Indiana State Guard, Volume 2, Number 21, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 March 1861 — Page 2

THE INDIANA STATE GUARD.

WILLIAM Cl'IXEY,'

EDITOR

SATURDAY, -

MARCH 30.

The Constitution of the Slave Confederacy, Our Southern exchanges contain the recently adopted Constitution of the Slavs Confederacy infull. We have read it carefully, and must confess that, except its special provisions in regard to slavery, it is about as good a charter of government as could have been devised. Probably this excellence is due from the fact that in all important respects it is a copy of the one the confederacy has just repudiated, though improved in a few points which experience has shown to be imperfect in ours. The changes that have been made are in the main of the kind we have indicated, rcpnirs of defects and oversights detected by the years of practical working of our Constitution. One very sensible provision is this: "Congress shall not appropriate money from the Treasury, except on a two-thirds vote of both Houses, unless it is asked and is estimated for by some one of heads of departments, and submitted to Congress by the President, or for the purpose of paying their own expenses and contingencies; or for the payment of claims against the Confederate States, the justice of which shall have been judicially declared by a tribunal for the investigation of claims against the Government, which it is hereby made the duty of Congress to establish." The requiring of a two-third vote to pass a bill expending money for other than the regular duties of the Government, or in payment of claims judicially established, is a wise provision. Another judicious amendment to the Constitution gives the President power to veto any single appropriation in a bill with

out affecting the others. This provision would kill off a vast deal of dishonest legislation, if we had it to govern our Congress with. Another provision requires Senators to he elected at the session of the Legislature next preceding the commencement of the Senatorial term a wise requirement. Another provision prohibits any person exercising the right of suffrage who is not a citizen of the Confederacy, so that one Slate cannot allow aliens to vote, and another exclude them. This is right, and our Constiiution ought to have a similar provision. Another provision, aimed at hasty and improvident legislation, requires a law to relate to one subject, and the purpose to be clearly indicated in the title. In all these particulars, the Southern Constitution is an improvement on ours. Indianapolis Jnurnal. The Journal certainly deserves credit for its candid criticisms and admissions in favor of the several " wise " amendments made by the Southern Congress in the Constitution which it has adopted. They are apparent and striking at a single glance; but if they had been first made and published with commendation by a Northern Democratic paper, it would have been, in all probability, pronounced "treason" by the Republican press. We cheerfully put these admissions on record; and call upon our readers to remember, that out of all the amendments made by the "fire-caters," there is only one which the Republican organ condemns, and that is in relation to "slavery." But if, as Mr. Seward says, the question of "slavery" is fought out, so far as the Territories are concerned, there is nothing to be lost to the North by the Journal yielding its opposition on that single point. There could, then, be no objection, on the part of the organ of the Indiana Republicans, to the adoption of the Southern Constitution. If this should be done by three-fourths of the State Legislatures, it would be the most effectual mode of settling our national difficulties. Why stand out against slavery in the Territories, if Mr. Seward is right? All the present territories have been organized with governments, or soon will be, under the act passed at the last session of Congress. Under that act, the People inhabiting them, as soon as they comprise a sufficient number in each one to entitle them to a Representative in Congress, will determine the matter of slavery for themselves when they come to organize a State Government. Why stand out against slavery in the States 1 The Corwin amendmeut to our Constitution, proposed by the last Congress, and for which a large majority of the Republican members in both houses voted, will, if adopted by three-fourths of the Legislatures, put to rest all doubts as to the great wrong of meddling with slavery in the States. Will not the whole question be then settled so clearly, that even political fanatics, if not entirely demented, can not fail to see that none but the citizens of a Slate, residing therein, have a right to meddle with its affairs? If, then, we should adopt the Southern Constitution, will it be essentially

