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PeUnsylvania Legislature.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: '
FIIDAIC,, Fgb. -1, 1861.
The *use was railed to order-at 11 o'clotk
A.11.,15y , the SPFA.RIIR. •
Prayerliraeoffered:by.Rev. Mr. Johnson.
The CLERK proceeded to read the Journal of
yesterday, when, •
Mr. PIERCE. moved that the further reading,
of the.sante be divensed with.
— 7ll - troicStlo4 Was agrctbd tO,
'1611:1.0 CALENiiAlLL—AllabithirG TITE' InErFARY FORCE
OF " ' Mg STATE
The House resolved itself into Committee of
the Wholg (Mx. .11m:1g. in the Chair,) on bill:
Ho. 15 - ; elftitlejt "Joint Resolution relative to
military foircu of this Commonwealth."
'The first resolution was read as follows :
Pesolved By the Senate and House of Represerda-:
tines of the aommonwealth of Pennsylvania, :n Gene- -
pal ~4ssembly met, and it is hereby resolved by the du
*dray , ffil same: 1. That tv,e' : authorize the
GOvernor to tender to the 'President of the
United States the military forces of this Com
monwealth for preserving the. integrity . of this
Union and the maintenance of the Cbilstitution
and the laws:
The resolution was agreed to. •
The second resolution was read, as follows
2. That the Committee of Ways and Meamf,
be and are heiebiliistructed to 'report a bill
to organize and armAli n miiitia of this Com-,
monwealth.
Mr. RIDGWAY moved - that the Committee
rise and report progress. '
The motion was ,agreed -.
Whereupon, • • -
The ComMittee rose _and' the Chairraan re
ported thesame to the 'genie,
The question being,
Shall the Committee have leave to sit again?
Mr. ELLIOTT. . I had the honor of present
ing the resolutions now under consideration. It
is not my desire that they shall be. taken up
and discussed at the present time. I would
like to have them referred to a Committee, or
postponed for the, present, or something of the
Mud. They , have never , been referred to a
Committee.; when introduced, they were laid
upon the table: Would's motion such aslhaie
indicated be in order?
The SPEAKER. It will be when we have
disposed of the question now before the House.
On the question,
Shall the Committee have leave to sit again?
The yeas and nap were required by Mr.
- BILL and Mr. RIDGWAY 3 and were as fol
lows, viz :
Yxas—Messrs.- Ashcom, Austin, Bitel,. Blair:.
Boyer ' Brewster, Butler, (Carbon,) Byrne, Cald-
Nell, Collins, Cope, Dismant,' Divitw„Donley,
atfield,. Dunlap; Ellenberger; Heck, Hill,
Huhn, Kline, Koch, Leisertring, Lichtenwallner,
M'Donough, Manifold, Morrison, Myers, Os-.
terhout, Preston, Randall, Reiff, Rhoads, Ridi :
way, Sheppard, Brnith,' (Philadelphia,) 'Sion
back, Teller, Thomas, Wildqy and Wilson-4
.Ners—Messrs. Abbott, Acker, Anderon,
Armstrong, Barnsley, liartholOntew f Blanchard,
Bressler, Burns, Butler,. (Crawford,) Clark,
Cowan, Craig, Douglass, Elliott, Fraziei . ,
Goehring, 'Gordon, Graham, 'Harvey, Hayes,
Hofius, Lowther, M'Gonigal,,Marshall, Mullin,
Ober, Patten3on ' Peirce, Pughe,Reily,
Schrock, Seltzer,Shafer, Stehman,
Tracy, Walker, White, Williains, and Davis,
•
So the question was determined in the ne
gative.
The bill then came before the House on
second reading.
The first section of the bill was read. -
Mr. SHEPPARD. ' I think, sir, that we have
already passed a resolution in substance similar
to the first resolution before us ; and I think it,
is inexpedient at the present time to act upon.
this. I move that the,futther consideration . of
• these resOlutions be postponed for the 'Present.
Mr. SEJII'MR moved to amend by postpon
ing them until next friday.
Mr. PATPERSON moved to amend the amend
/mut by' making them the special order at
12 o'clock on next Friday.
Mr. StrITEElt accepted the amendment as a
modification.
And the question recurring on Mr. •SELT
ZER'S amendment as Inedifted,i
Mr. AUSTIN moved to amend the amend
ment b making thein the special order for Fri
day two weeks.
The amendrrient to the amenditent Was, dis
agreed to ; and, . • .
The questgo. recurring on Mr. SELTZER'S
amendment,- _ -- •
Mr. WILLIAMS . moved . to amend the
amendment by making the resolutions the
spaal'order for next Monday at 8 o'Clock,s. nt.
Mr. WILLIAMS. I propose to State few
worderny reasons for offeringthie:eraendment.
We ha - Ve been. engaged for four !weeks—ever
since the opening of, the session of this legislaf
ture--ginefforis to save the 'Union. „WS differ
as to the mode .;' - tve all Sgree n es to the object.
We, all aim atthesame end by differentrontes.
Gentlemen are all doubtless eqtallytonest.,—'.
