The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-01-16


j Natchez, and was fired by : gang Of
euerrillas and burned to the waters edge
4 deter from Mobile to . citizen q
New Orleans says that fighting WAS
going on in that vicinity on the aist oi-
timo.
The rebels we're burning cotton short
distance from Natchez on the 9th ul>
timo.
ATTACK ON THE YANKEE PIcKET LINE ON
| THE SOUTH SIDE.
A dispatch from the headquarters OF
the Army Of the Potomac, on the 1eth'
| says:
The rebels made another attack on the
picket line this morning, just before day
light and captured few videttes on the
right of the Second division OF the Sixth
The morning was very dark, and the
attacking party approached cautiously
behind an old abattis until they were al
most at our line ere the pickets were
aware Of their coming. The men fred
| their pieces and ran back toward the re-
serves. but the rebels were SO close to
them, and being dressed in our uniform,
could not be distinguished from our own
men, and consequently were not fired
on as they otherwise would have been.
] Not more than two shots were heard
during the attack and they retreated,
taking nine men with them and wound
ing one of the Forty ninth New York.
| Their object seemed to be to obtain
food and clothing, as they at once de-
manded the soldiers knapsacks and
blankets, few of which they got, how
ever, as our men go on picket for twenty
four hours, and only carry one days IA
tons with them, taking no knapsacks or
blankets. They got few haversacks
this morning, and to-day one of them
was held up by rebel to show our troops
what they had gained. Some of our sol
diers swear vengeance against the raid
ers; and are waiting an opportunity to
pay them back with double fury.
THE SLAVERY DISCUSSION IN THE FEDE.
RAJ CONGRESS.
In the Yankee House, on Wednesday,
the amendment to the Constitution abo-
fishing slavery was up. Mr.. Townsend,
of New York, opposed it, and during his
speech had the famous Crittenden reso-
lutions read by the Clerk.
!. Mr.. Holman Ondiana) said this amend
ment could not be adopted without being
followed by more radical measures. If,
in the Judgment of our fathers, slavery
was inconsistent with republican form
of government, they would have abo-
lished it. The Democratic party were
opposed to the amendment because they
want the Constitution preserved as it is.
He denied that because. of slavery our
country had become kissing and re-
proach. In consequence Of slavery, on
| the contrary, it had grown in population
and wealth. and commanded the respect
of the world nor had its destinies been
unduly controlled by Southern men,
The Constitution has been the source of
the nations prosperity, and it is the only
; ark of our safety.
Mr.. Cravens Ondiana) believed that
) slavery will finally die if gentlemen but
address themselves to putting down the
: rebellion. He believed the war would
have been over before now if they had
: said nothing about slavery. He thought
this was not the proper time to make so
radical an amendment, and he was OPP
posed to it on the ground Of policy, ex-
Dediency and Justice.
Mr.. Bromall Pennsylvania contended
that this question had been passed upon
by the people during the late Presiden-
tial election they had given their YER
, dict, and he held that it must be carried
out, if not by this, at least by the next
Congress. He answered the arguments
which had been advanced against the
amendment, and contended that the OBJ
iect of the Constitution, as declared in its
preamble, was to preserve the liberties
Of the people.
Mr.. Pendleton (Ohio) maintained that
the right of amendment is limited to two
ways; first, by the letter Of the COnsti-
{ tuition itself, and next, by the spirit, in
tent and scope of that instrument, and
this idea underlies the foundation. 1t
was rot an abstract question, buta ques-
ton of compact. A change could not be
made subverting the Constitution and en-.
couraging monarchy, because repubii-
canism is at the base Of our system, and
, to overthrow it is not to amend, but to
| subvert the Constitution. Hthree-fourths
} of the States pass such an amendment,
{ and they find that Rhode Island should
be the one dissenting State, she would
, have the right, and it would be her duty,
! to resist nv force and her causa would