Year: 1860




WAsHINGToN, Jan. l6.-Various petitions were
presented


Mr. DOCGLAs offered resolution that the Com
mite on the Judiciary be instructed to report a
bill for the protection Of all the States and Terrific
res against invasisn by the inhabitants of any other
State or Territory. Also for the suppression and
punishment of conspiracies and combinations in any
State or Territory, with the intent to invade spoi
or moest the government inhabitants property
or institutions OF any other State or Territory


MIR. SUMNER presented petition in favor of cheap
letter postage


Mr.. HALE presented Il petition in favor of the
Homestead bill,


Mr.: GREEN presented the memorial of the Cham
Der of Commerce Of St. Louis, praying for the es-
tablishment of Branch Mint in st. Louis
On motion of Mr. SUMNER, Il resolution was
adopted directing the Committee on Post Office and
Post Roads to inquire whether the present charges
on letters carried by steamers are not unne-
cessarily large and Rurdensome, operating as
check TO commerce between the two hemispheres
and especially as grievOus tax upon European
emlgrants seeking home in the United States and
whether something may not be done, and if So
what, to secure the benefits of cheap ocean postage


Mr.. POWELL introduced Joint resolution author-
izng the President and Directors of the Louisville
and Portland Canal Company to construct n
branch canal from suitable point on the south
side OF the canal to point in the Ohio river oppo-
site Land Island sufficient to pass the largest class
OF steam vessels navigating the Ohio river; which
was read twice 'and referred to the Committee on
Commerce.


On motion Of Mr.. IULEE, a resolution was adopt-
ed, directing the Committee Post-oilices and
Post Roads to inquire into the practicabilitv of
providing such system for the transmission of
money and valuable packages by the mails as will
furnish greater security and to inquire how far
plan of money orders can be engrafted npon the
postal system of the country.
Mr.. BIGLER introduced bill to provide for the
suppression OF invasion from State or Territory
by or through another and the fitting out of mill
tary expeditions enterprises in one State or Ter
AGAINST her and for ba piObY toc
such offences; which was read twice and referred
to the Select Committee on the Harpers Ferry in
vasion.


The resolution of Mr.. Pugh was resumed, and
Mr.. CLINGMAN took the Hoor discussing the slavery
agitation In It's present aspect and its effects the
country.


He would state his views with the utmost frank
ness, because this was a subject to which he had
given his thoughts while he had been in public life.
and II any benefit was to grow out of this discus
sion, it ought to be frank and full As a prelimi-
nary matter, however, he remarked that it had
been charged that the present agitation was due to
the action of the Democratic party. He thought
they ought to be entirely exonerated from this
charge, and declared that their action had been
statesmanlike and patriotic. But why should we
seek to deceive ourselves by crying ''peace" when
there is no peace? When dark and rapidly ap-
preaching cloud covers half of the Heavens and
the mutterings of the thunder and the wall of the
storm are heard in the distance. he would be an in
experienced mariner who would fail to take warn
ing and seek refuge.


The South had been censured because they did
not hold meetings and testify thei" devotion to the
Union. But when country is invaded, do the in
habitants get together and pass resolutions in favor
of peace? Demosthenes was denounced as n politi-
cal agitator in the days of Philip, because he warn
ed his countrymen of approaching danger If
those on the other side of the chamber would adopt
such resolutions, it would be we but they only
treat them with derison. This abolition movement
at first was very insignificant. When an abolition
society was first formed in Boston, it was so feeble


that the member of Congress from that district re-
fused to answer its inquiries. But they went in
dustriously to work with their publications to cor
rupt knowledge at its fountain head and very soon
1t was seen that women, preachers and those of live
ly sensibilites were influenced.
The Senate went into Executive Session and of
forwards adjourned.


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
point OF order was raised on Friday bv Mr.
Leake as to the admissibility % Mr. Pennington's
plurality resolution, and this morpipp il was mass
ed over informally.


Mr.. UNDERWOOD indulged the hope that by this
debate the people of the South had been aroused to
their true position in the Union, and have become
fully acquainted with the ends and aims of the enc
mics of the Republic 1t would be neither truthful
profitable nor just to speak of the Republicans
otherwise than as the abolition party which he re-
garded as utterly unmndful of their Constitutional
obligations


He gave brief history of the slavery agitation
speaking not as Southern man, but as a citizen Of
the United States for the Constitution he said, de-
pends not only on the preservation of Southern
rights, but of the Union.


He maintained that it was the duty of every citi
zen to aid in the execution of the fugitive slave
law, and those concerned in the underground rail
road operations as band of pirates and as foul a
crew as ever soarded ship


This Republican abolition party had faithfully
followed the advice of Senator Seward, who had
proclaimed the "higher law' against the lives and
interests of the South.


In the course of his remarks he declared that he
wanted a united for 4
ing to which they not entitled While thev
are not united, they become prey to the enemy
AS further argument, he said that if the Soufb
had been united, the bill for the admission of Kan.
sas into the Union would have been passed, and a
sufficient number of Democrats eIactad 70 tba
House to have organized this body He gave ~
his opinion, that the Democratic party is the hope
of the country.


Mr.. HILL, having been engaged in colloquv with
ms collegue, said the new Union party was predi-
Gated on the good of the American people for
the enforcement of all the laws.


Mr.. UNDERWOOD replied that he would not break
down constitutional party at the North, to build
up a party.


Mr. HILL further explained, that this new Marty
might draw off gentlemen from the Peoples party
gentlemen who, though acting with the Republicans
had shown their nationality by voting for Gilmer
Mr.. UNDERwooD replied that they had shown
themselves to be sectional men BY voting first for
Grow, and then for Sherman In conclusion ba
eulogized the Democratic party, and said tb,+ ;f
the Southern Oppositionsts would unite with them
they could elect conservative Speaker


Mi. MORRIS, of Illinois, contended that tho
PRESIDENT had changed his original position on the
question OF slavery in the Territories and mada a
pid 1or Southern votes in the Charleston Convan
ton. 00h'en


When he had concluded, the House adioarned.


Mr.. Thackeray spent his Christmas holidays
among his friends in Paris.