tItE OFFICIAL PAPES, OF CONORESS.
BY.JOIIN
T R hofS.: I
TILE DAILY GLOBE for pis 46 00
44 perm6nth • 09
TOE CONGIBESBIONAUI:GLOBE AND
APPENDIX for !tits ..... ;•.• •
,6 00
,ta'Paymnnt in advanenlinrariab/y...: li i ,
THIRTY-SEVENTfr CONG
SECO:O SESSION.
. IN SENATE,
MONDAY, Deectnlltr 16, 1661.
Prayer by the Chaplaine. Dr. Srearol
'HOO.,WAITNIAS . .T. Wai.r..r, of . - Vit,..gi
peared in his, seat to-day.lt • I
.
The Journal Tlkurod# last was t'
approved._ - ' • , e. I
EXECtrineE C631,14016AT10N5.1
• The VICE PRESIDEITT laid beforel
ate a message from thei - pitaident of thd
States communicating; c inplieince wit'
- olution of the Senate, copimi!Of the chergi
.most, and finding of the refrnt court of I
t ift the case of Colonel Dixiin H. Miler
United States. Anny; vvhichlintis ordered k.
the table.
He also laid before the 'Senate - a letter from
Ward H. Lawn, marshal-of the District of Cce- -
luenbitt, in answer - to a rest:illation of thei . Senitie
of the 9th instant; asking hiin by what authority
- he receives slaves into the jail of -the Dilitrict of
"Columbia at the request of their masters.; Whieh
was referred to the Committee on the. Dittriet of
Columbia. , - 'i.: ' : I
He also laid before the Senates report of- the
Seteretery of War, in ans.wer',lct teresolution of the
Se
`nate of the 11th instant, editing for information I
whether any aid and what aid isrendered' by the
pay department of the Arrnylto enable volunteers
to transmit home any part ofltheirpay, - and what
additional facilities nay be 6:tended to that• °h
ien; which Was 'referred teiithe Committee on
• Military Affairs and the Militia, and ()Omit tO
a
be printed. . q
- -
PETITIONS AND .1161ORIA:.4. , '‘..
, •
Mr . . KING. I present a intlincirial of the Cham
ber of Commerce of the State 'Ff New 'York, pray
in, that the-United States assay office.in the city
of New York, shall have ccfifferred upon it the
pril liege of coining into tha, national currency .
. such portion of gold and silvtie bullion ass - may be
defies:tea with the treasurer tit that office for that
purpose. I more thht it be iVferred to die Com
mitted-on Pinence, and be printed.
The VICE PRESIDENT.kIThe memorial will
I,e referred to the Committee on Finance; and the 1
motion to print will q^o to ;the Committee on
Pruning_ t+.
Mr. KING: - The inemorial contents' a g ood
deal of valuable statistical information, which I
desire should be in the ponseAion of the Senate.
The VICE PRESIDENT: The motion to
print goes to the Committee ihn 'Printing; under
1,-
the rules.
Mr. KING. It is cony forithe use of the &m
-ate that I desire to have tt prig Md.
The VICE PRESIDENT.I) The order to print
May be entertained by the unkinimotts consent of
the Senate.
Mit KING. I hope the Sclitate will consent:
- Mr. HALE. Let, it take this usual course.
The VICE PRESIDENT.I'.The motioin will
go to the - Committee on Printing. •
- Mr. KING. The Senator Withdraws his ob
jection, I believe.
Mr. HALE. Very well, '
The motion toprint was ngt-sed - to. •
Mr. CA RLILE presented thi,t,memorial of John
Brannan, praying campensetihn for services es
librarian in the Department off State; which was
referred to the Committee on he Library.,
Mr. GRIMES, I presenthe -Petition of E.
~
Fleisclinum,atiffsundry other ,itizens of the State I
of. lowa, representing that, bylulie act of the '2.....1c1 I
of July. 11'61, persons of the JeWish lineago. and
persuitsion-are excluded - from `chaplaincies in the
Army, and thee ask for a chtiisge of the late in
that respect. f ask that the miknoriel be referred 1
fo .the Committee on Milner ' Affairs and the
Mllitta. ,,-
;
,
It was so-referred. .
Mr. GRIMES. I also presnnt the petition of-
Edwin James, sr., and other#, citizens of Des
Moe,. county, in the State of.lown,.arho repre
sent that the present formidab/i rebellion against
th,*: - Gentteal Government mani ilstly finds its 1 - 602
and nourishment in the systenffinf chattel slavery , )
at the South, and they therefone ask for enact
mentsby 'Congress by which tit shall be nbsp-
lutely and unconditionally abolnthed. I ask that
the petition be referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary..t.lt -.-
. .
It u•is so referred. 1- •
,
M - 81, ,
, r . „IMES. I
al so prestint the.petition of
E. H. Mack- end others', citizehs of Davenport,
Scott county, lowa, Who reppient. that the ho
mmopathic system of practice - hits the confidence
of the public in every Vonputifiity in the loyall
Stabs, and its adherents are amckg the intelligent,
thinking classes, whose wealth r iind influence are',
now given to the .Administrati&ii in-all its mens-:
• urea. They ask that their prfftession may be I
represented in the list of surgethis in the United I
States Army and Navy. I movelthat it be referred
to the Committee .etn ItttilitaryllAtfairs and the I
. Militia. l ....
It was so referred. - SI ' 1
e Mr. SUMNER presented thqetition of Peter
J. Blacker and others, citizens iarit ie'town orlslip,'
New Tork, preying Congress, di the exercise of
the waryols - er, to emancipate Ilike slaves-of rebels 1
without paying anything, and tlie slaves oftloy - al I
citizens by paying for them; which Was referred i
io the Committee on the Jufficieky.
He also presented - the petition of John W.
Heins and others, citizens of Philedelphia,Penn- I
sylvaCia, praying Congress in the exercise of the -
War power to emancipate the slaves of rebels
without paying anything,and the slaves of loyal
cuitens by s paying for them; whlch was referred
`... to the Committee'on the - Judicidri%
Mr. SUMNER. I have alsota petition from
citizens of the comity of Windotit, in the State of ,
. Vermont, in which it is setforth that tote declared
objects of the Constitution are to establish jus
tice,insure domestic tranquillity.provide for the
common defense, proitfote the . onertil welfare,
and secure the blessings of hibetty to the people
of the United States and theirliciksterity, and that
it is-necessary at the presenttima-to preserve the
Constitution and the Union •by ituppressing the
rebellion. The petitioners prat that Congress
will provide-by law for calling o 4 the-inhabit
runs of the - United States, of all donditions, bond
and floe, to aid in the support of the Government,
assured of its protection wider lilte flae . ' of our
llDlllitlid Union and freedom.. I tritk that the pen-,
[ton be referred to the Committal: on the Judi
:Lary- • - ' . .
It was so referred.
Mr. SUMNEE..,i4 have also apetiti on, signed
i. v the Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, and by
the lending editors of that city. ll believe it is
mintilar to.one already presinted py.the Senator
from lowa, complaintog of the existing statute in
record to the chaplains as unconittitutional, and
ita4aii7 for its repeal as an act orjustice to the
Jewish citizens pf the country. Task the refer
ence of this petition tti the Committee on Military
-Affairs and the Militia.
It was so referred!. • 1:
Mr. 'CHANDL'ER presented the petition of
ROYS, Wilkins and others, citizens lOf
preying for the adoption of rat asa'res for the ex :
rieuiro. of prioners; which was rkil'erred‘ to trot
Committee °it:Military-Aifairs and 'the Militia.
