Congressional.
Washington, Dec. 5.
--Senate.--Mr. Slidell, of La., took his seat.
The Department reports were presented by the Vice President.
Mr. Powell, of Ky., gave notice that he should introduce a resolution referring the President's Message to a special committee.
Mr. Green, of Mo., offered a resolution instructing the Committee on Judiciary, to enquire into the expediency of establishing an armed police, between the free and slave States, for the better protection of property and more efficient execution of the fugitive slave law.
Mr. Lane, of Oregon, addressed the Senate.
He did not intend to make a speech, but desired to consider some of the questions now threatening the Union.
It was not merely who had been elected President, but that he had been elected on a platform upheld in direct conflict with the Constitution, and which denied the equality of the States.
If elected according to the letter of the Constitution, it was in opposition to the spirit; and if the question could be brought before the Supreme Court, he had no doubt Lincoln's election would be decided to be unconstitutional.
Messrs. Hale and others made some sneering remarks in reply to this assertion.
Mr. Lane proceeded to show that the nullification laws of the North must be repealed, and new guarantees given to preserve the Union.
Mr. Hale, of N. H, said there had been hopes that the President's Message would be one thing or another, out on carefully reading it, no one could tell what it did mean.--The first portion said that South Carolina had just cause to secede; the second, that she had no right to secede, and, third, that the United States had no right to prevent secession.
The President will not took the thing full in the face.
We must look to the ballot-box or else-where for a termination of the difficulties.
If Carolina does reject the ballot-box, and arms herself, we must look the danger straight in the face, and prepare for maintaining peace and putting down slavery.
Messrs. Iverson, of Ga., and Brown, of Miss., Indicated that their respective States would leave the Union before the 4th of March.
The former said that if the Republicans intended to use their power to put down slavery, the South intended to get out of the Union, and nothing under Heaven would prevent her going out peaceably, if she could — forcibly, if she must.
She was preparing to fight for her liberty, her rights, and her honor.
The enmity between the South and the North is deeper than hell, and separation is the only way in which they can live peaceably.
If war comes, we are willing to meet myriads of abolitionists.
Mr. Wigfall, of Texas, followed in behalf of the South, in an energetic strain.
He believed the President's Message would precipitate war, if the measures recommended in it were carried out.
Mr. Saulsbury, of Del., said his State was the first to adopt the Constitution, and would be the last to countenance anything tending to a separation of the States.
When the Union is destroyed by the madness of its two extremities, it will be time enough for Delaware to declare the course for her to pursue.
The foregoing debate was of a very exciting character.
Pending a motion to suspend the rule for the reference of the President's Message, the Senate adjourned, at 2½ o'clock.
House.--The House passed the Homestead bill by a majority of 56.
Some of the more Southern members declined to vote at all, and those who did, voted in the negative.
The Pension and Military Academy Appropriation bills were passed.
Various branches of the President's Message were referred to the appropriate standing committees.
Adjourned at 2 o'clock. 