different on the slavery issue from our own, when tlCorwin proposition shall be incorporated in it? If we adopt it, we shall, besides, derive the benefit from all those other "good," "excellent," "sensible," and "wise" amendments and "improvements" which the Journal speaks of. If we adopt it, we shall have (to use the words of the Republican organ) "as good a charter of Government as could have been devised," and "improved in all the points which experience has showed to be imperfect in our's." We shall have a Constitution which will not only place all the States upon a footing of equality, but prove a perfect Gibraltar against all assauks upon the common treasury from any and every quarter. Congress would then he prohibited, except on a vote of two-thirds, from mnking appropriations of money not called for by the President and heads of Departments for the support of Government. Thus would be stopped up the many leakages, from which have been drawn vast urns for wild and visionary schemes of internal improvement of a local character, that hare contributed to run up our national expenditures, within the last thirty-five years, from twelve to eighty millions of dollars. The Southern members of Congress have always voted, almost in a solid phalanx, against such wasteful expenditures; and if we would only adopt their Tariff, along with their Constitution, the People of the Northwest, who have long been fleeced' by heavy duties for the benefit of the East, would have great cause to rejoice. They would then have as "good" a system of revenue " as could be devised," and the Government would be sustained without being oppressive to the governed in any section of the country. The troth is, the Southern statesmen "can't b beat" in forming either Constitutions or laws;

and it gives us, who have encountered so much abuse for standing up in defence of their rights, a great deal of comfort to record the "confessions" and "admissions" of the leading Republican Journal of Indiana, that such is the fact. Let us, then, make any just, fair, and liberal concession, to draw them back into the Union, in order to avail ourselves of their "wisdom" and "experience" in such matters of vital importance to the whole country. The Journal pays a high compliment to the members of the Southern Congress in characterizing the amendments made by them in their Constitution as "improvements" upon our's. Only think of it! Who, a few weeks since, when that paper denounced them as "rebels," "traitors," "robbers," and other hard names, would

have thought that they could "improve" upon the work of Washington, Madison, Hamilton, and the other illustrious sages and patriots that flamed our "charter of Government?" Who could have thought that men, called by such opprobrious epithets, would have produced such a master-piece of statesmanship as to excite even the admiration of their bitter reviler and traducer? Who could have thought, that they, instead of "robbing" and plundering the public treasu-' ry, would employ their minds in devising ways to throw safe-guards around it? The Journal said, on Saturday last, that they had done so; but; alas 1 for the consistency of that immaculate print, and for the mutability of every thing coming from a Republican source, it has since changed its tune. What is published above was written by the editor under the genial influence of a March sun, which is ever flitting and changeful, but whose rays often last long enough to cause some honest spasms to beat in

a Republican editor's heart. Since, however, those sentences of truth were first ushered to the world, clouds and gloom have prevailed; and their author's mind has partaken somewhat of the dullness, if not peevishness, incidental to nervous and gouty invalids generally. His old cramped views have returned; and now, instead of looking at everything in the Southern Constitution, except slavery, as "good," "excellent," and "wise" instead of looking at the amendments as "improvements" on the work of Washington, Madison, Mason, and their illustrious as

sociates instead of regarding it as the best "charter of Government" ever devised by the wit of man he can no longer see anything in it worthy of commendation he can only recognize it as the emanation of "rebels and traitors." Were we not fortunate in clipping the honest effusions of his heart, and preserving them for reference in our columns, before,- under the influence of the blues, or something worse, he laid violent hands upon them and expunged them from his Columns? What a serious evil it is, for an editor, to be "under the weather."

Proscription carried into the Senate.

There has never been any changes made of subordinate officers in the Senate, for political reasons, since our Government was organized, until the present parly came into power. The old Federal Senators, with all their intolerance, never condescended to reek their displeasure