There are two-modes - of &wing ,the ITnio{i, as
there.are two modes of settling Controver4
dee: Orie is to surrender, .either implicitly and
without reserve, or to surrender upon qualifies
tkm. The other is to defend. The .former
seems to be thepolloy of this House. I haveld4
ready . .suggested, on more than one occasion, l
that this, briny view,' is not the 'mad to . pence.i
By spelt. a' donne as that, gentlemen will,
think, obtik "not peace, but a sword." -I,
thought that I took 'the view which states-,
men ought to take .on this question. It
has been ni3r judgment from the . begin=
ning, thst . nation can be sustained' n
lees, she will demonstrate that she is 'Willing to
exert herself to conserve - her - own eiisiewas--
tbr that is the. question, involved here.. : 76r,
taking.third pOsitionl am denounekid as an ultra,
man ; I am called a man. of the sWord.
friend from Montgemerlr Aft: Trykil-iifenr, days
ago suggested, in debate, that .I.wish to resort
to the sword, and in fact, to spill the blood of
our brethren at the, South, I kriOW that . we
are told in a very old BOA, which, no dOubt,.
my, worthy , friend has read very .often., that
" they who take the sword= shall petish by:
the srivord." The , sword must be taken dean
instrument of self-defence-4 a:means for the
conservation of a people, just as a - weaporr
must sometimes be used for the defence of an
'
Now, Eir; my opinions upon this question,
though they may not meet the approbation of!
this House, are; I think; the true conservative
opinions. It is an old maxim, that, to avoid'
war you must show that you are always pre
paned to meet it. This is'an apothegm , --a well
Acisived maxim in politics ti -Theeretiettlly i l
Berfeite - tt is ftlited by rkobc4 y N T slly it
j# 4 4..W,4/113Emeu who.. call theinselves, cower :
vadve in t trad; if they do not insintiate;'they
would at leaot imply, that we, who differ from
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S 2.00
12:00
1.6.00
VOL,_. XIV.
theni o • •
pinion, are estructive in our policy. • I
think the history of all nations shows, that no:
thing short of firmness and determination; in a
great crisis like the present, can save anyna
tion. What is the cause to which all our pre
sent troublesare to be attributed? Do we not
all see that it'is the indecision, the infirmity, ,
the vacillation of the General Government?
Have we not stimulated and fed this rebellion
by our own hesitation,and irresolution, and in
decision—not merely' through our representa
tives in. the General Government; but through
the aetion .ap.l 4 7the'pollW!OrTthe legislatates of
the States?; . • -
What is , ilie-teMper 2 of thii -House with re:
gard to these questions When there is vies
tion of subraissien, Wendt hurry. We are
not alloWed even the iirdinarY privilege of de
liberation. We-are forced into : yotes upon great
questions whose - Magnitude and whose, cone,.
quenceirare not Lruly understood. We have,
within a day or two, done 'an act which I take
to have been, a greet, lthinder—not a crime,
perhaps, under the Constitution, but, as Talley.-
mild on one occasion @aid, "it is something
worse than a crime, a bliinder"—.as gentlemen.
who .sustalned' it will discover when - they
.come to reap the fruit—the apples of
Sodom---which -it is likely to produce. But,
when we come to a question of that sort, as I
have remarked, we are not to be allowed even
the privilege of sleeping upon it. But now,
when - there is a question of arming the State—
not cif going to war, but, of indicating our dis.
Position to, :prepare for it, and our, determina
tion to defend the integrity -of ,thie, great nil:
tion T then we must have indefinite postpone
inetts. I tell' gentlemen that, by such a course;
they are inviting war ; and no government.up
on the face - ofGod'searth but our own, inhab
ited by, a people whose instincts are 'over-'
wheliningly for the 'Union, could have stood
under these= circumstances, or ever will stand.
Here is a measure that can offend nobody.—
It is a question of life—not simply the lives, of
individuals, but a : question involving. the.-life,
the . prosperity, the happiness of thirty milliOns
of people. Whether ;this rebellion shall be
crushed in the bud—in its incipient state-,
whether ita crest shall go down-in defeat—will
depend upon the attitude of the great States.
It is supposed by soree gentleinen here that the
Oman is now, visited brtenipest, and the wares
of which are running mountain higitYwill be
trariquiliked by casting upon it a little bettleof
oil that you distilled here a fevi evenh*s Since.
Will itibe in? tr._ "."._ 71 .` =
Gentlemen have intimated upon thisfloor that
the whole thing is a; fide—it is a trick—it is a
false pretence—it is a juggle. It is not intend
ed to result in. - Einviti* g . It is merely to
consume time. ' 9,h r gentlemen moderate
the men with Whom:
they have to deal.
If we are dunces—if; we cannot see the conse
quences of . these things—We cannot readily
deceive thein. They .know hoW to deal
with Northern Legislatures, and Northern peo
ple. The policy which they have heretofore
pursued successfully, they think they can now
adopt w , ttb.the name result. gowf( s ) .uiatAimit
stand-T.-This- (Tony •••entiorri it seen* • - not .
petted to accomplish anYthing. -- Inthe 'xneari
tirne this hugp*be i on. ii•developing and .`ram
ifying, extendingitshriddred arms throughout,
the whole South. Our public arsenals and forts
are seized.; and while rre quietly,sit here
out a soldier_ in readine to give - his itssilltance;
(though , * haie thousands- anti tens of thous
ands era - herb, if theywere cOed. opon) thetap
ital of our nation is to: be seised by -a- grand
ee:fp d' dal. These eight; millions of white men
in the Southern States are to take_possessiOn of
this ,Goyenunend lave dt declared de facto
thefrown.-"Y•etlritoiief.Penti.sylvintia,when
it conies - toa, question of self-tlefence-Lthe mere
exprepelon `of adoterhaination eh our part to pre
pate• for the - di ... lies-are for it'off Indefinite
ly. Are they Men of Pennsylvania Haintliey
Pennsylvania hearts hilheir , bosoms ? I tell 'them
again; the ; policy which ;they recommend is one
which does no honor to the; memory of their
sires. It was not thus that our forefathers met
a crisis like the present—perhaps not even so
great. I hope gentlemen will-refer" to the ex-'
ample Of their,Revelulionary ancestors. ' , hope
that nothing will, be done to.discredit our his
tory. I hope that we shall place nothing upon
our recordS May . declare that this great
governmentLthe greatest, the best, the most
blessed the world ever saw—is to be overthrown.
