Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-02-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Feb,
sENATR.

sENATR.
/ The Senate met at II O'Clock
4 Mr.. Rice said he believed the people OF his
State were In favor of settlement of the difficult
ties, and il separation must come-a peaceful sep
| aratiOn. He presented petition signed by u 900
| voters of St. Paul asking for a settlement
Mr, johnson, of Arkansas, asked to object to
| explaining petitions at length He might as well
sing psalms to dead horse as to thus take up all
/ the time of the morning hour.
Mr. Ten Eyck presented petition of the citi-
/ zens of New jersey in favor OF the Constitution
| Mr. Seward presented petition from a large
/ NUN er of citizens of New York, stating that in
their opinion the petitions sent to Congress were
/ full of complaints of the state of the country
| which only served to make matters worse and do
not represent The true state of the country; there
| fore, they ask Congress for the suppressing Of
| unmitigated scribbling.
A resolution for the relief of John R Clav for
mer minister to Peru was passed.
The consideration of the Presidents Message
was postponed till Thursday
HOUSE.
Mr.. FentOn offered a preamble, reciting the
| clause Of the Constitution relative thereto, and
adding,
Whereas, Varied and conflicting opinions pre-
vail among the members of this House, in regard
to the causes which have produced the unhappy
disturbances now affecting our country, and in
regard to the prefer made of quietIng and ad-
justing these disturbances, and guarding against
their fu ure occurrence, therefor
Resolved, That in the adjustment of this
House, the proper tribunal to Which all the exist
ing disturbing questions should be referred for
deliberate consideration and final settlement, is
Convention of Delegates from the several States
of the Union, to be called in the mode prescribed
in the Constitution
Mr.. StauntOn showed the necessity for the pas
sage OF the bill, saying six States had seeded
and organized separate and hostile confederaey.
At Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans the
authority OF the Government is superseded. The
Federal laws cannot be executed. No duties can
ka fhura nNll ad
ures be adopted aside from the ordinary mode of
collecting.
One of two things remained to be done: either
to recognise secession or abandon the execution
of the laws, Suppose Virginia and Maryland,
twenty days after the Ath of March, should be
precipitated into secession, and make q hostile
demonstration on the Capitol, 5000 troops could
not be concentrated here within less than thirty
days were they 70 leave the Executive without
means of repeling invasion. We must give the
President means Of defence protection and for
the collection Of the revenue in the least objec
A long debate ensued, somewhat acrimoni-
Gus.
BOcock and others considered the bill declar-
alton of war upon the South. .aHl
motion was made to lay it on the table which
was lost
Further debate ensued, when the morning honr
expired, and the report of the Committee of 80
was taken up.
Mr.. Stewart, OfPa., ,adyOcated the enforcement
OF the laws
The resolution repeating the act to benefit De
GrOOt, was passed.
Amendments to the Naval bill was considered
Mr.. Garnett opposed increasing the Navy to
make war on portion OF the country.
Mr.. Morris thought If the Government was not
to have an army or navy, it should be stripped of
all means of defence and surrender at will to all
who attack it.
Recess
On assembling in the evening several speeches
were made.
Adjourned