upon Doorkeepers for opinion sake. The Whig and Democratic Senators all scorned to do what the Federalists thought was beneath them. Secretaries, Clerks, Sergeant at Arms, and Doorkeepers have been continued in office by that body, under various Administrations, for twenty, thirty and forty years, so long as they discharged their duties faithfully. Mr. Breckinridge declared, the other day, that during the four years he presided over the Senate, he never inquired into the politics of those officers, and did not know the political sentiments of more than one of them. Mr. Bright, who was President pro tern, for sev-? era! years previous to Mr. Breckinridge's term, said substantially the same thing; and that no change was ever made, during the sixteen years that lie has been a Senator, except for causes other than political. Messrs. Powell, Douglas, Clingman, and other Senators, all corroborated these statements, and not a single Republican Senator contradicted them. Yet these highminded and magnanimous precedents, set and adhered to by all other parties, are uow such are the cravings of the Republicans for office from the highest to the lowest about to be departed from by the -friends of the Administration in that body. A resolution has been introduced, at this special Executive session, by Mr. Hale, and advocated strenuously by Mr. Trumbull the Presi

dent's right hand man in the Senate to remove

the present Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeepers

from office, although Senators of both parties admit that they have performed their duties with honesty and courtesy. Messrs. Bright, Breckinridge and Powell advocated its postponement until the next legislative session of the Senate ; but a motion to this effect was voted down. The fiat has gone forth, that no officer, no matter how humble, of that hitherto dignified body, who will not worship the hero of the Scotch cap and long military cloak, shall be retained at his post. We do not complain of changes in offices in any Department of Government, in which prin

ciple is involved. The Administration should always be assisted by subordinates who will aid it in developing any general policy which it may deem expedient. But what principle is involved in the position of Doorkeeper ? What would Clay, Webster and Calhoun say, if they could return to earth and hear that the American Sen

ate, which was considered in their day as the most honored legislative body in the world, had descended so low as to participate in a miserable scramble for the office of Doorkeeper ? The truth is, since such Yankee abolition school masters and pedlers as Wade, Chase, Trumbull, Simmons and Hale have obtained the ascendancy in the Senate since such men of one, or at most, two ideas slavery and protection for the inven

tors of woodscrews and wooden nutmegs have put on the mantles or "long cloaks" of statesmen almost every thing there has come down to the picayune level.

grVe know of nothing that will prevent the

wheels of Government from coming to a dead

lock, but the resignation of the incompetent

men who now hold its reins. Guard.

We hope Mr. Lincoln and the Republicans

will carefully consider that suggestion. U is an honest confession that all that the traitors are

mad about is, that they have been turned out of

office. Ind. American. If the editor of the American had been actu

ated by 'honest" impulses, he would have given

the whole sentence from the Guard instead of

clipping one-half of it. If one-half of our sen

tence is worthy of the "consideration of Mr

Lincoln and the Republicans," surely the other

moiety is. We, therefore, again publish the

whole of it, and here it is:

"We know of nothing that will prevent the wheels of Government from coming to a dead lock, but the resignation of the incompetent men

who now hold its reins, or the reduction of the du

ties in the Nmthern Tariff to the same rates as those

in the southern Jarff.

If the duties in the Morrill Tariff are not re

duced to the same rates as those in the Southern Tariff, foreign goods from England, Fiance and other manufacturing countries of Europe will be

mostly shipped to the Southern ports. From

these ports, they will find their way over rail roads and rivers to every part of the Northwest,

subject only to the low duties fixed in the South

ern Tariff. Smuggling on a large scale will pre

vail along the whole extent of our borders, for

upwards of two thousand miles, on land and water. "Republicans" who take double pay for City advertising, or those who receive pay twice for the same service, will not hesitate to participate in such smuggling. There are many Republicans in every one of the Northern States who would not stand upon such trifles as cheating Uncle Sam's treasury out of "$6" or "$160," any more than they would the City treasury. Few, in fact, would be satisfied with

such extremely modest fleecings as the ofrmer

sum ; and, consequently, a very small revenue will be collected by the Federal Government.

What, then, will "prevent the wheels of Government from coming to a dead lock, but the resignation of the incompetent men who now hold its

reins, or the reduction of the duties in the North

ern laritt to the same rates as tnose in me

Southern Tariff?" Nothing but direct taxation

for its support; and the sooner the honest por

tion of the Republican party look at this matter in its true light, the better it will be for themselves and the country.

