac-
yi-inc the President do So should have hesitation
u answering, if the Senator like myself felt himself
bound to support the Constitution and protect and de-
end the honor Of the country. instead OF becoming pos
eSsed of information which might be used against u.s.
As to my November speech, see no reason to change
/ or modify any sentiment therein expressed.
| Mr. Wigfal-The Senator then was not carrectly re-
ported-we we're to be hung if dissolved the Union
and Mr. Lincoln, too if he would not carry out the Con
| stitutOu.
kr Dougas-I beg pardon-as the speech re-
ported n the Norfolk papers said no such thing. The
alteration made for partisan purposes at distance
from where the speech made am certain there wa,
10 such report until the perverted extracts from
the speech. But will not enter nto any controversy as
to the Norfolk speech nor with regard to the late can
| yass.
have long since repeatedly sad "!et bygOnes be by
eones"-I am only looking the line Of policy 10 save
the country from civil and cOnilc, and am press
ing on both sides OF the chamber, and on the executive
and on every citizen whose heart and mind can reach
| tue pursuit Of such pacific policy will arrest the
frther destruction OF the government prevent civil war
aud lead reunion Of those States which have with
drawn from the Union.
Mr. Wiglal was happy that the Senator willing tC
lot bygones be bygoncs of which the Norfolk speech was
He willing to meet the Senator as 10 the iu
ture
Nj Douglas replied that he had other motive thar
TO deal with the future without elimination recrmi
natcn to the past. For the future he advocated
pacific policy.
Mr. Wigfall-AIl l wanted to say was, that did nc
desire Texas should be put in false position OF making
war when she is not doing it.
Mr. Mason said that the debate had been in progress
for two days, and vet no man on the Republican side
| had made single comment on the inaugural.
Tue Senator from Illinois, after giving it careful pc
risal had made proclamation that it was declaration
of peace He Mr. Aason) was surprised to hear this
He had read the document and heard the reverberaon
of the public press not only Of the South, but elsewhere
and the Senator was the only source from which ht
learned that it could be interpreted peaceful The
Union is in disntegration. We have already lost
States Senators have retired from this chamber atie
having filed copies of the ordinances Of secession.
Il is known as historical fact that these States hay'
confederated and have established new government
and Ig and proyided for tue collection OF revenues
The government is complete in all its parts provision
made for land and forces in fact, no feature thai
necessary for perfect aud stable government has Deer
omitted The States which have separated embrace hy'
millions Of people, three of them white.
In this condition of things in view al these fcts The