The Portland daily press., 1863-12-16
BY TELEGRAPH
TOrHE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVIII CONGRESS---First Session.
SENATE.

leiegfapl line Dy the Northern lUntc, ana
asked that the bill be referred TO a special COM
mittee.
Mr. Sumner introduced resolution for the
appointment of Il Commissioner 10 revise and
codiiy the statutes of the United States. Laid
over.
On motion of Mr. Hale, the following reso-
luton was adopted.
Resolcod, That the Committee on Naval
Affairs be instructed TO inquire into the pro-
priety and oxpediency OF providing by law,
that appointments in the naval service, COM
monty called acting appointments, be submit
ted to the Senate for confirmation. III ali cases
where similar appointments In the regular
army are required TO be submitted to the Sen
ate.
Mr.. Anthony submitted tho following which
was referred to the committee on Military
Affairs.
Rcsolced, That the thanks of Congress be
and they hereby are presented TO Maj. Gen.
Ambrose Burnside, and through him to the
officers and men under his command for their
gallantry, good conduct and Soldier-like endur-
ance.
EMotions of reference of the respective sub
jects embraced in the Presidents Message
were Then entertained, and the same were re-
ieTred TO appropriate committees.
Mr.. Lane, OF Indiana, introduced bill to
amend the act entitled, AN act to define and
punish conspiracy" passed July 3lst, 1861;
also the 24th section of the act for enrolling
and calling out the National forces, passed
March Sd, 1868.
Mr.. Hendricks introduced bill to extend
the time in which the States may avail them
selves OF the grant Of land for Agricultural
aud Industrial Colleges.
Nj. Davis, of Kentucky, called up his reso-
luton in relation to the exchange OF prisoners,
arguing vehemently against the policy OF re-
fusing 10 exchange our suffering white soldiers,
the langulshing, starving and diseased white
men, because the rebels refuse to exchange
their negro captiyes. He denounced at length
the policy OF the administration on several
points where the negro is affected, character
izing its position as monstrous, and referring
TO the present era as "the reign of Abraham
the lst."
Mr.. Johnson, Of Maryland, deemed it per-
fectly clear that humanity, which is the highest
policy, demanded the continuance OF the cx-
change Of prisoners. AS the negroes in the
hands OF the rebels were but few in number,
he would suggest that an equal number Of
Confederate prisoners should be held hostages
for the colored soldiers.
Mr. johnson said the constitution will be
returned TO us in its original excellence, and
the men who have violated 1t will be held TO
account, but until that day comes we should,
with one heart and voice, unite in exerting the
moral and physical power of the government
In putting an end, now and forever, to an am-
bilious, unprovoked and reasonable attempt
to destroy government, the best ever voucl-
safed TO man, and by destroying it constitu-
tional liberty itself would be destroyed.
Mr.. Davis, in the course of his reply, said
the President had no right to suspend the writ
Of habeas corpus, which was Legislative, not
an executive function. He altogether dissent
ed from the positions and principles OF the
gentlemen from Maryland. All the powers TO
no az.
alone, and there are no powers vested Ia the
Government or any OF Its Departments which
are not conferred by the Constitution.
1t was the determination of the party in
power that the war shall continue until the
next Presidential election. The war would
have been brought to an end long ago if the
Administration had singly and In good faith
devoted itself to the principles announced in
the Crittenden resolution, and If the command
ers Of our armies had not been selected, not
because of their hostility to the rebels, but be-
cause of their opposition to slavery.
Mr.. Hale, of New Hampshire said nothing
was further from his intention than to rise to
Indignantly deny that it was the desire OF
gentlemen on this floor TO continue the war In
order TO influence the Presidential election.
A more atrocous allegation against honorable
men was never listened TO, from the beginning
10 the present moment.
Mr.. Davis llnterrupting) said the Senator
himself has heretofore remarked the army OF
plundcrers exceed the number of soldiers ia
the field.
Mr.. Hale replied that he had never made
such remark, nor any like it. He had said
the liberties Of the country were more in dan
ger from profgates In the Treasury than from
rebels in the field. Ii the allegation was true,
then every Senator was stamped with the
foulest treason and perjury. The country is
at Wharf.-The tremendous issue of national life
and death trembles in the balance-the desti-
mics OF the country have been submitted to
the gentlemen around him, who are bound by
the sanctity Of their oaths to sustain the coun-
try and constitution, and to defend their fire
sides and homes, threatened by invasion,
while the gentleman from Kentucky says they
are hypocrites and do not mean TO sustain
these objects.
Dir. Davis explained that he had reference
TO those IN power.
Mr.. Hale said the Senator had made an
allegation which embraced every Senator. Ii
was an allegation which, if true. would dis
grace the yilest inmates OF a Penitentiary
The country is at stake. God is trying the
great question Of free government before the
the world, and In the course Of his providence
lac had entrusted the destinies OF the country
to their hands. Were they to have the allega-
ton brought against them which, If true,
would justify any inmate OF pententiary in
refusing 10 give them a friendly hand?
The character of the President was also
included in this allegation. He believed one
thing met everybody's assent, namely that MIR.
Lincoln is eminently an honest and patriotic
man. To-day, for the first time, he had heard
his honesty questioned. He apprehended the
Senator did not appreciate the character of his
accusation. If Mr. Seward has called for
black soldiers to take up arms, and called
them TO fight the battles Of the country, it is
bound to protect them at all hazards.
The party in power has one aim, and that
aim is the country; but one purpose and that
is the salvation OF the country.
Mr.. Lane, of Indiana, remarked that he
understood the Senator from Kentucky. to
say that Major General had declared it was
proposed by the President to retain his power
even though the election is against him. II
that be true, the administration does not de-
serve the confidence OF the country. If false,
the officer should be mustered out as I'M
worthy OF the commission he bears. He
should like to know the name of the officer.
Mr. Davis replied that the Senator mistook;
a gentleman who was formerly member of
the other house, informed him that there was
Major General who had said "if Mr.. Lincoln
WIS defeated in the next election, he would
not surrender the Office
II the Senator from Indiana would come TO
him Davis in the strictest confidence, he
would give him the name of the Major Gener-
al, and that Of his informant.
Af Lane had only this to say: ANY Major
General who would make such n statement.
was unworthy the honors of tho oo,,or,,,a,,