The national Republican., 1860-12-07
THIRTY-SIXTH RESS,
Second Session.
Thursday, December 6, 1860.

announced the following special committee,
under Mr.. Boteler's resolution to consider the
questions connected with the perilous condition
Of the country; ..,,
Corwin, of Ohio, rep, chairman Milson,
of Va, dem; Adams, Of Mass, rep; Winslow,
Of N. G. DEM; Humphrey, Of N. I, rep;
Boyce, Of s. c., dem; Campbell, OF Pa, rep;
Love, of Ga, DEM; Ferry, of Conn, rep.
Davis, of Nd, Amer Robinson, Of r. l., rep.
Whiteley, of Del, DEM; Stratton, of N. j., rep;
Bristow, Of Ky, Amer. Morrill,, of VT, rep;
Nelson, of Tenn, Amer; Dunn, Of Ind rep;
Taylor, of La; dem. Davis of Miss, dem.;
Kellogg, of Ill. rep; Houston, of Ala, dem.
Morse, Of Maine, rep; Phelps, Of Mo-, DEM;
Rust, Of Ark, dem. Howard, Of Mich, rep.
Hawkins, of Fla, dem.; Hamilton, of Texas,
dem.; Washburn, Of Wis, rep /; Curtis, of
Iowa, rep. ; Burch, of CAL, dem. Window, Of
Mimi, rep; Stout, of Oregon, dem; Tappan,
Of n. H., rep.
The peaker desired to say that it was par
liamentary usage to name on the committee
the mover of resolution under which it was
ordered to be- formed, but he had omitted the
name of Mr.. Boteler at that gentemans own
request. He had endeavored to appoint the
committee to the best Of his judgment, and at
the earliest period, in view Of the important
business with which it was intrusted.
Mr.. Hawkins, of Florida, said Last Tuesday
l begged to be excused from voting, and, for
similar reasons, I now ask to be excused from
serving on this committee. / have consulted
with the older members as to whether II is vol
untary or not for member appointed on COM
mittee to 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 he
subjects himself to something like rebuke or
reprimand from the House. Now, as long as /
am a member Of this body, and anxious to re.
spect all its rules, and unwilling to draw upon
myself rebuke or reprimand, therefore ask the
House to excuse me from serving as member
of this committee.
Mr. John Cocbrlne said he had heard with
great deal of regret that lis friend asked to be
excused from service on the committee. 1t has
been said here to-day, in the Chaplain's prayer,
that "the gray shadow of the dark wing OF dis.
solution has been extended over our House and
country" aud so deep is the gloom that we can
scarcely discern one gleam of light to enable us
to transact the ordinary business Of legislation.
Mems minds have been devoted for weeks past
to the great and absorbing topic of controversy
which enlists all our thoughts and demands OF
every individual his best exertons and his purest
emotions and wisdom.
1t is of importance to this issue that the Re
public should command the exertions and ef.
forts of all its citizens. believe now, in the
midst of this crisis, with the perils impending
over the country-nay, with the danger already
upon it-that there is no reason why this House,
representing the patriotism and wisdom OF the
country. should, in prudence, excuse the gen.
tleman from Florida. / believe, from all parts
of his State, where the people are looking with
solicitude on the passing events, and with anx.
ious ewes, if the voice of his constituents would
. ho IL Il ha IN haspachinu
appealing to their Representatives to stand for
ward in this issue, and assume the brunt of the
controversy.
He did not believe, with the gentleman, that
it was important to the welfare Of the country
there should be unanimous report on the sub.
ject referred to the committee. However, God
grant it may be. Applause in the galleries,
accompanied by cries Of " order" on the floor.
God grant it may be stamped with the unanim-
ity which patriotism demands! If the country
is not 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.
1t is due to the benighted regions Of the
country that the facts should be impressed on
their minds, and ignorance no longer be plead
ed as an excuse for the acts which have brought
us to this fearful precipice. If we are not to
have a unanimous report to save the country
know what demands are made by one section
of the country upon the other, and let us feel
what is the pulsation Of the country. And let
us be enabled to answer the EXPLANATORY in
quiry that comes from every portion of the
land, Watchman, what of the night?" clear
ly and neutrality-suspicious. storms and mad
ness rule the hour-whether there is harbn
ger of peace, or whether there is one lean o.
morning by which we may discern the star:
and stripes floating from yonder dome. These
remarks were greeted with warm applause.
Mr.. Garnett hastily rose, saying: trust thai
in our grave deliberations the Chair will stoE
applause, whether on the floor or in the gal
leries ! will give notice Here he was me-
with, hissess from the galleries. now move
that the galleries be cleared. Renewed Kisses.
These disgraceful blackguards who violate the
rules of the House, and the decorum and dig
nifty which are due to the Representatives Of the
people, should be forthwith expelled from the
The Speaker said he had no doubt that thu
suggestions of the gentleman Of Virginia woulC
be sufficient for "a respectable auditory, and in
sure quiet.
Mr. Morris, of Illinois, appealed to Mr.. Coch
rane to refrain from further discussion Of thi
question.
Mr.. Cochrane resumed. deprecate with al
others these testimonials, either of appreciation
or of censure, from the galleries or floor of thi
House, yet an excuse might be found in tn
character of the theme before us, which appeal
| TO the emotions of all, however humble they ma
be, in the Republic; but it is eminently prope
that these rules of order should be observed
and the subject discussed with the gravity tha
its nature demands, and that the American
Congress, even if in the pangs of dissolution,
it is to fall, should fall decently, with its oicia
robes gathered around it.
had not intended even to allude to the grea
principle which reposes at the base of this ques
ton. 1t would be unwise and improper; bu
the illusions | have made were necessary il
order that might bring to the intelligence an