Arkansas True Democrat

Congress.—Second Session.
WASHINGTON.
Jan, 23.
SENATE.—Several memorials were presented.
Mr. Green's resolution that A. B. Greenwood, Reverdy Johnson and Montgomery Blair, be commissioners to make a settlement of claims between W. H. Russell and the government was laid over.
Mr. Iverson was excused from the committee on claims.
The bill for the sale of lands and removal of the Arsenal at St. Louis, and construction of a new arsenal at Jefferson barracks, passed.
The tariff bill was referred to a committee of five, with instructions to report next Wednesday.
Mr. Bigler moved to take up Crittenden's resolutions. Lost, 24 to 27.
The Pacific railroad bill was taken up, and the amendment for a branch to Portland, Oregon, adopted.
Debate ensued on the amendment adding names to the list of corporators, Mr. Douglas saying that it partook of partizanship.
Mr. Wilson was sorry to see a partizan feeling. He didn't care what party they belonged to, but he wanted men of influence and money to take hold and finish the road.
Mr. Douglas moved to strike out the names of Judd and Westward Vincent Hickey. Carried.
A large number of names were then added.
Mr. Green suggested two eminent underground railroad men—John Brown, jr., and Wendell Philips. (Laughter.) Adjourned.
House.—Mr. Colfax called up the post route bill, which passed the House last session, and was returned from the Senate with amendments, which were not considered,
Nearly all agreed to including provisions for procuring and furnishing one cent stamp wrappers and envelopes, requiring letters which have been advertised to be returned to the dead letter office within two months, letters for the seaboard to be retained for a longer period, under the post-office regulations, unclaimed.
Money from dead letter office to be applied to promote the deficiency of that bureau.
Mr. Sherman gave his reasons why he hoped the amendment would be adopted, having in view to economize.
Mr. Branch opposed it. The compensation was now inadequate. The reduction would induce the contractors to refuse the contracts. There was no power here to contract the speed of cars.
Mr. Colfax said the committee on post roads recommended non-concurrence with the Senate proposal to limit the compensation of railroads carrying the mails, to $200 per mile per annum for first class, $80 for second class, and $40 for third class. Speed not to be greater than 20, 17, and 12 miles, respectively, for each class. This would save the treasury $355,000 per annum, but the committee think that such reduction would now have the effect of endangering the present system.
Mr. Sickles offered an amendment establishing the daily delivery of letters within a circuit of nine miles from the city hall in New York, which was adopted.
Mr. Clemens made a personal explanation relative to a remark made yesterday that he was a traitor; stating that he forgave the remark for the reason that he had been suffering under a reeking wound for two years and a half. He did not find a bullet a comfortable sensation. He expected his course had led to defamatory remarks. If others wished to cast imputations on him they could do so for the reasons stated.
The report of the committee of thirty-three was up.
Mr. Etheridge said that if the settlement of the present difficulties be submitted to twelve honest men, not politicians, he would do so without argument, knowing they would reach an honest verdict; unfortunately the people appeal to Congress for peace." He announced that if the house failed to meet the public expectations he would move the adjournment of this question to the people. The revolution now threatening was unjustifiable and unpardonable, and involving fearful consequences.
Those not participating in the revolution are stigmatised as traitors. He showed the madness and folly of subverting the government, saying that all their rights would be secured in the Union.
He believed the personal liberty bills would soon be swept from the statute books. If they are constitutional we have no right to complain; if not, they are void.
He asked if the Kingdom of South Carolina will be more strong out than in the Union. The northern people will always be opposed to slavery. The strongest slavery men South are Yankees; for as soon as they go South they marry a nigger— beg pardon, they marry a woman with niggers. No one here claimed to be an abolitionist. (Voices from the republican side, "not one."No other but the republicans had denounced the Brown raid in their platform. The people North and South don't hate each other more than old whigs and democrats used to. You will separate on paper, but the Ohio river is the only barrier to separate hostile States. You hate each other because the "ins" must soon give way to the "outs." As an evidence of his peaceful disposition, he was willing to submit eight years more to Buchanan's administration. (Laughter.) He would assent to Crittenden's or the border states compromise, or the resolutions he endeavored to introduce. He would indorse the recommendation of the committee of thirty-three, feeling that doing thus he would meet the disunionists with a torch in one hand and the sword in the other, and so long as the stars and stripes wave over Tennessee, he would never submit to disunion.
Mr. Etheridge continued at great length, saying the North has always submitted to the demands of the South, and referred to acts of Congress in support of his statement,
Mr. Etheridge, in answer to a question, said it was known the people of the South were insane; and in the language of the scripture, southern fools according to their folly, He said that it was well known wherever the disunion sentiment prevailed in the South, there was a reign of terror.
He would return to Tennessee to resist disunion; he would cling to the flag of our country in this her darkest hour, and in terror, as the Saint clings to his God.— (Laughter.)
The speaker laid before the House the withdrawal of the Georgia members,
Mr. Lovejoy argued that the theory of our government is laid down in the declaration of independence, and convention secession was a wild dogma, treason, rebellion; a crime against God and man. If the government could not be maintained it was a mere co-partnership. South Carolina couldn't dissolve the Union; she didn't make it, and it was a miserable derisive mockery in her to absolve allegiance. He would not conciliate with rebels who defy the government. He never would vote for a particle of compromise until the insult to our flag at Charleston was apologized for or avenged. He wanted to see this disunion tragedy or farce played out. The propositions of compromise, that the extremes of the republican party be cut off, is like playing Hamlet with Hamlet left out.
He appealed to the republicans to stand firm and not fail to carry out their principles and see the salvation of the Lord. He believed Lincoln would stand firm. to the principles of the Chicago platform. If he or an angel from heaven proclaimed any other doctrine, let him be accursed"and the people curse him. There was no constitutional power to abolish slavery where it exists, and he would not vote for such an act.
Mr. Montgomery proposed, as it was impossible to make an adjustment here, that all the members resign and let the people have another election before the 4th of March.
Mr. Grow asked his colleague if his successor had not been elected.
Mr. Montgomery meant an election for the present Congress.
Mr. McPherson addressed the House.— Referring in the course of his remarks to the use of the governmental machinery for nefarious purposes, he said even the House and Senate had not escaped. He characterized the secession movement as nursed in personal ambition, matured in iniquity and closed by saying the people could maintain the Union.
Adjourned.