I trust we shall place nothing . on our record to
Sim)* that it was the loaf:dial bind of the Penn
_
sylvaninLegitdature that contributed to its de
'structiOn. •
_ _Kr-BYRNE. I must confess that - my voice
is still for Reece.' T ara'not in favor oI war. I
think that for us to assume at:this time a war
like attitude would be unwise. Ido not ap
prove of arming the State of Pennsylvania be
fore We kiroWo that there will bea necessity for
it. aLfirst , thought that.this was simply a
general Till for arming the militia of this State;
I thought it_ merely related to the militia sys
tem: Thitifit be,-as the remarks of-the gentle-
W1T 3 '. 1 4 3 0-linliii;•• a
proposition, bythe adoption of. whichwe shall
plaodonitielieis iriL an attitude`of war, I think it
rs'eun.wlV,: ;T; think it is ,freatture'. ' ,Does
stliegelifferAintear in mind- tin'itAhOse Btates
: against *horn he wishes us to arm this : State
are sister State s ? • Does he not remember that
the men of .the South, whom he proposes
to - fight, are our friends - and our brOthers
Doeif he consider theni the same light ais
Foreign foe, that Might•&me with their cannon
booming our shores? Does he not consider
that they are a part , of our flesh ,and blood?
Whew a ship has encotintprede Hurricane, quid
when the danger, of destruction is:dmmiftent,
the captain sometimes directs .4120 the cargo
shall' be- thrown bier - hoard, - fave thp ship.
Sp it should be with , tie. • We should exert
every nerve,, we, should exhaust every, measure
that looks to peace. • When every Peaceable
measure shall have 'failed, then, and then alone;
I shall be for measures of war.
I think it unwise at the Presept time to pre
sent to our sister States a hostile attftucle.
friend from Allegheny:(Kr. WTT.T.T A 1119) has yet
to learn that this niusit'on for whose appoint
ingtt we haie provided, will be of no avail.
He: can see into the .future as well as I can ; but
I still have'hopes from the acrion of these gen
tlemen who are about to proceed to Washing
ton. I hopelor-t.he best. - Evil will will - not
come at anyrate befo t ieiwe shill- have time to;
be :preliariSl for it:: , These 4teatilunonaliiimihe
to places in a warlike poiltion in advanee:
shall vote against them; There is time "enough
for any warlike measures. Let us net be pre
mature: ; Let xis: not; be rash and hot-headed.
view:: the subject calmly and dispel?,
gickgrAdy—liettis,:if ire-can, hold out the olive
lartkn, 441 ofzßefice, regardless of Tavt9.-plaiforcha,"
will - ehshould be thrown to the winds of beaVen
in this day of the nation's peril.
Mr. FRADEB. give
. geritiOnen credit
for patriotiennigei3.' M Agar`desire to have
prompt action these resolutions. But I.
think, that Monday i a rather unfortimate day
for cdii~ @ tirisg ' liimtij4 r et'of this kind. rani in
favor of considering these resolutions st as ear-
u IND . EPENDENT IN ALL THIN-GS-NEUTRAL IN NONE."
HARRISBURG, PA., MONDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 4,
ly a day as possible; but I think that any other
day of next week would be better than Mon
day. I. see no particular reason why Friday
should not, be acceptable—Friday at noon. I
hope that. Monday will not be fixed as the day
for considering this subject.
HILL. I am altogether opposed to the
adoption at this: time of Any resolutions of this
nature. I am ready , to believe that the gentle--
Man from Allegheny (Mr. WairAns) is entirely
sincere when he claims to be for peace ; but sir,
it does strike sue very strangely that he should
conceive that, the appropriate means for obtain
ing peace in this instance consist, in preparing
for war. Why sir, has he studied the southern
character—does he know the history of his ,
country, when he claims that a preparation for
war will intimidate the menof the Staith, and
force them into measures, of capitulation? A
just view of the character of the South does not
justify any such assumption. •
BM there is another view. 'Ate we now to
resort to measures of intimidation when we
have within a few hours provided for the ap
pointment of Commissioners whose ~mission.is
to devise some peaceful mode of settlement by
conseltation and conciliation ?' Yet, tight'in
the face of this. proceeding; -we are asked to
sanction a proposition for placing the State inn
hostile attitude. Such action would 'be el-_
tremely unwise. It would be an insult to those,
CommisSioners whom we have sent ; it Would
take from them every power which they might
otherwise exert to restore peace.to the country.
Why should this. Legislature adopt resohy,
tions of this kind? Do the people demand
Haire we received any petition to this 'effect?,
On the contrary, are we not flooded day after
,day with memorials, and bills. expressing the
sentiment of the people in favor of nteasnres, of
peace? Yet, regardless of the exprisssed will of
the people, it is now proposed that we shall
the very-thing from which they beg "us to ab
stain.
WILLIAMS.Mr Will the gentleman io.osti
me to ask him a
. qu.estken? . ..;
Mr.-:-HILL. Certainly.