FL also leriiitiod the petition otAustin Blair,
Governor of tlie Shoe of Michigar6,and seventy
others, irayir; for the-adoption of:ltneasures far ;
the c xChan , re of prisoners; which Was refitrredlo
the Committ••o-nn liilitaryAffuirduittl the
Be else presented the memorial of the execti..,
t,te fatted of the Michigan confl'ii-,iice, praying)
the President of the United States may
enthilrizett and _required t6proclainOhe freedom;
<if all the slates in the United Stafdif f t which xvzts •
referred to the Committee on the Jiidiciary.
Mr. FESSENDES presented tip, petition of
Jarnes F. Patten, D. C. Magoon, oittf others, cit- ;
iurns of Bath, Maine ; praying that he term of
the ristrirt court note held ntWiscrt.aset, may be
hereafter held nt etth; which-was - rtiferred totie ;
i . omaiitiee on the Judiciary. F. '
- Mr. WILSON presented, the petition of James i
W- Beckman, )0111i J. Cisco, auk! tither citizens
:S"w York, praying for the enact tent of.a law
in provice fir the proper manageineht and retain.;
caner of Site Oral - nuns- of pay which -may he
made l , r the soldi-re tO. their Inman* which
referred to the committee on Militrt4 A fro irs ana l :
the Mihtuk.
• Mr. tttIMMoNS presented the petition of Mrs.
Jane B. Evans, P"..,ying for the renealil Cda patent
NEW SERTE 4 S- r -VOL. XV
. ,
for asafety guard; which was referred to the Com
mittee on Patents and the Patent (Kee.
Mr. SAULSBURY tresented the memorial of
Hayti) M. Salomon, praying indemnity and relief,
for moneys advanced by his Miter, Hayru Salo-
Mon, to the Government during the revolutionary
war; which was referred, to the Committee on
Revolutionary Clas:
Mr. HARRIS iresented a memorial of the
Beard of Delegates of American Israelites.. pray
ing that the nets of Congress . o( July 2 and. Au
gust 2; 1861; may be so amended. that - there shall
be no discrimination as against professors of the
Jewish-faitlijin the am - ointment of chaplains in
the service of the United States; which was.re
(erred to the Committee •on Military Affairs and
the Militia. 1 •
he Sen-
United
h a res
e,.testi-
inquiry
~ of the
to lie on
Mr. HALE presented the petition of Captain
John H. Auliek , United States Navy, asking that
certain dedtMlions which.iltmce been made from
his pay may be allowed him; whielt•was referred
to the Committee on Naial Affairs.
FADERS iNVITIIDRANC:!S .6D REFERRED
Oripibtionof , lllr..KlNG, it was
Ordered, That leave he graiittil to ivillidraw from the Gies
or the Senate the petition of Catherine Sheptierd,leldow of
George Shepherd, a soldier In the war of the Revolution,
praying to baationlat a mladon.
On' motion !of K.INGi
it was-
Ordered, That the petitions &rumen:l:tient of the law
.retmceung pilots, and the papers relating to the same, nn
the tiles of the tate, he referred to the Committee on
Commerce. $
• :OBJECT OF TUE WAll:
Mr. Tii.N present a resolution, not
with n yips.' to its immediate consideration, but
that it may be read, laid on the table, arid printed:
Retotred. 'That the present war hi for the mum), necord•
ing to the_ Constitution ; that Its object to to Save the-former
and enforce 061118er—was sn , ln tiro beginning. 13 not: , as
carried on, and ~fiould be, to fire Dart; that Measures, ex
treme and radical, illsnlptive iri thelliselve3, involving In a
common fore 11$!Weil the loyal as disloyal, 3110141 d not be
twinned to ;.and that In crushing trea.on—wide-r.pread and
hateful as It is—the VoVerilitlent ltsi•lf cannot prove traitor
to organic law.
The resolution was ordered to lie on the table,
and be printed. •
NAVAL PIUZF. MONEY
Mr. H ALE submitted the following resolution;
which was coiisidered - by untipinrus coindrit ;and'
4,:reed tn:
Rewired; Tii ' 11.• Committee nn Nara! Affairs be in
stynctedio Unpire into - ttic expediency and propriety of
',wing among the loyal otticer4 of the Navy, that inntion of
prize money winch WOl.lll have been distributed.ti, disloyal
odic crs. but wit lull has been withholden on aceouht of their
etb/o3 airy•.
.'SLAVES,-0Y REBELS,
Mr. HA L'6,subinitted the following resolution;
whichWaS considered by unanimous consent, and
agreed to:
Resotred, Tin liitite COmnif nea on Military Affairs and the
Militia be Ititrur tell to inquire Into the expediency and
propriety:of e,dabliFiting by law a uniform mode of dealing
with the d ares rebelO recalling ftnm their masters, or
taken as thisonens by our Army.
1
COLLECTION OE DEBTS DT :REBELS.
Mr. of Indiana, submitted the follow
ing resolution; which was considered by unani
mous consent,mnd agreed to.
Resq,6l, That: the Committee on the 'Judiciary be' in
structed to fright: l e into the expediency of prohibiting by
law, all the alders and abettor - of tile present wicked re
bellion:lmm bringing suits for the eollectlon of,detjts-in of Ute court.; of the United States,rtind to Irvin liy bill
or otherwise.
'WIDOW 01 1105. 'BARER
Mr. WILSON. I ask learc to subinit a reso
lution, and I supposei.bere can be no opposition
to its considefation now:
Rewired, That the in'ual Antolini nqtne eXpOn,l24 of Con
veying the martins of a decva,ml Senator to W.: lath place
of residence L. paid out of the contingent fund to the widow
of lion. Edo - ant 1/..llaken late a Senator front the State of
Oregon.
Mr, FESSENDEN. That Maites• an appro
priation, and it slini.4ld properly be referred to the
Committee to Audit; and Control. the Contingent
Expenses of the Ssnnte. •-
• The VICE PRESIDENT. All resolutions ap
propriating money out of ilia contingent fund,
musutecessarily go to the Committee to Audit and
Control the Contingent Expensas of the Senate,
and haw; three several readings.
The resolution was read twice, and refericd to
the Committee to Audit and Control the Contin
gent Expenses or the Senate,
A
P. - -tILROAASCJIVEY.S. . ,
Mr. McDOUGALL subMitted the following
resolution; which Was refermd to the Committee
on Printing:
nefolerd, 'that forylic port., of tootling corrections in
the plate of the o Map ni - Tffritory and in ihtitry deparhti rut
of. Utah," compiled in the Bureau of Topographical Pangl
neers, and for pTtil4ft2 one thonKtryl ettplett of the canine for
Pacific railroad purpo.,; niso for printing mine same number
of cower of the upper half of the general map nit the tern
! tory a die United :statc,, compiled by the,lVar Depanment;
showing Pacific fal(Mail sun eys,MIT lrc and n, MITI*
apprOpriated out of the cfuitingent fund nl the Senate the
sum of -
- WINTER Qtlr.tr.ns FOIL TROOPS. '
.Mr. LANE, of Kaosn'... 1 offer the following
'resolution:
- . Resolred , , That du , ;trretary of {Va t retitte,tedto
farnt,ll to Itik2 Senate copiet,of the order, diteettne tine tree—
tfon..r barrack. and othu build/tic , fpr ts'istter quarter, for
the Bata= Hoop,
The VICE PRESIDENT. Doe the Senator
ask for' the consideration of the resolution at the
-
present, time
Mt. LANE, of hansas. I desire the resolu
tion to lie on the table at present; and to-morrow
I propose to earl it up, and submit a few remarks
to the Senate on the subject.
The VICE PRESIDENT. The resolution will
lie over. • °
PATENTS TO COLORED r, EOPLE.
7.11 r. SUM ER. • i offer the following. resoiu
, ;ion:, and ask foaits present consideration:
. Resofred. That the Committer on Patents and the Patent
I Office tic thrpmd to consider if any further regittation to
1 necessary In order to secure to pl`TSol.rtif AfriCali descent.
