STATE OF THE UNION.
Mr. HEFFREN submitted now his resolution, which was ruled out by the former Clerk, leaving out the words "in the organization of this House."
Mr. FRAZIER. I move to lay the resolution on the table.
Mr. HEFFREN. I know that motion is not debateable. I merely wish to explain that those who would be in favor of adopting the resolution should vote against it.
Mr. NEBEKER. I simply disagree with the gentleman as to the effect of such a vote.
The SPEAKER. The gentleman is not in order.
Mr. NEBEKER. I understand that.
Mr. FRAZIER. I withdraw the motion.
Mr. BUNDY. I move to refer the resolution to a select committee of thirteen.
Mr. HEFFREN demanded the yeas and nays on this motion, and they were ordered;and being taking the result was-yeas 61, nays 36.
So the resolution was referred.
On motion by Mr. BRANHAM, it was-
Ordered, That when the House adjourns, it shall be till to-morrow morning, to give the officers time to arrange their business.
Mr. JONES, of Vermillion, sabmitted the following:
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to superintend the stationery department of the House, and take such steps as to prevent waste by any member or officer of this House, or other person; and that they report thereon.
Mr. HEFFREN. I presume we are all honest; whether we are or not, I do not think it ought to be adopted. I should hate to see a resolution implying a want of honesty on the part of members here.
Mr. BRANHAM. Mr. Speaker, I could wish that the practice here would altogether justify the good opinion the gentleman from Washington has.
Mr. HEFFREN. This is my first session here.
Mr. BRANHAM. If the gentleman will look at the stationery bill for the session of 1857, he will see why this rule was adopted in 1859. The Senate, also, is disposed to pursue a similar course. Every one conversant with the appropriation bill of 1857, knows that the stationery bill was shameful.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr. STOTSENBURG. Mr. Speaker, I desire to present a series of joint resolutions. Permit me to say, that in ordinary times, I could not, (being a young member of the body,) thrust myself forward and present resolutions that look to national affairs; but the times are such, sir, that even in the month of January, 1861, events are so crowding themselves upon us, that we cannot tell when or in how short a period the Union of these States may be dissolved. I desire in stating what these resolutions are, to say briefly that they do not proceed upon the expectation that any remedy can come from Congress.
The SPEAKER. The Chair would suggest to the gentleman, that there is nothing before the House.
Mr. STOTSENBURG. I am stating the substance of the resolutions. I believe that is in order under the Manuel of Jefferson. A member is allowed the right to state what his proposition is before making it.
The SPEAKER. The understanding of the Chair is that when a member has a proposition by way of resolution it should be read first.
The resolutions were then sent up and read as follows:
Whereas, On account of alleged wrongs and irregularities suffered within the Union of the several States composing the United States of America, the citizens of South Carolina, in convention assembled, have assumed the ower to dissolve the connection existing between said tate and the Union; and there is reasonable ground to apprehend that citizens of other States for the same cause may shortly take the same steps: and whereas, all power
page: 10[View Page 10]inherent in the people, and all wrongs and injustice can be righted in the Union by the proper use of remedies provided by the Constitution: and whereas, it is the belief of the people of Indiana that the settlement of these grave questions should be removed from the halls of Congress and the various avenues of partisan strife, and submitted in a constitutional manner to the people of the whole Union: Therefore,
Resolved by the, General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That in conformity with Art. V of the Constitution of the United States this General Assembly does hereby apply to the Congress of the United States to call a convention, to be chosen by the people of the different States, for the purpose of considering and proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States and hearing the alleged grievances of the several States.
Resolved, That the Legislatures of the several States are invited and urged to co-operate with us in this application for a Convention; and the Governors of those States whose Legislatures are not now in session, are urged to convene them immediately for this purpose.
Resolved, That Indiana, now as ever, conservative and loyal, desires the maintenance of the Union in its vigor and the Constitution in its purity; that she deprecates either Northern or Southern resistance to the laws; and while she is willing to make all reasonable concessions, and to lend her aid to the redress of all real grievances, she will stand by the flag of our common country as the only hope of civil and religious freedom.
Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress, a copy of the foregoing resolutions for presentation to Congress, and also a copy to the Governor of each State of the Union, with a request to lay the same before their respective Legislatures.
Mr. STOTSENBURG. I was proceeding to state that these resolutions do not assume that any remedy can be obtained from the Congress of the United States. The events of the day-the current history of the country, show that it is impossible for Congress to compose the existing conflict. It is impossible to expect from that body any acceptable relief. There are extremists on both sides there, belonging to the two great sections, and it is impossible to get a measure of relief from that body. These resolutions do not propose to have these questions settled by them. Neither do they assume that the proper remedy is to be found in any particular State Convention, or in any Convention of the Border States, or in any Convention of the Northern States, or of the Southern States, as such. No State Convention-no Convention of a portion of the States-can settle the present difficulties, and bring peace to the country. Where, then, is the proper remedy to be found ? It in to be found in the people of the United States. Only the people who established and ordained this Government, can have the full right to change it. They alone have the right to hear grievances and right wrongs such as these, and bring peace with healing on its wings to every portion of the country. The Constitution of the United States, Mr. Speaker, was never designed nor intended by its framers to be a perfect Constitution. They had no idea at the time they made it, that its provisions would never be changed, but they expected, as time passed on, that jealousies would be engendered, and State rights invaded, and that remedies would be provided by amendments. The remedy which these resolutions propose would meet the wants of the people. The people ought to act upon the matter, and they will act in every State of this Union. And is it not right and proper, Mr. Speaker, that whenever the citizens of any State, whether of the Northern or Southern extremity, allege that they have grievances, that the proper tribunal should decide whether they are real or imaginary. If their grievances are real, they can be corrected by change of the Constitution. Such a course would pacify the citizens of all the States. It is well known to every man reared upon American soil and acquainted with American institutions, that no State or Colony ever separates from the mother country, without first going before the world and appealing for the justness of their, intentions, with a statement that they have applied for redress and could not get it. Then let us pave the way for the creation of the proper tribunal to hear the grievances of South Carolina. Tell them that the people of the United States, in Convention assembled, will calmly hear and consider all their grievances and wrongs, apply the proper remedy, and afford every reasonable measure of relief. It will give them time to reflect upon the madness which is now urging them to break down the best government which was ever given to man. Mr. Speaker, I am not a partizan in politics here. I have not introduced these resolutions as a partizan measure. I present them as one of the people of the State of Indiana, because I believe, that if the people have a chance for remedy, they will accept readily, and that the press will take it up in its power and proclaim the terms as glad tidings all over the land. I believe that such a proposition as this, as it would flash upon the wires, would be hailed with joy all over our borders from the Atlantic to the Pacific shores. I do not care who has the glory of it; only give us an effectual remedy for the evils that are threatening and imperiling our country. Mr. Speaker, now is the proper, the accepted time for this proposition. Delaware, Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky are now calling and holding extra sessions, and other States are holding regular sessions of their Legislatures. They can all act on this matter at once, they can all make this application to Congress, and Congress may immediately call a convention of the States. These States have great power in the confederacy. They desire a Constitutional remedy for every wrong in the Union; and give opportunity for it, and they will gladly embrace it, especially if the proposition comes from the great conservative State of Indiana. Sir, we owe much to these States. Virginia gave us the magnificent domain we occupy. Let us endeavor then to offer to all the States a proper remedy, by giving them a proper tribunal before which to settle all the evils that now afflict us as a nation. I move that the resolutions be printed and referred to the Committee of Thirteen.
On motion by Mr. HEFFREN, Mr. Jarvis F. page: 11[View Page 11]Jones, of Tippecanoe, now came forward, presented his credentials, and received the oath Of a member of the House of Representatives, and took his seat.
Mr. NEBEKER. I move to strike out the order to print.
Mr. STOTSENBURG accepted the modification of his motion.
Mr. McLEAN considered that, as this was a joint resolution, like a bill, it must pass the second reading before the reference.
The SPEAKER declared the motion in order, and the resolutions were referred to the Select Committee.
