Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1863-12-22
Interesting Discussion.

In tho Senate Of the United States, GU the
10th, an exceedingly interesting andspicy discus.
sion took place between Senators Davis Of Ken
lucky, johnson of Maryland aud Hale of New
Hampshire. The subject was the exchange of
prisoners We give the following synopsis -
Mr.. Davis called up the resolution offered by
him relative to the exchange Of prisoners, in
which the Government is urged to continue the
exchange without reference TO the negro soldiers
captured lie advocated its passage vehement
ly, picturing the suffering and disease VI thou
sands Of prisoners, AMI charged upon the Admin
istratlon the cruelty Of refusing 10 exchange our
s1liiers unless the negro was exchanged Also
He regarded this a part OF its policy, for the
purpose Of perpetuating it's power party,
aud Of making capital for the next Presidential
election He denied the authority OF the Pres
idont to call out negro soldiers, or issue pro
| Carnations Of emancipation, chaIneterizng this
era as one of political tyranny" the reign of
Abraham First"
Mr. johnson. of Maryland, followed. lie
thought that humanity demands the continuance
of the exchange Of prisoners As the negroes
were but few, be would suggest that an equal
number Of Confederate prisoners should be held
as hostages for cOlored soldiers. He preceded
to combat the opinion Of the Senator from Ken
/ llQLtGteU,
aud corrected his views Of the power of the
President, by quoting from the Constitution
relative TO executive and legislative powers -
Even suppcsng there was no army or navy ex-
listing to put down the rebellion, il would still
be the duty Of the President to execute the law.
AMI provide therefore the means. If foreign
foe has put his foot upon our shores, has not til,
President the right to call around him all thu
facilities which the power Of the Government
can supply! lie cannot force men into thu
ranks, but he can call for volunteers and I'M
not Congress the power to call upon the slav
population for the defence Of the country
Though called property for purposes Of taxation
they are still persons, 1t is not essential tina
, they should be citizens 10 be called out; II no
citizens, they were men but being property
= they must be paid for, If thus called out ia puf
suauce Of the powers vested in the President.
In conclusion, he said the Constitution will b
l returned to us in its original excellence, and tn
L. men who have violated it will be called TO nc
count; but until that time comes, with one heal
and voice, all should unite in exerting the whol
moral and physical power OF the Government
put an end, now aud forever, TO tue ambition
unprovOked, and reasonable attempt to destru
y Government the purest and best ever voucl
safed to mau, and, by destroying il, destroy col
siitutional liberty itself
l. Mr.. Davis, resuming his remarks, controveTtt
the positions of the senators from Marylan
arguing that the preamble to the Consututi,
&c e1nters no power on the Government, or any
q the Departments. According to the decision
the Supreme Court, it only points to the eu
II for which the power in the Constitution IL col
a, tened He dissented wholly from the positio
aud principles OF tue Senator There we're
D. powers save these specified in the Constitutio
a The positions of the Senator were contrary
NJ the decisions of the Supreme Court, aud we
~ heretica and dangerous. II the Goyernme
wants to strengthen itself it must look to /
Constitution. Just in the proportion as tho
powers are dsregarded, the Government
j. weakened and the rebellion strengthened.
an the Executive had been governed by the prin
- Piles heretofore announced as the true intent
he the war the rebellion would long ago ha
Il been put down; and the only way 10 regt
- what has been lost, is to return TO the basis
: which properly to conduct the war. In
4 course Of his remarks, he said it was the Diet
mination Of the party 10 power that the v
IS shall continue until the next Presidential eli
ton, The war would have been brought Il
close long ago if the Administration had sing
e, aud ia good faith, devoted itself to the prin
DC pies announced in the Crttenden resolution
and ii the commanders Of our armies had
TO been selected more with a view to opposition
l. slavery than hostility to the rebels.
MIR. Hale said that nothing was further fr
his intention than TO rise to Indignantly dt
s. that it was the desire Of gentlemen GU this II
.o to continue the war in order to influence
We next Presidential election. A more atroc
ms allegation against honorable men was ne
ma listened to from the beginning of time to
Nv present moment,
d. Dir. Davis [interruptiugl said the sena
liza himself had heretofore remarked that the ut
so Of puuderers exceeded the number Of sold
IN the field.
nm Mr.. Hale replied that he had never made 81
a remark, nor anything like it, lie said
~ Liberties Of his country were more in dan
e. from prohigacy the treasury than from rel
10 the field. II the allegation OF the Sena
Tx was true, he would sooner take into his Q
70 hands the hand Of a man from the oharn
=! house, reekug with pesiilence, than the ha
III of those around him. II the allegation
IN true, every Senator was stamped with the io
- est treason and perjury. The country is at "
10 The tremendous issue Of life and death trent
in the balance. Treason. with his red ha
aims blow at the national life. The desiiI
Oh Of the country have been submitted to geut
nd men around him--who are bound by the sane
of their oRths to sustain the country and
" Constitution, aud to defend the iresdes
homes threatened by invasion, while the Sc