, i'l l ' llt o :li r ti " O o riS s . c a u tni. t. t r u t fti `` , `, l. ' , ` , k . ' , ` ,lll,rir, ,t ,7.4, ` : `, ": '
•If I can hate the attention of my friend, the
i chairman td . the Committee On Patents, I should
I like to state-to him why this resolution is - intro r •
• ; duced. It is within my knowledge that a person of
1 African descent in the city of Boston has applied'
1 for a patent for a useful invention, and that it has
I Len refused to Rim on - the ground Ant under the
IDred Scott decision he was not a citizen of the
United States, and, therefore, thin a patent could
not issue to him. I wish the committee" so con
sider-whether that abuse can in.any way be re
"! moved. That in all.
The resolution was considered by unanimous
consent, and agreeno. '
A - IDS-DE-CAMP. ' .
Mr. SH.EILMIN. I have.a resolution to offer:
,flesofeed, That the Seeretary pi War he requested to coin
,rouniente to the Servile the nammyrank, Rod pay of the
aid•-.de-vamp appointed tinder the act approved Angust 0.
MI, together with their rank and pay in the line at the
1 time of their appointment. , . ,
_ .
Mr. GRIMES, I trove to amentrtlin resolu
i lion by inserting after the word'. pay,"Where it
' first occurs, the words " and residence." I should
life to- know the citizenship of these individuals,
so as to be ahle„to identify them. -
Mr. SHERMAN. I have no objection to in
serting " and.reSidence." "
- Tht . resoluiion, as modified, WAS Agreed to,
. s Ei 4 CAPE OP ?LIE SUMTER.
- .
Mr. HOWE s"ultinitted the following resolu
tion; which was considered, by unanimous con
sent, and agreed to: I
11.c.:444. That tie Conitinuee on Naval Affairs be Iti
snarled to inquire and plant. the circumstances attending
:ini , escape of the pratleal steamer. - the euniter, from Port
rsoytit,yot-the dttit of Nos ember last, and that they have
power to send , for IMM/713 , .... l aid p a p ers ,
.
PROPOSED EXPULSION OP SIR..
innoni . ..
i • Mr. WILKINSON. submitted the following
, resolution: , •
, . •
Whercas Ron. Jsess Mil:wont limennone, on the•ISI
; day of March, ItUI, wmte h letter, of which tho runolig
tm
is g copy : .
..
,Wtsninoteis, March 1, Iff.l.
Mr Drso ft , ': Miow 'We to introdueo to your ac
-: quaiittance my friend Thomas. li. Lincoln, of X.c . sas. He
.!, visits Tor capital mainly to diSposecif whafifFregards a
• real improvement in fire-toms. Ito - mon:mend film t,, - our
; favorable coludderation as it gentleman of the filet respect
'. aidlitY, mid minable to every ie_sti t ct. ,
Very truly, yours, JESSE U. BRIGHT:
: To His Excellence JrriPer.Sos harts,.
- Pre-4141nd of the Confederation of States.'
•
And whereas we believe 'the saiil letter is evidence of
disloyalty to the Hutted Stites, and is calculated to give
aid and comfort to the public encodes: .Thereforo, „...
4 .
1\ -
irrtitat rs* , r . •
_
• _
L It
Lisvmongdr::ll„,72,"'' or
at
• . • the 'aarne tarry ortwo_rents II word for longer
• tivertimmeotit.
• ' •
For eaclicAtinuarice daily at the rate of fifty
• .
cents for oneundred words: • •
• • - '
•
WASHING-TON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 48.6)-TWELVB O'CLO-CIS, AIBRIDIAN
. .
. . .
Veit rooked, That the said !moth D. Omar Is expelled I 'ABUESTS BY WIRER OF STATE DEPARTMENT.
from tilt seat In the Senate of the,Untted - States. '
The Senate Jiroheeded to con sider the following
Mr. COWAN. I move that the resolittion be i
reetuntion, submitted by air. c nonntici„, on the
referred to the Committee on the - Judiciary.
- !, r.th instant: ''s -,
M. WILKINSON. Mr. President— , , . ~.
:•;. bn il n ew , t e rV. , , 'That the Secretary of State lie direeted at in-
The VICE PRESIDENT. The first question
tg_lt_l ettier, In the loyal States ante I.lnlor ,i'
is: l' Will the Senate consider the resolution ntl an5 ,.. r , r ,„„,,,,,, n r a p ,,,,,,,„ ii „, o bee . ~,,,t , ,,,,d find bort ,„ (Theii.,,
the present. time?" In the opinion of the Chair, it-sand are mtw held In confinement by ordeis from hint or his
;Lechepartment ; mid, it so, under what laty:sald arrests hare
is a privileged question, and is entitled to consid e l
~i nade, an said persuasions-lamed. •
ll - -
oration at the present time. The resolution is,
therefore, before the Senate; and the question is 1 . Mr. ttALK. i.,lf it would he agreeable to the
on referring it to the Committee on the Judiciary. !Senator whir introduced the resolution, 1 should -.
Mr. WILKINSON. labouldhave offered this I like to have 'it amended. by inserting-",and for
--...
resolution some &Imago, but for the fact that the what causes." ~
&new from Indiana was not in his seat, I have Mr: TRIJIvIBULL.- I should have no obj , etion
deferred' doing it 'mild this' morning, when lie is I to that imptiry, but it is evident that,. that would
here. I should Prefer, instead ofhavipgthe motion ' make the.answer prolix, and I hardly.think it is
of the Senator from Pennsylvania obtain, that the necessary to inquire into the causes of arrests of
Senator froin Indiana should express his wishes this character, if they have been made. If there
in regard to it. If he has no response de, make, 1 --ii any law authorizing the State Department to ,
and no request to make in thepremises, Ido not arrest persons in the loyal States andhold them i
see why it should be referred' t nil. • in confinement, it would be well for us to know
Mr. BRIGHT. Ido not know, sir, how farit • tir'fi - fact. If there is not, some legislation may he
may be considered in_ good-taste or me to say a 'necessary. Ido not see, however, what benefit
word at this time on the resolution _now before can arise to the Senate from going into an investi
the Senate but 1 think it is eminently proper that . gation as to the causes olarrests. I think that-to
those who'cire most interested in my position in make that inquiry would impOse a good deal of
the Senate should know something as to the truth burden on the Secretary of State.,
_llnlass there
'or falsitysf chokes that are being made "against is some object in it winch Ido nbt perceive, I feet
me throughliedittous presses, sonic of which, I disinclined. to accent the amendment.
believe, have reporters in the gallery °film Senate, Mr. HALE. I hail reasons for suggesting the
Among other things, it has been charged, within amendment; but as it id,,,net ogreenble to the Sen
-the last week, that I have absented myself from ator who pr . oposed the inquiry, I shall not press
the Senate, fearing the introduction of what the it . nt this tune, ash do not wish to interfere with.
Senator front 'Minnesota has this morning, pr,-, his resolution,. . .
