Congressional.
Mr. Clingnan moved that the Message be printed lie thought it fell short of investigating the crisis before the Government. The President elect was known to be a dangerous man, because he had avowed principles of the possible conflict, now making war on the South. The present position of parties in Congress holds him powerless; but his party will eventually control the Government, the Supreme Court included. A sectional majority will absolutely control the whole Government. It may beget revolution, and I don't think the Southern States have acted precipitately. If such occurrences as have taken place in the last fifteen years had been with foreign nations, there would need to have been war. In his judgment, a number of the Southern States would secede within sixty days. In South Carolina the Submission party is small. It would be the wisest thing for Congress to divide the public property fairly after paying the public days. My people are not terrified. We have more territory than the Colonies had when they began war with Great Britain, and four times the population. Our imports last year were $30,000,000 --10 per cent, duties had given this. Northern gentlemen say our Institutions are a disgrace to the national family, and say it is a sin. If we separate, their consciences are clear. I argue with the President that there is no right to force a State.--The most offensive aggression is the levying of tribute. If a separation comes, we are carrying out the policy of the fathers of the Revolution.
Mr. Crittenden, of Ky., said he hoped to be together, as Union friends. He hoped for the preservation of the Union he had lived under so long. He rose for the purpose of expressing the hope that the example of the gentleman who had just spoken would not be followed. That was to be, we had better not have come at all. This Union is worthy of great sacrifice, and he looked forward with dismay to disunion. We must search for means of reconciliation, to restore harmony and avoid angry debates. North Carolina has always carried the olive branch of peace.
Mr. Clingman approved of the gentleman's desire to preserve the Union, and he would be sustained in what he said by a majority of the people of his State. North Carolina was the next to the last to come into the Union. When it ceases to protect her, she will bid it farewell.
Mr. Fitch, of Ind., moved that the usual copies be printed. Adopted.
Mr. Hale moved to adjourn. Carried.
--After the reading of the Message Mr. Sherman, (Rep," of Ohio, moved to refer it to the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union.
Mr. Boteler, of Va, moved that that portion of it referring to Secession, be referred to a special committee, composed of one member from each State, with leave to report at any time.
Mr. McClernand, (Dem.,) of Ill., said he wanted to offer an amendment, referring the of amending the Constitution and Secession to a select committee of one from each State with instructions, particularly, to engage whether any further legislation or amendment to the Constitution is necessary full effect to the clause respecting the ion of fugitive slaves.
Mr. Boteler declined accepting Mr. McClermand's amendment.
Mr. Sherman proposed that instead of a committee picked from each State, that there committee of fifteen only.
Mr. Bocock, of Virginia, waived the question of ordering the reference of the last part of Mr. Boteler's resolution. A committee, he could not report at any time without a suspension of the rules.
The Speaker decided in favor of Mr. Bocock.
Mr. Bocock, at the request of several friends, withdrew his objection.
Mr. Stanton (Rep.) supposed Mr. Boteler could accomplish his obtect by omitting the clause of the resolution.
Messrs. Curry, of Alabama, and Barrett, of Missouri, also objected, and Mr. Boteler modified his objection by striking out the last clause.
Mr. Sherman wished to offer an amendment, leaving the House to decide as to the mode of organizing the proposed committee.
Mr. Boteler said he had specially avoided saying now the committee should be appointed.
The Speaker said the rules provided.
Mr.--declined voting, because his State had called a Convention.
Mr. Houston, of Alabama, said he would do all he could, to accomplish unity and friendship, and would vote.
Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, said it was necessary the Message should be referred somewhere, and he favored a select committee.
Mr. Moore, of Alabama, declined voting.
Mr. Cobb, of Alabama, would vote for the resolution.
Mr. Miles, of South Carolina, said his State was out of the Confederacy, excepting a mere form yet to be gone through with, and that his delegation took no interest in the question.
Mr. Pugh, of Alabama, said his State was going to follow South Carolina on the 10th of December, and he declined to vote.
The result of the vote on the adoption of the first portion of the resolution was — ayes 11 nays 38.
The House agreed to Sherman's original motion that the whole Message be referred to the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union, and printed, together with Boteler's amendment thereto, namely: that so much, t it as relates to the present perilous condition of the country be referred to a select committee of one from each State.
Before the vote was announced, Mr. Single of Miss., said he declined voting on this question, because the Legislature of his State had called a Convention to consider the matter. He believed his people would determine for themselves.
Mr. Jones, of Georgia, gave as a reason for not voting, that his State also had called a convention to decide as to its Federal relations, and did not want Congress to decide for her.
Mr. Hawkins, of Florida, said his State also had appointed the same day in January for a convention to take into consideration this question. The people had determined in that way to determine on the true manner and mode of redress. It was for them to settle in their sovereign capacity, and not for him, therefore, to take any action here on the subject. He was against all compromised.
Mr. Clopton, of Ala, declined to vote, because his State had called a Convention.
Mr. Gartrell, of Georgia, also declined on the same ground.
Mr.--offered a resolution that the Chairman shall appoint the committees unless when the House shall order it otherwise.
Mr. Morris, (Dem.,) of Ill., wished to offer an amendment, which he read for information, as follows:
‘ Resolved. That we are unalterably and immovably attached to the Union of States; that we will recognize in the Union the primary cause of our present greatness and prosperity, and have as yet been nothing, either in the election of Lincoln or from other sources, to justify dissolution, and that we pledge our lives, fortuned and sacred honors to maintain it.
’ Objection was made to Morris' resolution, that of Boteler being distinctly before the House.
Mr. Barrett suggested that each committeeman be selected by the State delegations.
Mr. Kunkel suggested instead of the words "perilous state of the country," that Mr. Boteler incorporate in his resolution the language contained in Mr. McClernand's proposition.
The question was taken on Boteler's resolution, as an amendment to Sherman's motion.
Mr. Boteler wished to say that he would decline an appointment on the committee appointed under his resolution.
Mr. Morris, of Ill., asked to introduce his resolution as above written, as a separate proposition.
Objected to.
The House adjourned at 3 o'clock.
