The Daily Dispatch: February 28, 1862., [Electronic resource]

The Federal Congress.

‘ Senate--Mr. Wilkinson of Minnesota, (Ren,) offered the following resolution:

Whereas, Lezarus W. Powell, after several States had severed themselves from the Union, on the 20th of June inst. attended a large Southern States rights' Convention, and was President thereof, and when resolutions were passed approving the neutrality of Kentucky and denouncing the war, and also attended another Convention on the 10th of September, where more resolutions were passed of the same import; and said Powell had given all aid and comfort to the enemy he could from the position he occupied: Therefore.

Resolved, That said Lezarus W. Powell he expelled from the Senate.

Referred to the Committee of the Judiciary.

Mr. Fessenden, of Maine, (Rep.,) from the Committee on Finance, reported back the Appropriation bill.

Mr. Sherman, of Ohio, (Rep.) called attention to those large showing the necessity for passing measures for retrenchment.

Mr. Trumbull, of Illinois (Rep.,) asked how many men they were providing for?

Mr. Fessenden said he did not know.

r. Trumbull said he thought there was a disposition to over-altercate the number of troops. For instance, it had been reported in the newspapers that there were 50,000 men attacking. Fort Done Son, whereas, in fact, there were only about 28,000 men there. He thought this fact should be known for the honor of the gallant men who captured that fort, marching on entrenchments held by nearly their own numbers.

The amendments of the Committee were adopted with the exception of $76,000,000 for the Quartermaster's Department, which was objected to by the House.

Mr. Hale said it was no use to make such appropriations, as we had no money to pay; there were two hundred millions deficiency since last session, and now adding twenty-six millions, we might as well pass a bankrupt law and let the Government take the benefit of it.

Mr. Fessenden explained that the amounts were already due, and debts must be paid — The army was largely increased since the last estimate was made, and heavy bills were coming in every day which must be paid — The Commissary Department of Tennessee had already spent their last dollar.

Mr. Hale said he should got oppose the amendment, but he considered it evident that there had been gross inadvertent in the Department, and read an advertisement in the New York Herald: ‘"That a good-looking, affable young man had just completed large Government contracts, and wished to become acquainted with a young lady desirous of sharing the proceeds."’ That explains the matter."

Mr. Howe, of Was, (Rep.,) asked that the letter from the Quartermaster's Department might be read.

Mr. Fessenden also had a letter, received this morning, which he wished read. From letters read, it appeared that the costs of raising and furnishing the army in the Quartermaster's Department was about one hundred and twenty-two millions of dollars.

The amendment was adopted, and the hill was passed.

House--After spending some time on the Senate's amendment to the United States note bill, the House went into Committee of the Whole on the Post-Office Appropriation bill.

Mr. Voorhees, of Ind., (Opp.,) argued that this Union will be resumed by and through the instrumentalist of the Constitution and a strict obedience to its letter and spirit, or that it will not be restored at all; and in this connection said, that the policy of ‘"Universal Amanciptation,"’ or ‘"Abolition,"’ proclaimed at the commencement of the session, could not be carried out without intolerable bad faith to the Union men of the North and the South. If this was to be the policy of the Government in the prosecution of this war, then a gross deception has been practiced on all loyal , and an army has been raised by false pretences, more flagrant than had ever before been advanced to carry out a secret and unhallowed purpose. We must adhere to the Union as our fathers made it, and not as capricious politicians would determine Mr. Voorhees quoted from President Lincoln's Inaugural Address and Messages to show that the latter had said that the neither had the power nor the inclination to interfere with slavery in the States and that he would execute the Fugitive Slave Law. Mr. Voorhees also referred to General McClellan's proclamation on entering Virginia, to the effect that the army will not only abstain from all interference with slavery, but with a strong hand crush out any attempts at insurrection. This was looked on as a pledge auctioned by the Executive that the army would not trample on State laws and States, but plate them from those who would overthrow them. There was at that time no protest from Puritan lips. In support of his argument, Mr. Voorhees referred, among other hints to General Butler's conduct and to the official dispatches of Mr. Seward, in which the letter declared that whatever may become of the rebellion, it is not the purpose of the Government to interfere with the status of a single human being in the States or Territories. Infamy, he (Voorhees) said, would rest on the men who rejected peace when' they could have obtained it on terms of honor. Now let the armies advance and bring this terrible struggle to a speedy termination. Let the war be waxed in the name of the Constitution, the laws, and the Union of equal and honored members, and in the name of God, guided by an enlightened caristtankly.

Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, (Rep.,) said that the gentleman (Voorhees) had announced that the people of Indiana were ready to compromise with rebels, but he (Washburne) wished to remark that the people of Illinois were ready to compromise on the terms offered by General Grant, of his (Washburne's) own state, to Gen, Buckner, namely: ‘"An unconditional and immediate surrender"’ [Applause]

Mr. Voorhees wished to explain, but Mr. Sheilaburger, of Ohio, (Rep.,) at the time having possession of the floor and the Committee rising, he was unable to do so.

The House again went into Committee of the Whole, laying aside the Post-Office bill, and taking up the Senate's amendments to the Army hill.

Mr. Richardson, of Ill., (Opp.,) said that the annunciation made by his colleague (Washburne) a short time ago was a most delightful sight.

Mr. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, (Rep.)--I hope he gentleman (Richardson) does not expect me to yield the floor for general debate. This bill is for the army.

Mr. Richardson--I'll get on the army directly. [Laughter] I want to do a good thing. I want to congratulate my colleague, (Washburne)

Mr. Stevens--I hope no one will interfere with the passage of this bill, which is necessary to be passed without delay

Mr. Richardson--My colleague (Washburne) has endorsed General Grant.

Mr. Washburne--Yes, sir

Mr. Richardson--One of the most sensible proclamations was issue by Gen. Grant when he entered Paducah. The General then made use of the following language:

‘"I have not come to fight opinions, out to resist treason and overwhelm it. I am for sustaining the Constitution and the supremacy of the laws"’

Mr. Richardson said that he wished this proclamation could be written in fetter of gold on the sky, that everybody might see the correct doctrine. There never would have been an army of 600,000 men raised if the object had been avowed to overthrow the Constitution and create her Government. The war never would have been begun but for two elements at the North--namely, the Abolition party and the party beaded by Buchanan, Doucey, and Cushing, and that class of men. The letter were worse than the Abolitionists, because they were smart.

These and other remarks of Mr.Richardson occasioned much laughter.

The Senate's amendments to the army bill were read, and when the committee rose they were all concurred in. Adjourned.

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