,
seined; and if I were not to announce the fact Mr. DIXO:s.i. •-I cannot but regret the intro
that 1 had been confined to illy room fioin india- duction of this resolution by the honorableSen
position, the world might believe that these cal- ator from Illinois. It seems to me calculated to
tunnies Ore Arne. Suffice it to say, that I have produce nothing but mischief, although-I know •
been absent for the last ten days on account of the purposes of the Senator who introduced it are
,indisposition. In justice to myself I know that I- in the highest degree patriotic. The inguiry . whicle
ought pot to be here to-day; but hearing that i( he proposes I think, under the present eircum
' was the intention of the opposite, side or the Crm- stances, unnecessary and •unwise, and it can, in
her to question my right to a seat in this body, I my judgment, result in nothing fitvotible to the
e g
thought it proper that I Shouldsattend.. So much cause in which We ar en„„ca ed.
forthe gratuitous falsehoods of the press on this- What arc the arreitawhicli the resolution pro
. . .
point: - poses to consider? ...They are -well known to the
' The honorable Senator from Minnesota was country, so far at least as relates to:their object
kind enough to show me the resolution that lie and character. It is well understood that during
' ha's presented, and ask m e WI h a d any objection the last six months, while'our existence as a nn
'to its introduction. I said to him, what I now tiiin scented fur a time to hang upona thread—
repeat, that, so far from having any objection, I While large armies threatened the capital, and its
challenged investigation. My colleague will bear safety
. was, at one period, - in great coubt, there
me witness that as early as the first day of this were, to ninny of the loyal States, e.len Of -dim
session- I naked him to take the lead, and intro- cerous character and designs allowed to' go at
dues a proposition here inquiring into the truth Forge, although it was well understood they were
-or falsity of charges that hare been industriously, giving aid end comfort to the enemy in every pos
circulated against nie ever since the close of the aible manner, Sonic of then; infested my owls' '
last Congress.' The motives that prompt those State. lam glad to be able to say that they, were,
engaged in this system of defamation I may speak for the most part; emissaries front other States,
of some other occasion. - and that the disgrace of giving them birth, or of
As the Senatorfrom ' :iota has bad a letter affording- them a 'home,- did •nOt belong' to us.
rend that purports have been written by me, Tcy first manifested their treasonable purposes
I hope, hC will not ol'ect to sending to the Secre- b - swung to instittite.a series'of,peace meet
tary and having rea a letter that I wrote in reply ings, 'II, by which they hoped to debauch
''to one from a frier explaining it, and let them the pub is mind and prepare it forilegrading Buh
-Igo to the committee together. lo this connection mission,
under the false pretense ,of restoring
1 —its I shall not rise agora--allow me to say that, peaceful relation's between the North anal the
- after- a senvice of seventeen years in this body South. What effect these meetiors might have
i continuously, lam not conscious of havi n g written had in deceiving the more 'nlinking, does trot
'or said anything inconsistent with my dutyason appear; but acting- iii accordance with the wishes
American Senator or loyal citizen. If thus reso- of almost our entire people, the Secretary of State
' lution goes to the committee, 1 shall avail myself put a,suilden stop to their tregsoneble designs liy
oldie opportunity that will of course he afforded arresting and confiinng one or more .of the . most
me of making a statement, either in person or obnoxious.' It was precisely the rght thing, done
writing, immaterial to .me which. I hope the at precisely the right time; and it nipped' treasoo
' mover of the resolution will send to the Secre- in Connecticut in the bud. It struck terror to the
tary's desk theletter I ref& to, that it may be rend hearts of all who sympathized with secession,
and referred. - and it encouraged the hearts and strengthened the
. The VICE PRESIDENT. This resolution hands of every true-hearted and-patriotic citizen.
will be referred to the Committee oh theJudiciory, It was, certainly, the opinion - , of many that the
if there be no objection. - •summary process of arrest and confinement did
Mr. WILKINSON. I send up it copy of the not-go far enough; them others, equally guilty,
letter referred to by the Senator in his remarks, ought to have been placed under restraint; but the
explanatory of the former letter. desired effect was produced, and an appeal to the
The VICE PRESIDENT. That will be re- fears of a certain class accomplished what nothing, 1
ferred with the resolution. ' . else could accomplish.
' Mr. FESSENDEN. I understood it to be-the Now, sir, finaintain that the action of the Got- I
desire of the Senator from Indiana to have it read. ernment in making the arrests alluded to was not
Met-WILKINgON: Let it be read.- l,' only justifiable, but flint not to hn../.." -pursued it
The VICE PRESIDENT. The letter ujili.lie wouldhave been moral treason on - the part of the
_
. .
read. . - ' '1 , '' President. Was he to see the Gowernment par
.
The Secretary read, as follows: alvzed by the unprincipled men who, under the
, AT tic r^loit SiTtclatcr 7 le6l. ' false pretense of peace, were seeking to ruin .the
-le reply . to your favor of the laid). just received, i bare to country by p
distracting and dividing our. pee le?
/nay that I have been peramnallc acquainted with Mr. Lie
for unite' than twenty viars. he - having been at. that Was* lie to allow information and materials of war
time a prominent mrrchant of time efw, where I waitlien to be furnished to the enemy by open avowed se
residing, and was just entering on My career of fife. lie cessionism I E.orone,sir,l thank hint—l thank the
did Me the favor to ith i' M Y me as' hi ' itiMme Y , and IF en- Secretary of State, as does every loyal citizen
erally attended to his .spat business. 'file. letter to which
. 3 ou -refer Loo us doubt genuine. I bare no recollection of of ConneCticut, for any and every arrest made
writing It. but if ltlr. Lincoln oats I dill, then lam entirely there; and 1 shall not Vote tininquiry'into the '
satiation of the fact. fair lam quite sure I would have given/ legality' of these arrests. They find their jtMttil
at a matter of course. just such a letter of introduction to cation mile dire necessiii •• of the time. Delay
Sty friend who isad asked it. So mach for the letter. "-
You sac the impreaaslon Is totaßiat tam ta• created, on ac- could not be Permitted: The occasion deOltallded
count of this letter, that I an/ In complicity with the solltir the exercise of extraordinary powers, and in re
em rebellion. I have toy Mlle rerard, indeed tun an utter Mining' to their exercise, the Government deserved
contempt far Altolitlaniton. winch i.t..tgekirqr by es - cry
and received the gratitude of the whole country,
meat, in its Itirt to 4. C 111.9.5 out , every man who.daren
to dlS" , •tat from tile tsdlo. it preseribt it, that if.-it were Sir, it - seems to me that those who now allow
men. tr to t.atiuysti rt
er,corrupt pao.aus.of that doctrine, I themselves to be troubled with conchtutionel Scru
m-nod not take the tronble of denying .or attempting to pies on this subject neclect or are unable 10 sec
counteract halo impre.gen. But for your sake, and the I lc unexample ' 'a I'
d condition in which the country
sake laf such Mil tried friends as you, I think it due to nay- I
.'
heir to sal; that I .1), ,Ll3ll always have been, for prewrv. is placed. W hat do we see around us on every
leg the-integrity of this Union.. t woo laboring realoutt4 side? Men in arms, counted by tens and hun
ter it, preverwition when these men, who a re OM,. ~,,ciam.. dreds of thousands, to pUt down the most abom
owe, for its maintenance, were willing ZSthan'l yet it riots" • . ' ed rebellion the. world ever saw, and
rather abate O tots SO Of thelf uncounitiltional doe, Inably wick
trine of 'inequality ; and no Mall ferrets more. Man 1 the our tintional existence actually endangered this
pret•ent condllinn of public ntralr, o r is more anxious to day, notwithstanding all we have done and are
,re pence, inane. and fraternity re-Cored, Ido not Oita now doing; and the nations of the world looking
the policy of that party is calculau•al to produce such Ts'.
suns;
on in bewildered uncertainty whetter we shall be
1-0 car trout IL, the-inevitable tellitelley of its mewl-
in tot opinion, 1, to render uh• di s ruption perunuotnt
arid incurable. And bent, I have irppo.ed, and so tong as
iny prepent Contletlots last sAll continue to oppose, the
enure cocremt policy of Atte GovernMent.. I hope ihia roar
Inc J.atit.factory - to toy frasult, For ins enemies I care riot.
Sincerely yours. &c., JESfSII O.
J. Fires', illadison; fits'ithnr.
••
- The. VI C E PRESIDENT. This paper w,ill be
referred, together with the resolution, tothe Com
mittee on the Jti6ciary.