Mr. WIT,TJA NS. If I have, not misunder
stood, the gentian= voted forithelreacolutions
passed an eveningler two Since cuithbfikhig the
appointment of the Commissioners to whom he
has referred. I wish to know• whether there
were before us any petitions 'from 'the people Of.
Pennsylvania in favor of that measure, and if so,.
how many.
Mr. HILL. So far as I have been able 'td
the sentiment of the people of Penn
sylvania, as indicated in those petitions in
which they, have urged us to wipe -from our
statute books offensive laws, the sentiment of
Pennsylvania'; is strongly iu favor of. any-mea
sure looking to Conciliation and peace.,
Mr. 'WILLIAMS. The
,gentleman
ex
cuse me, but he has not answered my qiitifferi.
I ask whether there were atiypetitfims present);
ed to this House , in favorf o the measure which'
I have designated.'
•Mr. 141 - 11,, ' That was a rename
not require S Chia , etit4ort.,"
1 . 4 1 6 K. "
enough to know that such a measure wqul
harinonize with their wishes. In a variety
,f'
forms, officially and otherwise, had
the indications that the people ef - Penksylinnisi
are in favor of exhausting every eipedient" to
restore peace to the ,conntry:,..We-Well tinder- -
"stand that they wish, in a' Spirit of .
to restore harmony and adjust the criffieulties.
which are now threatening to dissolve . this
'Onion. The resOlutions now before , Tis do not,
in my view, harniOnlie with thatpenee-desiiing
sentiment' which I believe in . wide-spread
throughout the State. I think the elfect.of this.
Measure will be directly the opposite of Any
thing like peace ; and I shall therefore Oppose
it in every shape.
Mr: PATTERSON. I certainly doubt the
propriety of hasty action upon this question.H-
But a few days ago we adopted mcasureii, ?kith
the view of sending a Conimiseioner to Wash
ington bearing the olive branch: When we
have taken this step toward the peaceful ad
justnient of diffieriltieS, 'We no*. accom
pany it with a th4at ? My friend from Alle
gheny (Mr. wrkaagii) has had occasion tb i ciiti
cise the attitude, of the South in addreasmi'tO
us propositionakir Owe, coupled withalhteht.
Is, it proposed "that we shall 'now imitate the
example ?. ,
I entirely agree 4ith my'frierid when he says
;that '"in time of peace We should pieparefor
Nair." But with whorri areWe now to engage-in
war.?,ls it with a foreign foe ? Ne; the i 'inr
which is now propOsed is against these who
our brothers, bound to us by 61%7 tie' of fellow
ship and kindred; and separated from us gee
grapldcally only liyaniinaglimiillhe.
a - war as that, none of us should be eager, to wni
military honors;
' BARTHOLOMEW. If the
,geiitlerrian
will allow me to proliound'a,questicin, I *Mild
'ask 'whether the State of Virginia Is tiot,arraing
to day ?
Mr. PA'ITERSON. I suppose the gentlemen
knoWs.. •
Mr. BARTHOLOMEW: I:ask thegentlerdan
whgther he does notknotir?
' Mr wllaiET. I wonia ask, what i§ the
question now before the Haase?
The SPFAltilllt.'' The ipieStien upon'the
postponement of the bill.
Mr. WILDEY: . Is that question debatable?
The SPFAIOR. The clitileconsidore'thht,ilin
question is 'Aebatable, but : gentlemen' must
confine themiebies closelY as Phgeible.tb the,
motion. The Speaker a s allowed considerable
latitude, heretofore, ind will continue to do
Kr. PATTERSON - . , 'latitude has been allovied
hitherto, and I hope that the same latitude will;
be.allowed.to <those who .entertain a 'different
opinion from the Speaker. . •
- The SPEAF,EIt. The Speaker has net ea
primit4l any ' ' . •
Mr: PATTERSON. I hope that this House
Will not sanction any hasty aetian. We have -
appointed 'a Commission ; let my not ant
or nullify the-action of thatecinnniasion' by pro-.
ceedings here. Gentlemen need not fear that,
an idea will prevail that Pennsylvania is scared.;
It is time enouglk,for penngarlyania to act when;
she is called to act.: , •Mre do not wish to place!
ourselves in Warlike, attitude., We _hope NO'
good may result from , the action of :the Pannobi -1
non. For Godi - sake, then, Jet us give Munn a l
little time. ,
•
.
)5.r. H9FIUS. If properly,unden3toixl
resolutions passed:a few evenhtga , dupe,. and,
those which it is, now Proposed, to adopt, theY:
are intended to meet. two distinct; and AParata
oases. If I rightly, uplerst4nd- therrepPlatioria,
passed a few everdpgs ago, they WeFereS9luttorks'
proposing measures of compromise„ with• the
border States—those, States that haVegket taken ,
Up arms against' thfs - government , titurader
startd, the propositiOn of ; thepresent xesolutions,
we are preparing by glow todneettl,:kose,of the
Southern States that, have already WEe O : I6I IP
arms. I trust this House considers it justm
, important that, me- should eL place ouxelysi 1p a
decided attitude With respect to those States
that have taken aggressive measures, as that we
•
should assume air attitude of conciliation with
respect to the:border States. The resolutions ad
opted a few , evenings since were no doubt consid
ere'd by a nnij °Tay of this House entlielyproper:
With 'regard 'to 'that 1 - haire not, a word' to say
at - the present: tiine. I think, however, that
the: action of ,theE,ltouse on those resolutions
need not constitute any obstacle to the adoption
of 'thie resolutions' now before us. These, as I
imdfttancl them,' have' refetence only tO States
thatiare now in actual and. open rebellion. I,
for one, am not willing, to admit that the. State
of Pennsylvania,. under these circumstances,
will' ower 'down and refuse to 'let her views go
to the world upon this subject. lain prepared
stalltimes, andunder any ciMunistances,torueet
eMergenel,e,s like this,. I care not whether they
come Vont the I7oith or the Koutir. lam pre
paigitto meet those Statei of the South upon
their onzrounds ; and, if you please,l am will
ing to meet them, with their own weapons.
