Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-12-13
Conversational.
WASHINGTON. Dec &

IL PROVIDES that the word minimum |
be construed according to the Land Gradua-
tion Act SO as to apply to alternate and
reserved sections Of land granted for rail-
roads or international improvements, and
IN favor of actual settlers, and not to mean
one dollar and quarter per acre as now
officially constructed.
The Speaker appointed the following
special committee under Mr.. Boteler's res
olution 10, consider questions connected
with the perilous condition ofthe country:
Ohio, Corwin, chairman; Virginia, Mill
son; Massachusetts, Adams; North Caro-
lima, Winslow; New York, Humphrey;
South Carolina, Boyce; Pennsylvania,
Campbell; Georgia, Love; Connecticut,
Ferry; Maryland, Davis; Rhode Island,
Robinson; Delaware, Whitley New Hamp-
shire, Tappan New Jersey, Stratton; Ken
lucky, Bnstow; Vermont, Morrell; Ten
nessee, Nelson; Indiana, Dunn; Louisiana,
Baylor; Mississippi, Davis; Illinois, Kel-
logg; Alabama, Houston; Maine, Morse;
Missouri, Phelps; Arkansas, Rust; Miehi-
gan, Howard; Florida, Hawkins; Texas,
Hamilton; Wisconsin, Washburne; Iowa,
Curtis; Californa, Burch; Minnesota, Win
slow; Oregon, Stout.
The Speaker desired to say the Parlia-
mentary usage was to name on the con-
mittee the mover of the resolution under
which the committee was ordered 10 be
formed. He had omitted the name of
Mr.. Boteler at that gents own request
He had endeavored to appoint the COM
mite to the best of his judgement and at
the earliest period, in view of the impor-
tan, business with with the committee was
entrusted. -- sta
Mr.. Hawkins, of Fla, said last Tuesday
l begged to be excused from voting; for
similar reasons ask to be excused from
serving on this committee. l have consul
ted with older members as to whether it
is voluntary or no: for member appoint
ed on a committee 10 serve, and have been
informed that he is compelled by the rules
of the House to serve unless excused
and that if he does not serve be subjects
himself to something like rebuke or repri-
mand on the part of The House. Now as
long as | am anxions to respect all its
rules and l am unwilling to draw upon my
self rebuke or reprimand; therefore ask
the House to excuse me from being men,
Der of that committee. If | am compell-
ed by the rules or custom to serve, l will
be very unimportant and not an efficient
member. know cannot act with all the
committee. As to the idea of getting up
committee with unanimity, peace, and
a Union saving manner, have been op-
posed to anything of that kind in the past
and am now, believing that the time for
compromise is past forever.
Mr.. Jno. Cocrane of New York said,
that be had heard with great deal of re-
gret his friend asked to be excused from
serving on the committee. 1t has well
been said here to-day in the chaplain's
prayer that the gray shadow of the dark
wing of dissolution has been extended over
our house and country, and so deep is the
gloom that We can scarcely discern one
CLEAN of light to enable us to transact the
ordinary business of legislation. Mems
minds have been devoted for weeks past 10
the great and absorbing topic of controver-
sy which enIists all thoughts, and demands
of every individual his best exertions and
his purest wisdom. 1t is of importance to
this issue that the Republic should com
mand the exer.ions and efforts of all its
citizens. l believe now, in the midst of
this crisis, with the perils impending over
the country, that there is no reason why
this House, representing the patriotism and
wisdom of the country. should excuse the
gentleman from Florida. l believe that
from all parts of his State where the peo-
pie are looking with soIicitude on passing
events and with anxious eyes, if the vboice
of his constituents could be heard, it would
be in tones beseechng and appealing to
their representative to stand forward in this
issue and assume the brunt of the contro-
verSy. t..i .H -a.
He did not believe with the gentleman
that it was important to the welfare Of the
country that there should be a unanimous
report. on the subject referred to the COM
mittee. However, God grant it may be.
(Applause in the galleries accompanied by
cries of s'order, order," on the foor.) God
grant it may be stamped with the unanim-
| ity which patriotism demands. If this
country is TO be saved-if patriotism is not
sufficient to command this glorious result
it is due that the people of the United
States should know it: it is Que to the be-
nighted regions of the country that the
facts should be impressed on their minds
and ignorance no longer be pleaded as an
excuse for the acts which have brought US
to this fearful precipiiees. If we are not to
have unan:mus report 10 save the coun-
try from the pangs and agony of secession,
let US know what demands are made by
one section of the country from the other,
and let us feel what is the pulsation Of the
country, and let us answer the examinato-
~ inquisi,ion that comes from every por-
ton of the land, "Watchman, what of the
night" clearly and conclusively, whether
storms and madness rule the hour, whether
there is a harbipger of peace or whether
there is one gleam of morning in which
we may yet discern the stars and stripes
floating from yonder dome. These re-
marks were greeted with applause.
Mr.. Garnet hasily rose, saying I trust
in our grave deliberations the Chair will
stop applause whether on the floor or in
the galleries. Twill give notice. Here he