REPORT ON THE FINANCES.
Mr. ANTHONY, from the Committee on Print
ing, reported the following resolution:
Resolved. That ten thousand extra copies of the report of
the ..Seereuiry of the Treasury' on the financeS he printed,
nine thousand flee hundred of sehleb for the• nse of the
.Senate, and fire hundred for the use or the Treasury He
parin:ma.
Mi. ANTHONY. This is the-usual number
—the number that was printed last year.. If any
Senator desires to cut it down, the committee are
quite inditTerent as to the number that shall be
printed. The subject of the finances is very inter
esting- now.
The resolution was considered, by unanimous
.
consent, and {greed to. . .
NOTICE OF A BILL— •
Mr. SUMNER. I give notice that I shall to
' morrow', or on some subsequent day, ask leave to
introduce a bill to provitlil: for the ascertain7ent
and satisfaction of claims f Americancitize for
spoliations.committed by the French prior to the
31st day of July, 1801. • '
Iu giving this notice, I make the explanation
that ,I shall do it in simple justice to the claim-'
tints, that their case may be again before the com
mittee, but with little expectatiog thatat this mo
mentit can be pressed to any decisive action. '
BILLS; INTRODUCEI?,
Mr. WILSON, in pursuance of previtius-no
tice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill
(S. No. 107) authorizing an increase in the cleri
cal forcjiti the offices of.the Adjutant General and
the Paymaster General; which was read twice by
its title, and referred tp the Committee on Military
Affairs, and the Militia, '
Mr. WILSON asked, and by unanimous con
sent obtained,. leave to introduce a bill (S. No.
108) for the release of certain parsons held to ser
vice or labor in the District of Columbia; which
was read, and passed to. a second reading, and
ordered to be - primed.
Mr. FESSENDEN asked, and by unaninious
consent obtained, leave to introduce a bill (S. No.
1095. for the relief of the legal representatives of
J. E. Martin, deceased; which was read twice by
its title, and referred, with the papers relating to
the case on the files of the Senate, to tbe'Com
mittee-on Foreign Relations. -
Mr. SUMNER asked, and by unanimotis con
sent . obtained,-leave to introduce a bill (S. No.
11Q) in relation tb district attorneys; Which was
read twice by. its title, and referred to the Com
mittee-on, the Judiciary.
Mr. GRIMES asked, and by unanimous con
sent obtained, leave to introduce a. bill. (S. No.
• 111) incorporating the Washington and Geoige
town Railway Company; which-was . read - twice
by its title, add -referred to the Committee on the
District of Columbia. .
"TILE "%TORR . IS GOVERNED TOO mucn.7
able to continue our governmental existence in its
original form; the people meanwhile pouring out
their wealth by millions, and only waiting loran
opportunity to pour out their blood in its defenSe.
let in the midst of all this, we in the Senate arc
splitting hairs t upOn the , question whether some
double-dyed traitor has been arrested in his vil
lainous course in accordance with all the strictest
formalities on which pleas in abatement ire de
cided in times of profound peace. Sir, I shall go
into no such inquiry. It isenough for me to know
that the public safety demands extraordinary
powers, vested in and exercised by thaExecutive;
and I shall not embarrass his bold and patrititic,
actioti,by any nicely-balanced scrnples or subtle
distinctions.
I know full well that this is an occasion without
a'precedent, and 1 shall not go' in pursuit of
c.edents to justify _the executive government in
resorting to the necessary means for preserving, its
own existence. I have the mosoentire confidence
that the President has been guilty of no unneemf
sitry. severity. In my judgment he hits - erred, ifnt
all, on the side of lenity and induilgence; mid 'I
desire to incite him to sull greater earnestiiess and
energy, rather. than weaken and discourage him
by inquiries which imply a doubt of the propriety
of his action. -
Ski the war in which we are engaged is not to
lie brought to's close by any mild and gentle
means. lis existence is a terrible fact which we
cannot wink out of sight, and it will be well fortis .
to look at it in the light.of truth., If there ever
was a time when we might hope to win the South
back to its allegiance by half measures, a t quasi
war, that time has passed. The sternest, severest
measures are no* needed` For myself-. 4, am
ready to resort to any proper measures, however
stern and severe, which, to my judgment, seem
calculated to accomplish the objeCt we have . in
view. have no tender and compassionate feel
ings towdOstraitors and rebels, who are striking I
death blows at our Government;' anthirlio at the
same time, through the-mouths of their sympa
thizers, crave our merciful forbearance toward
their property of Whatever kind. I AmTor making,
no distinction between the different kinds of prop
erty held by rebels in arms. I would, if possible,
render them powerless to attack and overthrow
that Constitution which they and their sympa
thizers invoke in their defense, at the verymoment
when they are . calling theyorld to witness that
the Constitution is overthrown by the revolution I
into which they have forced us.
We hear much said about the views ofeonserva ,
tive men. Sir, I have ionic means of knowing',
the views of this class of our people, and I assure
you that they entertain different sentiments, from
those which- controlled them while the interest-I
now in -aims against the Government sheltered
itself under the -protection of legality within . the
pule of the Constitution. They are not to be de.
terred from resorting to all necessary means of
crushing out this attempt tOoverivheliti our nation
in one universal ruin, by any appeal to the consti•l.
tutional rights of armed rebels. It is too late for
the gigantic criminal with Whom we 'are dealing
to seek refuge within the temple, or lay hold oil
die horns of the altar.
• Mr. TRUMBULL. Mr. President, I tun sure
that no one who knows anything of the views
. _
which I - enterlain, will suppose that I have less
zeal for the efficieflt prosecutioh of this war, and
the suppression of this wicked kebellion,than the
Senator from -Connectidut: I 'desire the war In
he prosecuted tvitli the.utmottor; I would have
our armies active mid vigilant ;.!Would not waste.
the energies of this greatriatioqguarding persons
'in the loyal States; but I would strike with the
power of Nix hundred thousand Men, at the traitor§
in arms; and under the ! militaiy power I Would
eitialt ihem to the earth at tit earliest possible
moment. \Rot, sir, this resolution is not to check
the advance•of Our armies. I hhve said upon this
floor that I belieye the Constitution of the United
States confers 011ie power which is necessary
to enable the Government to mush this gigantic
rebellion. Why? &calla° thConstitutioneon—
it
fern on Congress the poWer to r ise armies to put'
it it .down, and when the timer is given to raise
armies to put down inourrcetMoi
pr the . power comes
also to crush it in the way that imes are accus
tomed
to act. It is with powder and ball that it ti li I
to be done; and neither yoar jury trials nor. your I
habeas corpus acts can tnterfert with the Army I
which, clothed With constitutional poweriocrush
a rebellion, goes forth armed f r the purpose of
putting it down in the very Way t atarmiessubdue
theirenemics. . I \
. But, sir, thisis a resolution o inquiry, simply i
as to the arrest of persons in he loyal States.)!
That is all it is. t.
The Senator from Connecticut
tells us there were.persobs in his State who were
allowed to go at large when they were giving aid
and comfort to. the enemy. f am astonished at
that.
.I should' have supposed that in ‘ the goodly
State of Connecticut.men giving aid and comfort
to the enemy would have been arrested and tried,
and if convicted by a jury woold have been hung.