Mr, Breckinridge's Views, We publish on our first and third pages the views of Hon. John C. Breckinridge, as to the policy of the Administration relative to the seceded States. We say views not speeches or fragments of speeches because they are such as are published hastily by the telegraphic reporters. Mr. Breckinridge's entire speech as given accurately in the Congressional Globe, did not come to hand until these sketches were put in type. It will be seen that this distinguished and clear-minded statesman puts the only construction upon the course of the Administration which it will really bear. He looks upon the surrender of the forts if, indeed, an order for their surrender has actually been given as resulting from a "military" necessity not a political choice. . He does not regard it as a manifestation on the part of the President to yield anything to the South for the sake of justice or peace. In this respect his speech differs wisely from Mr. Douglas' first speech on the same sub

ject, delivered before the little Giant received

the cold shoulder from Senators Wilson, Hale, and Fessenden, who refused to acknowledge him as their leader.

Warlike Preparations. The heavy draft vessels at the Brooklyn Navy Yard are being completed rapidly, notwithstanding the number of small craft on hand. The splendid steam frigate Wabash, which has been undergoing operations since last October, is approaching the "ready state" into wliich she was ordered. Her machinery occupies the attention of Chief Engineer King, and a large number of hands are working on her hull. The Roanoke steam frigate, which had to undergo considerable re-planking, will be ready to float out of the Dry

Uock the latter part ot tins week, the engines being out of trim, the engineering workshops are putting them in order. There are over a thousand hands employed at the Navy Yard, and the labor and officers' monthly pay roll cannot fall much short of eighty-five thousand dollars.. Xew York Paper. We remember reading such paragraphs as the above previous to the last war with England,

and also previous to the war with Mexico, when the Administration was in the hands of Madison and Polk. We likewise remember reading similar items when Old Hickory was called on to make an apology to France for threatening to use coercion against her, if she did not peaceably plank down the five millions due our merchants for spoliations upon our commerce. In those days we all knew what those things meant. Our Presidents were then plain spoken men, whose actions corresponded with their words. They were statesmen, who never kept the People long in suspense relative to matters of great public inter

est especially those involving peace or war.

But we have now a lawyer at the head of the Government, who has sent forth to the country

a message which can be twisted and turned every

way to suit the views of his two-sided party. One faction reads in favor of peace the other

in favor of coercion. The preparations at the Navy Yards, however, look very much like those which have heretofore preceded war ;

and if there is not to be a collision, then it seems to us that the Administration is wasting a good

deal of public money in "putting war steamers in order," which might be used to much better advantage in these hard times.

Tampering with the Negroes. The correspondent of the New York Tribune, located at Charleston, South Carolina, writes to

that paper, under date of the 18th inst., as follows giving an account of his familiarity with negroes, and of what they say to him, but not of

what he says to them, with n view of exciting

discontent between them and the whites :

"I have talked freely with negroes during tho

past week, in order to ascertain what disallection

existed among them. I find them much more intelligent than I expected, and nearly all of them possessing a firm conviction that at no distant

day they may all enjoy the blessings ot freedom.

One of the free blacks, who keeps a very respec

table tailor's shop, when speaking of the men who

had entered the service of the State, said :

'Poor things ! if they had not gone they would

have been whipped ; but I would rather lose my right arm than help the tyrants." This good

man also told me many things wliich led me to believe that wide-spread 'disaffection exists among

the slaves in the interior of the btate, and 1 am fully convinced that, unless the planters, who are now expending their gas in Charleston, do not

lUtckly return to their homes, they will have

abundant and serious cause to regret it.

Giddings in high Favor.