If, South Carolina, sir, IS prepared to take this
course, to- wage 'war upon the State of Pennsyl
vim% and the free StateU generally; I do hope
that` he State of Pennsylvania will stand up to
South Ca,rolina. I care not, sir, .whether the
disposition of Southern men is brave and bold,
as remarked by the gentleman from Montgom
ery -Km). I care not-- -
Mr. AUSTIN. .Willthegentleman allow me
to ask him a question ?
11.0FITJS. Yes; sir, a half dozen.
Ms. AUSTIN. In what way dcies the gentle
than'desire that Pennsylvania shall spud up to
,South Carolina—to sustain or to oppose her?
Mr. HUMS. I wish the State . of Pennsyl
!while to stand up to South Carolina; as men—to
itabLl up teher, 'if the ientlentan pleese.s, in a
military eapacitY, with shch ifienAt'Vate , not in
clined; in this. hour of trial and trouble to re-
.
sign their tary comreissions - : ,
— Mr. AU STIN: The gentleman has not an
'layered my question. ' • • • '
Mr. HOVIUS. I will - suffer thyself to be in
terrogated farther, if the_gentleman wishes.
Mi. AUSTIN: The
,gentlenaan says that he
wishes Pennsyliania to Stand up to South Caro
lina. desire kilo* in what waY he wishes
Penurlivania-to stand up to South Carolina.
Mr. -HOFICIS. • Pennsylvania is to stand , up
to: South Carolina, in this way. If South Caro
lina c]arges upon the Free State's or upon this
Government, and says to in; that this govern
ment, atilar as •sheiis concerned,- is diSsolved,
and, • that,she will terry out this dissolution by
force of arms, I wish the State of Pennsylva
ilia to standup and ; say' that so far as she is
concerned the Statd of South Carolina can
-
act _cower . her ..doWn h .will' adniit, that
theAtate; - , of ,South. Carolina, may intimirlate
some. of our . military. men--may intimidate
'smite of 6ur weak-kneed brethren ;—bUf hold
that, with iegarditi the` masses Of ' the State of
Pentisylvarda,:for every one__ that is , disposed to
bang back in this prisis, there will advance
forty Voliinteeis to fill the vacancy. I for
one (and I bell* that my fiSelinfis• correpond
with the SentlmentddPennsfiVitnia) wilPnever
, • - mieelfiraton; shalli..go forth. to
•-• *t. ,
are willing that , South Carolina shall, make
'those-threats; and that 'we will pass them by
in this Legislature, and refuse to make the
- fitting,response., u. •
I, sir, would even ,oppose putting this meas
ure off a sufgle.liour ; I would .be in favor of
taking it rip and passing upon it to-day, were
it.not that the , gentleman who introduced it
:has asked that it Pei laid over for a:. few.days.
For,the purpose, of, accommodating him, and
fbribit 'alone, I wtinld consent that this mat
ter be laid over until Monday next.
1.h.01d, Mr. Speaker that the honor, the dignity, and tire reputation of the State of
Pennsylvania are at stake in this matter ;- and
so far as I am concerned, its' honor and - its dig
nity shall never be Sacrificed in this Legialature
with my:vote. or with my voice. I hope, Mr.
.Speaker, that this House will adopt, the amend
ment imdel consideration, and make this the
SpeCial order for nett Monclay B' that ,time,
it is to be hoped, the "weak knoes"-will be
stiffened np;,and be.prepared to march With us
to that.nolile conquest that lies before us. •
Mr. SIigTANI). I hope the amendment of
the 'gentleman from Allegheny (Mr'. Virrixaans)
will not prevail: .As I remarked, when I made
the motion to postpone for the preSent,.l think
the passage ,of this. resolution is entirely un
nepessary. We have adopted a resolution ten
dering-the forces-of'-the 'State to the General
.Government, and, that `resolution--'has been, I
.believe,communicated to ,the President., -
, I think that the passage of these resolutions
rit'this time would be productive of evil rather
than of good: Gentlemen whd are opposed 'to
the repeal,of , a portion of onr Penal- Code, as
demanded by, lhousendal of our citizens, are
iirrantious to press, ,the
.passage of these re
solutions:' In my . 06W - there are two lines of
policy that now lie open4iili.m. One is the po
llcy of pew, the other that.of war. The:brit
us that which I dpsii:e to-. Pursue. I do not de
sire* my action here, to place this .Common-
Wealth in a threatening attitude, until Cirenni-
Stances demand: it: When the General Goierti
"mut whose duty itis to enforce the laws of
the United States, shall call upon Pennsylvania
fo'r ,one, :shell be ready to respond.