• Mr. DIXON. If the Seoatori will allow nib, I
will repeat to hint what kind oil aid and comfort
those men gave to the enemy. stated that they
gave aid and' comfort to theca yby instituting
a series of meetingS, falsely calllid " peace meet
ings,". in which they addressed hirge assemblages
of thepeople, and attempted to debauch the pub
lic mind on the question of (Ns war, claiming
that we were the aggtessors; that the South were
acting in self-defense;, that the Administration
was making war upon the Sout I. Now, sir, if
I
the Senator can inform me how uch.men can be
'attacked by arms, by powderind ball, I shall
thank him for the information. Ido not know
how they could be arrested for treason. I do not
say they were guilty of open treason They were
1 guilty of moral treason; and theStcretaryot State;
1 to the great joy or es'ery loyal el izen or C01)(1CC
' ticutomprisoned one or more of those men 'and
'put a stop to the whole proceedh g. I thank him
fordoing it. Iwill 'tint ask hint (I - single question
as to the provisions of the law or t he Constitution
upon which he acted. -- I
Mr. TRUMBULL. ' I did not ' nderstrind , Mr.
President, that there was any in. urrection in the
State of Connecticut, and , l sup ose the Army
would hare no right itl thntatr, Connecticut
.)
to shoot persons or to march they for the puivose
of slaying its peaceable inhabitan, s. It is where
the judicial - authorities are oveiborne that the
Army is called in to suppress ilw,insurrection.
The Senator assumes that tiles persons• were
traitors. Who is to decide that? w e says he will
ask, no questions. Why, sir, ho ' does he know'
that, in portions of this - country here there is no
disturbance and no insurrection, the right persons
will he arrested ? The unconstitutionality of such
action as this seems to he admitted by the Senator
who comes to the - .defense of this despotic power.
Why, sir, o the power—without 41 '
ntr g e without
examination, withotit opportunity, to reply, at the
click of the telegraph—to arrest a pan in a peace;
able portion of the country and imprisein him in
definitely, is the very essence ot despotism. I
thoUght the Senator' from 'Conndcticut was ,en
gaged in a war to defend and upliold the Consti
tution. What, sir, becomes of do istitutional lib
erty, what arc we fighting for, if th s broad ground,
is to be assumed and to be justifie I in Allis body,
and is to be thanked le r assuming an
nneonstitnimmil and uowarrantod,alkt.hority e.
I was willing to vote;and did cote at the extra
session of Congress, to sanction the acts of, the
Executive done through theonili ary power for.
the 'purpose of suppressing the rebellion—acts
done before Congress assembled, nd for sonic of
which, perhaps, the warrant of My could not be
found. But, sir; a different statelof things now
exists': ' Congress is cbnvened, a (1 this inquiry
is directed to the.arrests of perse in loyal por
tions
of,the country. What arc •e coming to if
arrests may be made at the whim or the caprice'
of a cabinet minister? Do yOu suppose lie is
invested with infallibility so as always to decide
aright? Are you willing to trust theliberties of
the citizens of this country iii the hands of any
man, to be exercised iir that way.? May not his
order send the Sehator from Connecticut or my I
sellto prison? Why not? Wh may not the
commanding general of your Ar . y to-morrow
11_1I
say, " take the President of the 1 Iced States and
n
confine him at FortresS Monroe,'' and if he _is
asked why lie did k, may lie not l inswer, ":just 1
because!) could—because I had th power?'
Now,sir, l ain for regulating this thing bylaw.
That is the object of my inquiry. I! If additional ,
legislation is necessary for the purpose of pun
ishing persons who sympathize with treasOn in
COnnecticut, or in any other loya State of this
Union, where the laws can be enfbrded through
the judicial iribunals, 1 say let us give that addi- ,
itonal legislation, and let us not sanction the ex
ercise Df such high powers. as thestioutside of the
law, and as the Senator says, "in the plea of
necessity." Why, ffir, I deny the uecessity_. The
principle contended for would juatify riots and
mobs in punishing criminals whlerever found.
Suppbse a man has conunitted an bffense appar
ent to the .whole country, sluill the hitizens of the
country get together and execute thc man without
trial; or imprison him, and hold inn in prison,
without trial? Is that the. way :th laws of the
country are to be administered? 'las the Con
stitution no meaning, and are law to‘have no
efricaey ? 'We shalt have anarchy t once if such
doctrine is to preVail.
I do not know the facts hi reg rd to arrests
which have beta made. 'My resol lion does . not
assume'that arrests have been mad , but inquires
whether they haveheen. lf'we are ogo outside,
as the Senator has done, I may say that I under
stand arrests have been made, and 9he parties af
terwards arrested, in some instant:is, have been
discharged without trial. -Does the S mator justify
'that?
Mr. DIXON. I do. '
Mr. TRUMBULL. The Senator'
putting innocent men in prison! E
they discharged ? I take it that w
for their discharge. I/pro beard
Mr. DIXON. Tileftught to In
'then..
Mr.. TRUMBULL. They -ring t to be die- 1 1
charged, and they ought to be arres ed, too! An
1 innocent man oughtto be arrested, pu into prison,
' and by and, by discharged ! Sir, di , t is not my
idea of individual or constitutional li imey. 1 am
engaged, add the people whom I present are
engaged, in - the maintenance of the- onstitution,,,
and the rights of the-citizen under t: We are 1
fighting for the Government as our, athers'made
it. The Constitution, is broadenoughlui put doirn I
this rebellion.without any vieletions "of -At. . I do
not apprehend_ that the present Exe utive.of the
United States will assume despotic p were. •Ile
ti
is the last man to do it. ' I know th t his wbole
heart is engaged in endeaVoring to c ush this re- I
hellion, anti rknow that he would be e last man
to - overeinn the Constitution in doing 't. But, sir,
we may not alWays have -the same p
. rson at the
bead of our affairs. We may have a man of. a
very different-character, and what w are doing
to-day will become a -precedent upo t Whith he
will act. 'Suppose that, when the roubles ex- -
isted in Kansas a few y..Qrs ago, the; then. Presi
deniof the United.Strte4'had thougl t proper to
arrest the Senator orrityself, and senhim or me
without - examination, prison without•examation, wit! out oppor
tunity
,!
to anawer; because, in-his opini n, we were I
dangerous to the peace of the coun ry and the
necessity justified it ! ' What would he. Senator
have thought of such action r • 1
' - Sir, I say there can be no such neenssity in the
1 loyal porucuis of the country; where 'the courts '
- operate; because, lithe laWs are not idufficient in ,
, such localities to itenure the arrest of parties who
are eroiiged against the Government,we certainly
have tile power to amend the laws. I f et the Sen
t atorfrom Connecticut route forward with a bill
authorizing the arrest of those men in Ilia-State
Who are giving aid and comfort to the enemy, it
the laws are not sufficient already, and cetrunly
.
I shall vote most cheerfully with him for the pas
age of such a bill. Then we shall:have : the - Platt&
regulated by Jaw, and' there will be no asstunp
lion of unwarranted poVer. .
The Sepator says that sonic persons allow them- -
OelVes to be troubled 'with constitutional scruples',
rind he does not; and that th4tie arrestsgrow out
Of the necessity of the times: Sir, it is in ',just
Ouch times as these that thegreatest danger arises.
1t is in just such times as these that the foUnda
ttons of tyranny and despotism are laid; it is-not
When the penple arc wide awake to their rights..
O'you will clothe despotism With iron shoes, going
forth to trample upon the rights of the people, and
Paring chains and fetters to bind their limbs, no
topic on earth would ever submit to his sway.
'ut, sir, the despot creeps-upon • the people ono:-
Wares. .It is under the plea of necessity; under
the, pretense that it is necessaryheiliciuld assume
Unwarranted powers for the purpose of preserving
tlieGovernment dr the public Team; and then,
When the powers are assumed,and the people are.
hoond hand and foot, they have not • the ability
to extricate themselves from the tyranny that is
intposed upon them. • , E
Now, sir, no harm, I apprehend, can gri:.w out
of on inquiry - of this character, because, if - the .
reply of the Secretary of State should show that
'arrests have been Made, and that,there is no law
for4em, and that there is a-necessity far exer
, cisingo power of this kind, will it not he better,
.1 as tity, friend from Connecticut, for us to pass
a law, milt-have these things done under the law?.