Old Abe has appointed Joshua R. Giddings as Consul General to the British North Ameri

can Provinces, nnd the Senate has ratified the appointment. The old reprobate spoke as follows of the Southern people in Congress on the 16th of March, 1854 : "When the contest shall come, when the thunder shall roll and the lightning flash, when the slaves shull rise in the South, when, imitation of the Cuban bondmen, the Southern slaves shall feel that they aid men, when they feel the stirring emotions of immortality, and recognize the stirring truth that they are men, and entitled to the lights which God has bestowed upon them; when the slaves shall feel that, and when Masters shall turn pale and tremble when their dwellings shall smoke, and dismay sit on every countenance, then sir, I do not say, 'we will laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fearcometh,' but I do say, when that time shall come, the lovers of our race will

stand forth nnd exert the legitimate powers of the

Government for freedom. We shall then have

constitutional power to act for the good of our

country, and do justice to the slave. Then will we strike off the shackles from the limbs of the slave. And let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, that that time hastens. It is rolling forward. 1 hail it as . 1 do the approaching dawn of that political Millenium which I am well assured will come upon the world."."- -

General Scott Opposed to Removals in his Bureaus. A Washington dispatch, under date of 27lh inst., says: "The military officers in charge of the bureaus in the War Department, being apprehensive of a change of clerks in the bureaus with which they are connected, have, together with Lieut. Gen. Scott, joined in a remonstrance against such a proceeding.

Marshal for Indiana. The appointment of Col. David G. Ross, as Marshal for Indiana, has been confirmed by the Senate.

: Pardoned. Old Mrs. Knapp, she who murdered her husband near Auburn, Dekalb county, for which she was, over one year ago, sent to the Penitentiary

for life, has been pardoned out by Governor Morton. How, in the name of common justice, was this pardon procured? On what recommendation did Gov. Morton do it? Why, the "old hag," as she is, ought to have staid there a thousand years, if it were possible. She belongs to "dark ages," and is of that order of beings who ought to be under the strictest serveilance, and yet after most brutally murdering her husband, a poor benighted old creature, and being sent to the Penitentiary therefor, she is pardoned out and sent back to be kept as a county charge by the people of Dekalb county. Fort Wayne Times, (Rep.) We cannot answer the Times' query, "How, in the name of common justice, Governor Morton granted this pardon?" All we can say is, that his "Accidency," when it was procured, was in

a great hurry to "adjourn," with his legislative

friends, to Washington, to take care of the spoils there. He, doubtless, had not leisure to give

the pardon the requisite attention.

Callfor Troops. The Savannah Republican of Wednesday of last week, says it is staled on the street that Governor Brown received on Saturday, from President Davis, a requisition for to thousand troops. It is surmised that they are intended for that city and Pensacola.

Important to Shipbuilders. A bill was passed in the Legislature of Virginia, a few days ago, to encourage ship-building in that State. The bill provides that, on satisfactory proof that a vessel of two hundred tons and Upwards (fourth fifths of which is owned by resident citizens) has been built in Yirgina subsequent to the passage of this act, the first auditor shall pay the owners three dollars per ton, if she be less than five hundred tons burden, and five dollars per ton if she be not of less burden than five hundred tons. The appropriation for the above object shall not exceed $25,000 pcr year, and continue five years.

RrxoRg or W. The Memphis Avalanche of Friday, learns from passengers to that city on the Steamer Victoria, which arrived the night previous, that President Davis has called upon the Confederate Slates for 20,000 men. Missis

sippi will furnish 1,500 and Louisiana 2,000 of

these men. It adds that intelligence is reliable. There is something in this : if this special dispatch to the New Orleans Delta is founded in truth : Montgomery, March 0. There is great excitement here to-night. Troops have been ordered immediately to Pensacola. It is supposed that this movement is caused by the receipt of

dispa'tches from Washington, stating that Fort

Pickens is to be re-inforced at once.

Secession of Red River. The New Orleans Delta says that the communication between the Red river and the Missisip-. pi is being gradually cut off. The former is taking itself off to the gulf by way of Atchafalaya, in Berwick's bay. Unless something is done to prevent the Red river from seceding, New Orleans will lose a large amount of valuable traffic. A company is talked of to keep the channel open. It is thought it will cost 2, 000,000. New Orleans, March 26. The steamship Tennessee has arrived wiih Vera Cruz dates to the 21st inst. The principal road to the Capital swarmed

with bands of robbers. Capt. Oldham, of the British steamer Valorous, was seriously wounded by robbers while returning from Mexico. The Constitutional Government was making slow progress. Rumors have reached the Capital that a party of fillibusters bad invaded Lower California. Got. Owens, of Arizona, in reply to the Texas Commissioners appointed to confer with New Mexico and Arizona for the formation of a Confederacy, invites them to be present at a Convention in Mesillaon the 15th of April, to con

sider the present crisis.