' , bit-inasmuch as-we have already adopted rete
ll:aims 'expressive .of Our sentimenta, and is
these, resolutions have been communicated to
the Piesident, I think that it would be injudi
cioniat this time 'act Upon the resolutions
now 'before us. ' I lime thatthe amendment Of
theientleman from Allegheny will not prevail,
and that these resolutions,will not be made the
,
special.order for next Monday. •
Mr. FITIOT2. Asl befdre remarked, I do
not wish press these resolutions to a deter
mination at the:present time ; but I cannot sit
mtieralyln, my seat; na„ hear them sogrossly
isrepresented: If gentlemen will refer to the
bill upon •their files, - they will 'And . 'that; the
preamble recites the very-Cethditiori upon whiel
this tenelution. is based. The °Neat, of the ro
solutords not to intiteta.te Virginia,. or Mary
land; or ' any ..ortliiise. 'Etates: The Preamble
recites the cansiisiviiibli:*46 impelled 'me' to
submit. this merman. :Mole I sit 'down -I shrill
aek the . Chir.V.4 o ‘. :TM'. that preamble; and.l
ltOpe'gentlemen will listen to it attentively. If
'entler:hen are in fever of South Carolina, or
anY.Otlier,Strite, Sonthern or Northern, doing
those' Etta which are there: enumerated, in
God's nmire let them e,xpress their approval of
such acts by voting against these resolntions,
'bit if they are 'opposed to such proCeedings its
arethete referred to; if theY are - opposed 'te the
aetion..df South , Carolina in firing, upon the
Ve.:uPite4 Stateavar seizing
iron ia arms, munitions, and, forts, let them ex;
'Oppesition hi any such pioceedings
by a vote in favor of 'these resOlutiona:' 'nen
ttot, see oh what plea gentlenten can :abstain
tr4:l,34'PW.ttixerethagL,l s
I hope that f,he motion, make this .subject,
Use :sal ordes for prevail If
at' that time gentlebieft r donet4ishib'netirPori
them.; they,%may rpoktPonedi until inahei
day. lam not particular with reference to the
precise time.
1861
.
There has been no haste in regard to these
resolutions. 'TheY:Were . introduced on the 12th•
of January and have lain on, the table ever
since:' I have deneriothing to bring thein up.
There has, been no precipitate:or premature
action in regard to them. They COlie upin the
ordinary conrse - of bushiess. ' Gentlemen do - not
listen to complaints with-regard .to haste when
they wish to fore. Upon us some dirt-eating
cOntrivahee, ''sitch 'as - those that 'haie been
brought ; p,almostevery day, andwhichil un.=
derstand, it is the intention to renew in quick
succession.: Where' has been the haste? Hai
it been on our part ?: I think it is, to say the
least, very , impolite in gentlemen to charge
haste upon this side of the' House. There has
been no 4020, in, regard: to the matter. ) We
}uric acted calmly and coolly. ' . We have sub
initted-good a grade'. as 'we
could, when gentlemen, have , forced J.upon; us
propositions that seemed to us
I do not Wish thnethe'merits of * Ail; 'restilu
.tion shall be discnssecild•stay, and"l hope,that
this debate will stop here. I trust we
shall postpone the Subject Until Monday. This
is the first, request that. I have made of- the
House, but if gentlemen choose to vote it down,
they may do so. . • •
. Mr. SELTZER. The resolutions now before
us do not prOpOse any war-like proceedings.—
Their object is to tender to the President of the
United States the military forces of this Com-.
'moil ealthifor maintaining the integrityof the
llnion,land the supremacy of the Constitution
and the laws. It is, I- believe, the Fatheriof
our Country, who has said, "in-time of peace
prepare;for war." • •
No actualwar is now npon this country; :but
we are`" — altogether 'unprepared, if any such
emergency shduld arise. We are vrithcint firma
to place in the landaof, our people, however
ready they Might be to fight. This resolution, is
lsimnly..wpropositiiiittoorgcurize our militia and
place it in a suitable attitude for the contingen
gendp of war.
In regard to, the time .for the consideration
of the subject, I think Friday sufficiently early.
hope - that‘ my friend ''from' Alleg.heny - (51r.
w4IT , EA I OO' - .mill agree ,with me, and withdraw
hie, proposition to fix next lironda.y.
Mr. WRIT • MP ' May I ask the gerttieman '
a question.? :
,
Mr. SELTZER. Certainly.
--Mn WILLIMfS. I Would ask the gentleman
whether he thinks.that alirionth or sir weeks
any too much time, in the present condition of
affairs, to prepare for the emergericies'whicla we
are expected to - meet ? I ask Um-:whether we
have a day to lose?
• Mr. SELTZER. ,il am frank to say.that rdo
not believe the period he suggests would beany
MO long ; but at the same time we have a great
many business- 'matters to . dispose Of On next
Monday—petitions and one.
.thing:or another.
Mr. "WILLIAMS: 1:would ask the gentleman
whether thare,is 'rant 'subject of national Or
State legislation, nc.rnit irnportance,t4pAhe
'one - upon which I am now urging the speediest
possible action.
. swim& --wew r approve 01pm - re=
solutiOns'lleartily .; but at the seine time Ido not
think .that w'eek's would do anY mate
,
fiat harm. It will giVe - ris opportunity
reflect upon the questions*Volved I liave,rio
particular"objection' to acting upon the Subject
next lifen&Y,kb:Vital 'twOuld prefer that the
gentlenian cent le allow the matter
to He'bier till next Filday; , *l4 - eia. rsiian endea
vor to discuis the irreations involved More frilly
arictraore to the point:
Mr.' BUTLER . (Crawford.)' It has been .
re
marked by 'the gentleman from Montgomery,;
-(Mr. 'Ffrri.), in regard to the resolutions adopted
a few evenings ago;,that there was no necessity
for any petitions'on that subject, because we'all
knew that such action was demanded by the
people. Now, sir, I conceive that .we had, no
such evidence. We had evidence that the, peo
ple of Virginia demanded it, and: as an act,of
courtesy, this House adopted thoie resolirtions.