Then, whynotlet the inquiry be made, so that
we-:may knoVu\siliether there to a necessity for
any such law oittot? Why undertake to justify
and commend the'nftercise of-admitted usurpa
tion, which 1 understand the Senator from Con
' necticut to dd? Sir, Pwill never commend it.
Under particular circurnintioces I may have ex- .
cuse'd some acts for doing Which the warrant of
law could not, perhaps, at the time be found; but,
air, I will never commend the usurpation of power
by tiny person. . I would avoid it oirall occasions„,
I would stand by the Constitution as‘vve have it.
11 would no more permit our own officers to vio
late-lit now, when Congress is together and can
I clothe them with the,necessary, authority, than if
, we Were at peace. -
I I hope, sir, that the resolution, whichis a siin:•
pie resolution of inquiry, will be permitted, to
pass; and I am sorry t.could not have passed
' without opposition. .'
- :Mt. DIXON. Mr. Presiden ylie Senator speaks
of this as a resolution of inquiry, as if it were
merely suggesting an inquiry to some committee.
A . ; resolution of that kind, I should not perhaps.
have opposed, unless it. Might be presumed .from 1
it that we had-some doubt with regard to the pro
priety of the action of the Executive. This is a
resolution of inquiry, to be sure; but, sir,- it is an.
inqiiiry addressed directly to the Executive, ask
'ing that branch ofthe G overn men t what it has done
with regard to the arrest of certain citizens of the
- United States in the loyal States of the Union.
.Nipili sir, to pass this resolution, it seems to
inn, implies, very directly, a doubt with regard to
the propriety of the action of the Executive, and
:therefore upon that ground I said that I should not
votei for it; beeausei Would-not even question the
propriety of their action under the circumstances,
which were well known to the country.; and hence
the Senator says (misrepresenting me, I think,.
•unintentiOnally) that 1 hare justified admitted
usurpatibn, that I have sneered at the idea or con,
stitutional scruples. , Well, sir, if I have justified
admitted - usurpation, then the action of the Gov-.
eminent upon this subject - is admitted usurpation.
It . May be admitted ,by the Senator himself: by
me, sir, it is denied. I say there has 'beep no
usurpation and no despotism. There has been an
v
exercise of extraordinary powers rendered neces
saryby the condition in which we were placed.
The Senator says (and. I confess 1 was surprised
at the tone of his remarks upon this
exercise of extraor
dinary powers by theexecutivegovernment during
the last six months.- Is it :necessary to remind
Swnaiors of what we have passed through? '
Mi. TRITAIBULL. I know the Senator does
not mean intentionally to misrepresent me; but I .
said in the loyal States of the Union where courts
wernheld.- ..-
•Die. DIXON. ~There is the very place where!'
the necessity existed. In the- disloyal State's. of
the Union we were excluded; we had no jurisdic
tion;' had no possession. Talk about arrest
ing people in the States which have seceded when
thoseStates - thify our power, when they exclude
us, when we cannot enter twenty - miles within
themi! Why, sir, of course the resolution refers
to,the loyal States of the Union. I say that is
the' very place where the exercise of thispower
was necessary.
It is not necessary for me to recall the attention
of the Senate to the condition of the country for
thee - laSt six Months. Let us go hack for a single
instant to the case Where there was an attempt on
the part of the military of Massachusetts to flass
through the city of Baltimore,and their right vas
denieili and a committeelame to Washington and
proteated:agaiilst the eirfr of Baltimore being used
as a Passage cc y for the military of Maisachui
setts Mi . their,way to the deftinse of this capital.
The President was actually compelled by neces ,
' sity=he being, almost powerless—to temporize
with those men; the whole city of Washington
was in terror; the whole country was alarined as
to the safety of this capital. Should the President_
of the United Statesohen,- - underiueh extrauhli:
nary circumstances, sit'down.to inquire whether
the COnstitution of the United. States allowed him•
to arrest a citizen of the United States in the State
'of Connecticut who was known to sympathise
with these rebels in arms?
crinfess I never have heard anything in the
Senate which filled me with more astonishment
than the remarks which have fallen from the Sen
ator from Illinois; and they.have strengthened me
iu the; opinion that this resolution ought not \to
pass.: talks about the whim and caprice of
the Secretary of ;State. Sir, I deny here, on be
half of that officer of the Government, that he hai
been actuated by whim and caprice. I Say he
was compelled to take the course he did; and,lf
lie bad not, he himself would - have been a Moral
- traitor. Now, if we are told that we might to
pass laws providing - for such cases in the future,
I havenot the least objection. If the Senator-re
fers to - the future, very well. Let hint make a
law, if he can, which shall define the powers of
the President in such a case. Let it be a-prece
dent for the future; let it be a guide fur the future,
if we ever be placed hereafter in, similar
cireunistances. But when the Senator proposes
to go back six monthi; and inquire of the Secre
tary whom he has arrested, why helms - arrested
himjand for What reason; and when he talks about
innocentj)ersons being arrested-and then dis
charged, I cannot comment upon it. I can only
ex' reismy surprise that language like thritshoultl
fall front a Senator known.to be so devoted ashe is
'to the Cause of the country and the Constitution.
Now, sir, I have stated my reason for not voting
for thiS resolution. It is because if-More than
impliet3 a doubt as to the' propriety of the action
of the precutivn.• That which has fallen from the
Senator is the very course of comment which is
generally made by the opponents of the GoVern
ment, those 'who are well known to be enemies of
the country; although many of them assume, the
theguiSe—the de.cei tful seductive, wicked, a liorti
nablc, treasonable guise 7 —of pre tended friendship
to . the Government; yet who are the most danger-
Otis men in all the loyal States. .1 respect far more
to-day Jefferson Davis, so-called president of the
'confederate States, than I do those northern men
whannw, in the press and befOre the people, are
attempting to convince, the people of the North
that Davis, and those who are acting under-him,
arc onlfatruggling for their rights; and that those
.who sympathize with and hit rand abet them are
innocent men,, and Ought not to be djsturbed by
the Secretary of State.
Sir, ir.there hai been any fault upon this sub
ject, it has been, as I have-already indicated, a
fauleof too much lenity, , There has been origi
•nally-1 will not say now—a weakness, a -feeble
ness, a system of half measures, half War, half
peace, doubtful, devious, - uncertatn ; :questioning
as to' the right to do. this arid that, when the en
emy Were throttling the Government and the Con
ititutiOn; nail stabbing both in front and rear. Sir,
the enemies of the Government arc yet around us
do every direction, and we are still standing doubt
ing as to whatcourse we should pursue.
I repeat, sir, that I will not for a single moment
;
cast the irli ,, htest shadow of doubt, so far as my
vote can go, upon the propriety s if the action of
the Goiernment upon this subject.
theit justifies
Ise -why were
s the reason
such cases.