Minister to Brazil.

Col. Tho. H. Nelson, of Indiana, has been ap

pointed Minister to Brazil.

EXTRA SESSION OF THE SENATE. Washinoton, March 25. On motion of Mr. Powell it was resolved, that the President be requested to communicate to the Senate, if not incompatible with the public interests, the dispatches from Major Anderson to the War Department during the time he has been in command of Fort Sumter. Mr. Howe resumed his speech in opposition to Mr. Douglas's resolution calling for information relative to the Southern forts, &c. He asked Douglas to unite with him and the Republicans in a declaration, that while we do not propose to make war, wo do not intend war shall bo made on us. Mr. Douglas said if the War Department was

not in the possession of the information this resolution calls for, no harm could result from such an answer. He apprehended that this information would tend to allay public excitement. He supposed there was no danger as to Fort Sumter, but desired to know whether Fort Pickens would be held merely for irritation. Mr. Clark, interrupting, said he was one who chose to stand by the Constitution as it is, believing it better than entertaining compromises. Mr. Douglas No doubt the Senator entertains that opinion, even if disunion were the inevitable consequence, and would prefer war to amendments to the Constitution. Mr. Clark said he could judge of the amendments only when proposed, and deprecated war. Mr. Douglas said that when the question of war or amendments were proposed, he under

stood Mr. Clark to be opposed to all compromises. .

Mr. Clark asked if the Post Oflce Department

did not continue to run mails through those States?

Mr. Douglas believed they did, but with the

consent of those States.

Clark inquired if the revenues could not be collected on shipboard, if Congress clothed the President with power? Douglas supposed they could, but he had been speaking of the laws as they are. He regarded this as an admission that the Republicans did not mean to collect the revenue till the laws were

changed. Mr. Douglas said the Republican party is based on hostility to slavery. He replied to Mr. Breckinridge's argument, that under the law as it now stands ns to every Territory, without exception, a man can remove thither with his slave property on equal terms with other property. The Republicas, in organizing governments for Nevada, Colorado, and Dacotnh, at the last session, did what they had not done for . twelve

years bofore, and did what they had so long abused him (Douglas) for wanting to do. They did it from a sense of justice, when they got the majority. Tho only motive he had for being President was to carry out that policy. He gave the Republicans credit for adopting

it after defeating him. The Senator from Pennsylvania, (Wilmot) had arrived here in lime to

see the Republicans repudiate the Wilmot proviso, reject the corner stone of the temple, and come up to non intervention and popular sovereignty.

Mr. Howe, in the course of the debate, wished

to know if Mr. Douglas's principles would have

saved the Union, and if the Republicans have adopted them, why was there not pence ?

Mr. Douglas replied, because the Republicans

would not acknowledge it, and kept the people

in the dark.

Mr. Breckinridge wished to reply to Mr. Doug

las, but the Senate went into Executive session and adjourned.

Washinuton, March 26.- The consideration

of Mr. Douglas' resolution was resumed.

Mr. Breckinridge replied to Mr. Douglas'

speech of yesterday.

He denied mat tne republicans naa yielded

any ot their essential principles, and it was

unjust to the people of the South to announce

that they had done so. tie called on the itepub

lican Senators themselves to answer whether they

had made any such abandonment.

Mr. Collamer replied "Not that we are aware

of."

Mr. Breckinridge then alluded to the argument

of Mr. Douglas, that the Republicans had not

inserted their platform in any ol the bills recently passed organizing the Territories. He

aid they, had not done so, because they tound

the bills would not be passed in such a form, and the President might veto them if passed, while they desired their immediate passage as increasing the federal patronage. Mr. Breckinridge was confident that if the Republicans did not

yield, fifteen States would soon be out of the

Union. So far they had yielded nothing, nor

manifested any disposition to do so.