But we had - no evidence that the people of our
own State demanded it: Ido notbelieve that
they did demand. it. But that, act has been
donee; we Italie appointed the CMionisSioners.
Now, my opinion is,that we should stop tinker
ing and let Uncle Sam rest a day or two. lam
opposed to fodng-Monday;tTriesday,or any oth
er day for thoconsideration of-theseresolutions.
I think the beat iicrit e - wooild be them
to come to tidrdyeading and then postmme them
forthe present.' When tlidtikai shall arrive for
action—ivhen the necessities' of- the . thins • de
mand . their passage - . - -this.4o,rlSe can take them
rip; I haVe no doubt', arid Pass theriallrfive min
utes hby a:unanimous vote. Such a collide din:
not be construed as exhibiting any unkind feel
ings toward the South. - It cannot Have the ap
pearancd of a menace": We ban accomplish by
it all that we can by hot haste, and more than
we Canby delay. •
It appears.to be conceded on all hands that,
Uncle Sam is despera,tely sick. The danger, I
think, is'thEit'he array 'tea' .dOctors.
Every maxi his lits ormiriethml of cure ; every
man his specific Tor saving the Union ; every
man proposes`.his''own`Mode"Of d'actering the
old gentle - x=3. It reminds Melt. little of spar
cel of old women who, as I have heard related,
assembled 'once around 'a 'sick person. When
thoproper'physichin came, every One of these
old women had . her particular remedy. Each
one would exclaim, "Doctor, try this; if it don't
do, any good -it won't do any hurt I"
Now, I am opposed such contemptible
tiiikering, let it 'come from whereit may. When
the time shall--arrive to administer medicine;
let.it be done effectually—in Such a manner_ ea
regard to any action on he sub
ject now before us `we shall be•perfeetly safe. hi
following the lead of the,General Government.
When the time comes to arm, *hen the-neces
sity Mises; I say, "Eirmto- the teeth ;: act' like
men; draw, the sword, and throw away, the
.-
Seabbard." 'But - IMO' that
,let us be
moderate.. , • •
Alr. BURNS. In all our proceedings hereto
fore, there' have been profuse recommendations
"action." all the measures that'h'ave"
come before us reliting to the State, of the
Unitin; we have"had '"action",niteil& Alp
from. every quarter. We laic beenlurged 'to
appoint delegates; and we have acceded to the
request; the delegatiOntas,4 believe,` been ap
pointed, and the, ooriventibn will speedily meet
at Washington, to-use their, endeavors to bring
about Peade. I thieekelsr hobo-`that the action
of that convention may maybe=productive of good;'
yet I confess that Lhave no such expectation.
But whateverii to'bithe result of the-meeting
of that convention,ithave no _effect upon
the action of this Rollie with regard to this
proposed preparation for-war. If that conven
tion should4tecomplith what its friends claim
that it will - effect, 'then - thilirMeasure can dO ne'r
harm; but if the Cormntion....shbuld rdtogetliet
fail to devise' any remeAY fqx
then-'the =action Which thli billproptoseiatb'
consnmmatelwili beanactuatneoessity..lWhatv
then, is the use of waithiewhile patters.re,-,
ma i n i n this threatenhittate'OV unceriatity'r
I believe that the proper course of action, in the
present emergency is to enforce the lave of the
fit= Utinting
Haying procured Steam. Power Presses, we are
prepared to execute JOB and BOOK PRKSTINO or every
description, cheaper that it can be done at any other ee
tabUshmentin the country.
RATES O 1 ADVERTISING.
/Or Four lines osiers constitute one-hag aquae. Fig h
Ikea or more than lour constitute a square.
Half 9 gnare, one day
one week... .. •
one
three - moot:18 •
la al* months
, • 01IC year.. ***
one i=guare One day
000 Week . ...... ... .... . 00
" . OneroOnth e ..— •
-800
three months. „ ......... . 5 00
six months..., 8 00
one year " 10 00
Syr Business notices inserted ill the Leval- column, of
before Marriages and Deaths, ME cmas PER LINE
Sri each insertion. ,
girbiarilitges and Deaths to be charged as regniar
advertisements.
'NO. 27.
land. I believe that all measures which do not
proceed.uponthisprinciple must, from the very
nature'of things, fail to meet the case.
Military men tell me that - our militia system
is iri a very 'bad state—that . Wl:Leeds re-organi
zation.. ..T. believe that this is the proper time
to put it in an efficient condition. Adopting
the simile of a previous speaker, I believe that
the prudent. course . is, in time of health to have
the medicine prepared for a possible eniergency.
With regard to our own; national condition we
are not actually in health. Sickness is upon us;
we are in 'a bed condition. We should prepare
the medicine and have it ready, so that it may
be adro' • 'stered whenever the emergency may
dcrtiand it. My serious belief is that it will be
needed very soon.
Mr. HILL. I would like to ask the gentle
man a question. Using a very proper simile he
has spoken, of the different remedies for the
sickness of the, country. I would ask the gen
tlerean Whether he'belongs to the allopathic or
the liomcepathic school. Does he approve of
like remedies or unlike remedies?