'discharged,
Foreach ioritinuance semi-we , ,.kly or iri-weekly .
seventy-five cSnts • tor one hundred words.,
For each cUltiinbance weekly at tli`e rate of one: ,
'dollar for one:hundred words. •
NUMBER 13
•
• Mr. WILSON: I_ regret that
the Senator frOm Illinois has introduced this rem
olUtion, and I "tleplore'llie speech lie has made in
its support. That Senator knoielk, as weal) kn - dw,
- that the Secretory of State, in obedience tn. the •
order of the President of the United States, has
made arrests 14 the loyal States. Why then ask.
the Secretary it:such arrests have been made, and
- the law upon ;which they -were made? If the
Senator does opt approve of the action of the Sec-' •
retary of State!in making those arrests, or rather
the action of the President-of the United States in .
ordering thosearrests, inatead ofreflecting on the
SecrCtary of State' or the P,resident,-why does riot • •
that Senator ceme into the Senate with u hill Imo
posing to enact a law that shall clothe•theGoy-
ernment.of this country' with ample powers to
arrest and imrirlson men who are in complicity , •
witit'traitors?, , Why is it necessary at this time,
in this crisis alma country's history, threatened, -
by domestic traitors and by foreign Powers, to
come into the. Senate of tiro United States with a
resolution that carries an , implied censure with it
upop the executive government of the,eountryi-
Sir, We all' rememb6r, when we assembled on
the morning °faint F4.1)1 day of Jtily last, after the
.disaster at Jiulliltun, the gloom and anxiety that •
filled this Chaniber and the country. Our Army
had been defea led ; -- our'three - morithe men were
about to go back ro.their homes; the Government
wasleftalmost '1) owerless. Thirty-fi've thouttund
men alone stool here-for days to defend the cap.-
ital of the country, and if the enemy had acted _
with spirit or vigor they could have driven them .
out of this. capital. At ;that day, air, treason
stalked througAtilestreetiof the capital; men and
women,were engaged in correspondence with the
enemy, giving iiifortnatiof and plotting treason; -
arid Washingtop was a loyal city ! Here was the
State of'Afaryland, a loyal State, but-with men. ,
elected to her Legislature who were disloyal; and
who determined to &Clare and carry Maryland
out of the Unioit. The executive power of die
Government, iMthat hour of anxiety and gloom,
in obedience to,the patriotism and to the almost
unanimous asseht of the nation, laid-the hand of •
the Government on those traitors and lolked them •
.
up tn• prison, where many of them, thank God,
are held to-day. } That power of the Go-vertitnent
saved the State of Maryland, arid her own people,
seconding the Government, came to the rescue,
and, by more than thirty thousand majority,
plactid; the Stat 4 of Maryland ifinon g _ the most •
faithful States of the Union. '
- -
In northern cities andvillages newspaper presses
were publishing treason, proclaiming treasonable
purposes, encouraging the, rebellion. The Gov
ernment thought it was necessary, and it laid its
hands on the tenductors of those presses, and
they went down; and those who were wilting to
wound but afratilsto strike held their peace. AU
-over the North there was a class of traitorotufmen
Who had assured Jefferson Davis and his asso
ciates that northern troops would never be per•
mitted to cross ,trough northern cities to defend•
the. capital or the cause of the country, and that .
they would throttle us if it came to war. These
men all over theiNortli began to raise their - heads
and express theik synfpathy with the traitors in .
arms against that Government. - They held their
peace meetings; they held their secret conclaves;
they were e very Where in action, and during those
weeks of gloom and anxiety - following the defeat
of Bull Run, these men were making ,an impres
sion on that country; were giving aid andcomfort
to the men in arms agains.t the country. The
President of the Fnited.State,s, through,his head
clerk, the Secretary of State, had these persons
arrested; and, sire the turning of the doors of Fort
La Fayette and Fort Warren_ upon their_ hinges:
silenced innumerltble traitors in the loyal States
of the Union. They are silent today, but they
are silent through, fear. • .
_ assert that nine hundred and ninety
-1 nine of every thousand of the loyal men of the
free States applauded these arrests, thanked the
IGoirernment for them, and are with the Govern
ment on that subjec,t to-day. ',Then why come
into the .Senate Chamber of the :United States at
this hohr anciarrhign the Goierriment for saving
the country; for E . say here And now these•arrests
:have rendered more service to the country titan
the whole military power of the country has done?
I will vote for any bill that shall clothe the Exec
utive with ample ; powers ,to' arrest these traitors
wherever found. The Senator may put all the,
g,uailla and cheeks upon them hepleases. I would
net entourage tide exercise of unconstitutional
power. - . .
Mr. TRUNIP,tILL. The Senator will allow
me to ask him, is-he nut aware that I introduced
a bill fit the last.session for that veryiturpose?
Mr. WILSON.' Well; Mr.Prestden t , the Sen
ator did not find nie oPposing, it. He will not find
me opposing it now: 'Why has he not renewed
it here now withmit a resolution and without A
speech that refiec4 on this, exercise of the power
and authority or the Government to save the
country? J will go with him' for his bill, I will
go With him for any measure. of that kind; hut,
sir, will vote forino resolution, I will indorse no
speech that shall arraign the President of the Uni
ted States, or the Setretary of State, for the exee
else of this power, - wherever derived, that has
strengthened the cause of our country, tended to
repress rebellion;Snd to arrest men in complicity
with the traitors of ottr country. • .
Now, sir; this is my view; of the matter. I - do
- not believe this power has been exercised wan
tonly in any caseshatever. There may have been
mistakes. Men may hitVe been arrested Who were
willing to aid-traitors, but who found when they
were arrested thatht was an easier thing to-take
I the oath-of loyalty to the country than,it was to
endure imprisonment, and they have been let out.
I do not doubt 'the pohsibility,that some errors
may Bove beensrnmle; but that anything through
wantonness, or through a desire to cruelty, has
I. been perpetrated by the ,President, or by the Sec
retary of State, I ()Snot believe. On the contrary,
I say here now that if is my opihion, and 1 b
i e
lieve tis the opinitin of the people of the country,
that the executive department of this Govern
ment has dealt too gently with men hostile to the
country, that, there has been quire too much of '
what - the Sentithr from iOWII,I,Mr. Gnimtel calls -
kindness of heart in this war, quite - too much.
chatAty,hnd it is time that Sterner and more de- .
termined action Should be 'had both in the civil_
and military power of the country.
Mr. HALE. Mt. President, instead of feeling
grief and mortification and regret at the introduc
tion of this reiolution, I thank my friend from
IllinOis for introdileing it. I think It eminently
proper,eminently .appropriate; - . and 1 shall feel -
mortified if the• day has come :when any act of
your Executive may not be inquired into by his -
sworn 'constitutional advisers, the Senate of the
United States. If, in answering that resolution,
if it, paises, the 'Secretary of State or the Presi
dent shall deem it ftrooer to send' if to us under
the seal of executive secrecy, I shall find no fault
with that; but the . rtglit, the power, the propriety,
nd the necessity 'o~. making this inquiry,to
mind;eminently •
- Sir, I:hare,been snlong in the minority, I have
been so long in the'-habit of inquiring Into the
doings of the Executive, and so long.m the habit
df findin consider Able fault with them, that I
nifty not%e sufficiently schooled in the new po
sition in which I, stand as a political friend of the
President, to ,treat; with that deference which
seems to be
.dentanded for him by some or
friends everything' that lie does. -•
Mr. - Preaident; I came into the Senate alone,
Without: a pony; I may go out 'of it without a
party; I certainly shall go Out of it, without a
party, and stand here withoUt a party, if there lie
a party here that shrinks from the exercise of
what.Vdemn to be the constitutional_duty . and the,
high prerogative of, this body, Of inquiring into
the doings of every Department of this Govern
ment, end' of inquiring of every officer. of the
Government what he has doneond, further than
that, why he has done it. But as this was a res
olution of my friend from Illinois, I did not Choose
to pin that amendment on his resolution,ai he did'
not seem to want it. t had my reason for propos
ingit, however.
Mr. President, I maybe whittle tedious; I am
not in the habit of malting long speeches, and do
not mean tcrmake one now; but I may possibly
talk longer than will be agreeable. Do-gentleinep
know--yes, sir, they do know-L.-do they appre
ciate what our history is? Do they know what
gevelnith to this nation?. Po they know what it
was that stimulated our revolutionary fathers, and
'embodied - them together in one band to proclaim
the immortal truths of the Declaration of lnde
.
pendence ? Wats it to gainindepeittleneo ? No, sir;