Mr. Douglas replied that lie could not but ex

press his surprise that the Senator from Kentucky denied all the positions he had assumed. His object was to demonstrate that there was no

cause for such action, and that Kentucky has

justice and equality in the territories according

to the test prescribed by the senator himself. The Senator knew the Territories of Colorado, Nevada and Decotah had been organized on the

basis of the Nebraska-Kansas bill. All these Territories were organized on the principle of non-intervention by Congress; the people to decide the slavery question as they pleased, sub

ject only to the Constitution of the United States,

eaving the courts to ascertain what the limitation

This is all the South ever asked. The Re

publicans have abandoned the Wilmot proviso

and Congressional intervention, and repudiated

Congressional prohibition of Slavery. I he Sena

tor would not deny that he did not ask the Senator from Kentucky to say the Republicans have

abandoned all their essential principles. He did not ask him to do anything to promote their in

terest. He (Douglas) did not believe in the po

litical creed of that party, and did not believe the best interests of the country would be promoted

by the exercise of their power; still he preterred the Union under such administration rather than none at all. Mr. Grimes, of Iowa, moved that Mr. Douglas' resolution, calling for information relative to the forces at the navy yards, tc, which was pending before the Senate be laid on the table. The question was decided in the affirmative 23 against 11. Mr. Breckinridge asked leave to offer the following resolution. If there was no objection, he would ask a vote on it now. Resolved, That the Senate recommend and advise the removal of the U. S. troops from the Territories of the Confederate States. Mr. Sumner "Lay it over." Mr. Clingma umniktd that he had drawn up a similar resolution with the point in question. He had shown it to several Senators, and it had met their approval. It was as follows: Resolved That in the opinion of the Senate it

is expedient that the President withdraw all fed

eral troops from the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana, and abstain from all attempts to collect revenue in those States. Clingman added that if the troops be withdrawn, there ought to be forbearance in collecting the revenue. Mr. Collamer moved that the Senate go into Executive session. Collamer's motion prevailed. After Executive Session, the Senate adjourned.

resolution passed by the Senate "if, in his opinion, it is not incompatible with the public interest, to communicate the dispatches of Maj. Robert Anderson to the War Department during the lime he has been in command of Fort Sumter." The President says: "I have "come to the conclusion that, at the present time, the publication of it would be inexpedient." Mr. Breckinridge moved to take up the resolution introduced by him yesterday, advising the withdrawal of the Federal troops from the seceded States. He did not intend making any re-movL-a n n U n l.n1 dwiniti. avnHiaul 111. VlllVIt nil

that subject, nnd desired the vote on his motion to be regarded as a test question. Mr. Fessenden supposed there would be no objection to that, but reminded the Senator that no quorum was present. On motion of Mr. Hall, the Senate went into

Executive session. When the doors were opened, Mr. Breckinridge moved to take up his resolution of yesterday, saying if his motion prevailed he would accept Mr. Clingman's substitute. He asked for the yeas and nays saying that he should consider it a test question as to whether or not the Senate was willing to express an opinion. Mr. Rice was in favor of Mr. Breckinridge's resolution, but thought Mr. Clingman's went too far in questioning the right of the Senate lo express an opinion on collecting the revenue to the President. Mr. Breckinridge said it would be for the Senate to decide as to the acceptance of Clingman's substitute. Mr. Rice said the Senate was traveling far out of the way to advise the President. He asked Breckinridge if his resolution extended to Key West and Tortugas. If so, he would never withdraw troops thence. Mr. Breckinridge supposed the resolution embraced those points, as they are within the limits of Florida ; but he was willing to say these points may be excluded from the resolution, rather than hazard its defeat, and did not consider the withdrawal of troops from Key West and Tortugas as essential to the peace of the country. He disliked lo do so, because he entertained the hope of the re-union of all the States. Messrs. Clark, Simmons and Ten Eyck op