Mr. BURNS. I would answer in this way. I
believe that desperate cases require desperate
remedies. I leave it for the House to judge
what are desperate remedies. I am not versed
in medical lore, so as to be able to decide crit
ically upon the merits of the homcepatidc or
any other system ; but I will say that, as to the
character of remedies to be adopted in the pres
ent emergency, I believe in such as will do
something. I think it folly to administer a
wishy-washy kind 'of stuff that will merely
make one sick. I would desire to administer.
something that will operate—something that
will effect a cure.
I was about to remark when the gentleman
Propounded his question that if it is true that
our Government is of such a nature as to be' in
capable of sustaining itself—if the Constitution
, of this country is not sufficient to meet our na
' tional,exigencies—if we must go outside and
concoct other measures to bolster up our Gov
, ernment ; it is-time that we should know the
fact. For my part I, do not believe that the el
ements of destruction are incorporated into our
Constitution. I believe that our Government
is a strong Government; capable of sustaining
itself even in such emergencies as the present.
The difficulty is that we have failed to exert
those preservative agencies which it provides.
liVe are always scared at the threatenings of
danger'. .We have been governed too much by
the policy,of fear. That, however, seems to be
the policy which many gentlemen are now dis
posed to favor. •
Mr. BYRNE. Will the gentleman allow me
to ask him a question ? Did be ever send for a
'-doctor before he was sick? ' •
Mr. BURNS. The gentlemen asks me whether
I ever send for a physician before lam sick.
Have we not the evidence - that we are sick ?
What is the evidence in this case ? How is it
with regard to South Carolina ? Do her actions
say 4hat ate is in a healthy state as regards our
,tig4ta under the Constitution 7 I think that un
iloit is siok She has a d'sese that calls
• • be - appikatiotrorn remedy,—yes, I think it
should be something powerful. The evidence
is SuCh as I think ought to satisfy the gentle
then thatthere is something wrong—that there
is diseaie abroad in the country—that this gov
ernthent, is in a state of, I was about to say,
arialchy-=and Perhaps such language is not al
' together inapplicable. What I wish is that we
should=act in the matter—that we should pre
.pare :some remedy, which,when the proper time
shall arrive, we may administer.
Mr. dOIt,DON. lam in; favor of oonaidering
theta, resolutions at as early a day as possible.
I therefore approve this proposition to make
them the special Crider forldonday. Perhaps I
might be willing to postpone them until Tues
day ; But lam certainly opposed to so late a
day as Friday; because I expect at tbat time to
he absent.
,
With regard to- the resolutions themselves,
Ido not know exactly what to make of them.
One resolution is to tender to the President
of the United States the military forces of this
Nacitinonwetdth " for preserving the integrity
of the. Union and the maintenance of the Con
stitUtion ; and the Committee of Ways and
Itletniteraie called upon to report a bill to or
iwniz_eiand arn the militia of- this Common
wealth. Now, there is a difficultY which sug
gests itself to my - mind. • Radical as lam upon
these subjects, I want to do that which is effec
tive. Ido not wish to take any action that
wilLamohnt to e nothing. Ido -not, by any
means, wish to go on a Quixotic expedition.--
What r want to know is this : Suppose that we
ditfarni the militia ; suppose that we -placed a
Minnie rifle or a musket into the hand of every
,
ainilable 'Pennsylvania. Now, we all
know that "these farces tires organized can only
be used in the defence' f, the State itself. The
Governor of the Commonwealth cannot tender
that: militia, to the President of the United
Status, because it must, depend upon the will of
each individual Whether he will engage in the
pron.:Fed:service. The Governor of the State
has nopower to transfer these forces awl.
,place
theni Mader ' the command pf the Presrident of
the United States. I believewe all know- that
such is the fact. . .
Nbw what are we going' to do with these
forces when- organiZed ? '-Nobody Is expected to
come from South. Carolina to attack us here in
Penthylvanfa. If such an invasion were made,
Ifancy. it would '2require , no very formidable
force to resist it ; a few shot-guns. would be
sufficient to repel it. What are we going to do
with this militia? Buppose theth fully organ
ized, every, man with his musket in order, with
his pill-box - 1y • his' side-Lnot honmepathic
doses, but ounca-balls. -! -- -What are - we going to
do with this militia? If there ,be any sum
mons to arnis it milk - came' from' the authori
ties.at Washington • and • the -forces must con
sist of each individual man who chooses
tb into 'thee' arm of-the, United States
' as, ;a . volnitteer;., There must be, as 'there
was during the Mexican war, a volunteer sys
terii. How is that conducted ? "By individuals'
vobinteering - and being regularly :organized,
This being the case, should the _militia,of-our
. stittg now he - organized it mustlereOrgaiiized
'befogs; becoming. a. part of ' the army 4.,:the
United S4tes. It could, not , other,-w*fie 'ef
feCti. lid in any imaginable-ethergerictelceept for
the mere purpose of repelling au:illy 'mien.
But there is something 'that we do want.--
From the Adjutant-GenerareitePoit, It:appears
that we are poorly , provided , with arms.., The
quota that is furnished.by the United States au
thority is not sithcient 0 arm even, our volun
teers imder`the piisent organization. An addi
tional supply , of an is is certainly absolutely ne
ceMa. Hence there is need 'that something
ibir,done in this direction; and although, we may
ii•Sfiectit these reldutiims, we May'ardont some
thing else; cirl*riaity adopt a part of what they
purpose : _,,Wpmay ttdopt,' this direction to the
QM_ 11 4 - be te:Vi r ays
.a,hdMeaus, to report a bill
*traymerencelo the purchase of arms; because
thit is,'aft* all about Whit we want. It hi im
ortant that in regard to this matter we should
take action soon. As has been remarked upon
bti n
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