posed talking upon the resolution. Mr. Douglas favored taking it up, with a view of offering an amendment to bring it within the scope it ought lo take. He thought it would be wise to withdraw the troops from Fort Pickens. He said the Government at Montgomery, being a revolutionary government, could claim only what they occupied. He was willing, under the existing circumstances, to give up Sumter and Pickens, they being of no use unless they were

intended as a basis ot military operations, and were now sources of constant irritation. Mr. Breckinridge said he did not assume this to be a test vote, but thought it might be so regarded. Washington, March 28. The President, having no further communication, to make, the Senate, at 4 o'clock, adjourned sine die. Washington Correspondence. Charleston, March 28. A special dispatch says there is no change in the aspect of affairs at Fort Sumter. President Davis has made a requisition on this State for troops for a purpose unknown. He has also called for 500 from Florida and 2,000 from Georgia. Washington, March 28. The confederate newspaper has received a dispatch that Fort Sumter was evacuated to-day. The following appointees in the patent Office were confirmed: D. P. Holloway, Commissioner;

S. M. Hodges, O H Harding and T. C. Thacker, examiners in chief. New York, March 28. A special dispatch to the Commercial says the President has appointed Carl Schurz Minister to Spain in place of Cassius M. Clay, who has willingly consented to be transferred to Russia. The Tribune's Washington correspondent says orders were sent on the 14th to land 400 troops oh board the Brooklyn and reinforce Fort Pickens. No intelligence of the execution of the order has .yet reached the Government, as all communication by mail and telegraph are cut off by the Secessionists. ''".' WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE. New York, March 26. The Tribune's correspondent says Capt. Fox reports that supplies of provisions for Sumter will enable Major Anderson to sustain his command until the 15th of April. He says the fort can be reinforced by military

operations, which will require a force not at the disposal of the President, or by strategy, with

hazards of a desperate conflict. from all the facts, it is evident that Sumter must be abandoned, or civil war inaugurated. The Southern Commissioners are dining to

night with the Foreign Ambassadors, at Mr.

Cochrane's. The Commissioners are on most

friendly terms with the English and French Ministers.

Indian Outrages in Texas. Tho Indians are

again commencing their outrages in Texas. A letter, dated San Antonio, March 5th, says:

Our town is full of Indian news. Our express

came in yesterday evening. Twenty-four persons had been killed. Mr. Olem came in this afternoon. A family had been murdered in the Atoscosa, beyond the Medina.

A letter from r redencsburg notes several In

dian depredations about ten miles from that place. The settlers had attacked them, and during the fight Mr. Calwell was wounded badly by a shot

in the face, and Ualwell, jr., was also wounded. Parties of Indians were roving other frontier sections of the State in one place killing a man named Eastwood; in another place, two others, named Adams and Robinson. New Orleans, March 26. The Texas Legislature has passed a resolution approving of the Convention act deposing Gov. Houston. A bill has been passed to raise a regiment of mounted riflemen for the frontier protection. Two companies of Zouaves left to-day on active service for Pensacola. Mobile advices say that troops and munitions are constantly moving to Pensacola.

Washington, March 27. The chair presen'cd a message from President Lincoln, relating lo a

VThe Attorney General of the United States has given a written opinion to the President, that, under the eighty-ninth section of the law of 1 799, it will be impossible to collect any revenue in any of the seceded States. That section declares that the trial of any, fact regarding a violation of the revenue laws shall be within the judicial district in which the seizure or forfeiture

occurs. As there are no United States Courts, Judges or Marshals, in any of the ports of the seceded States, there are no means, under existing laws, of enforcing any penalties for violation of the revenue. Madison Courier' This opinion of Lincoln's Attorney General embraces the same facts as those given by Mr. Buchanan in his last annual Message, which were then scouted, if not hooted at, by every Republican paper in the country; "Facts, however, are stubborn things," and old Abe, as well as Republican editors, begin to End them so.