New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-12
UOUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Mr.. COBB Dem, Ala.) resumed the debate on the
motion of Mr. Hawkins, TO be excused from serving
the Committee Of Thitythree. He said, if he under
stood Alright the rst question in order was on the mo-
ton TO excuse the gentleman from Florida from
ing on the Special Committee OF Tblrty-three, ap-
pointed Thursday last. 1t was not his purpose to
make speech, because be was satisfied that me eyes
of the whole country directed to what this
House should DO and the report that this Committee
slonId make. lie was anxious that something should
proceed from that Committee, hOpng-though he must
confess his hoIes were very fint-that something
would result from the action of that Committee to re-
store peace TO the country. If anything was to be
dore Which would have the effect OF causing his
State (Alabama) to remain In the Union, II must
be done Immediately for election for representatives
TO State Convention Was TO take place on the 24h OF
this month and the Convention is to meet on the 9TH of
next He would Ike to present his views III relation
to the various questions which that COMMITTEE would
be called upon to consider but duty admonisned him
TO withhold those views, and ask more particularly
that the previous question be sustained in order that
they might have vote upon the proposition to excuse
the member from Florida, as they would have similar
PROPOSITIONS to act upon in regard to other members
and therefore the time OF the House would be occupied
in discussing each question, when there was not
moment to lose. The public mind was now In anxious
suspense and therefore something ought TO be done
Immediately. What means the crowded state OF the
qalleres here to-day lie asked the question; II was
easily answcIed-why because ofhe excitement which
peryaded the whole country. Not only here, but all
over the country, they were looking daiiy-yea,
NOullN-fOT tils House 10 90 tncS
now nonopoize the time that should be occupied by
ills Committee in discussing questions which would
cone up in all probability aterthe report OF the Com
mittee He thought not. lie trusted that when he
asked for the previous question debate would De ter
minated and his call sustained He was glad to see
bv the par ers this morning that action was being had
in the North which would have tendency to change
tie public mind A CLEAN of light had already come
from Boston. He hoped that the North would meet
in her conventions. and wherever an election was
held demonstrate TO the country that there was now
returning Of Justice and that the questions whlch
had agitaed the country heretofore would hold
Of Ly the PEOPLE themselves and so disposed OF az 10
give satisfaction to the country. lie again expressed
tie hope that the Committee would endeayor to pre-
sent some measures which would restore harmony to
this now distracted country. AS far as his own state
was concerned he would say that he knew she would
not remain in this Confederacy longer than the 18th OF
January unless something was done. Ills prayer was
that something might be done to enable her TO remain
in the Union upon constitutional and equal principles
He was not secessiOnist lie desired peace, but he
desired il predcated upon the principles Of the Const'
tuition. lie now called the previous question.
Mr. DAVIS Dem, Miss. MIR. Speaker
The SPEAKER-1he previous question is demanded
by tie gentleman from Alabama.
Mr. DAVIS-I hope the gentleman from Alabama
will withdraw it for few moments VIII not de-
tain the House long.
Mr. COBB-Will the gentleman renew it when he
has concluded
Mr. DAVIS-I will do 20, Sir.
Mr. COBB-Then | withdraw it.
Mr. DAVIS sad Mr.. Speaker, the member from
Florida (Mr. Hawkins and the member from South
Carolina Mr. Boyce have each requested tnls house
10 relieve them from serving this Committee, and
have given their reasons therefor. II may not be I'M
proper in me to give some explanation OF my deter,
mined course Of action accept the appointment, ana
shall meet and act with the COMMITTEE. fVr lnls
course may be blamed here and censured at home;
STILL as my Judgment dictates this course as proper,
ard as my conscience approves it, defy the world
orrion | stand here to-day not the representative OF
.f..fa. of fba
my own preferences, but as the repiesem;Ne vi alo
ecnls and interests of 1900 voters Their interests
and their wishes shall be rule of my action while
hold seat upon this floor. l trust, however, to be
allowed to express my regrets that ihe resolution
creaii the Committee came from southern enoeI'
a distinguished Representative of the Common
wealth of Nirpinia, and whose ACTON was ln1OIsed Dy
a very large majority of members from the southern
States cannot, therefore, conslderlt dishOhoraoe 10
serve on it, While expect nothing ustiu 10 lhe mar
ouy Of the country from the action OF tins COMMITTEE,
shah guard against its being made 90 operate 10 ar
rest the present action of the Southern States III the
progrcsa they are making 10 secure their equih'y anu
rights out Of the Union, since they nave oeeh unaole
10 secure them in it. In my Judgment, proper re-
erect for the dignity OF the South demands that the
members OF this Committee from the southern states
should all withdraw and leave the kcpuDheah ihe,h-
bers TO meet, consult and submit an uilla'u' LOT lc
eeparate consideration Of the various decorations from
the Southern States Since however, this VIII not be
done sha act with them, IN the hope that no oouth
EN- member will 70 disregard bis seli-reSpect no 10 pro-
pose terms 10 the Northern members: am vi tno ppm
Ion that onr pregent Constitution il quite ample to
secure to the Southern States all rights, State and in
dvidual If honest and faithfully administered in strict
accordance with lis letter and spirit and as the con-
science Of the Republican party VIII NOT allow us pro-
Visions TO be executed do not hope 10 ma any Sc
cury in any compromise, or in reconstruction OF the
Constitution Tie only safe guaranty we can rely
upon, is in an evidence that anaticisn has been ex-
tingushod in the minds OF the people OF tne Noiln
ard that sense of Justice has been restored IL mas
well been said, COM Union rests upon public opinion
Then if it must live in the affections OF the people,
but as that has been entirely eXtinguished at least
so far as the Republican party Is concerned, l
have no hone of maintaining il by compromise
or by the use Of the sword Any policy, then,
of the now dominant Republican party which de-
srovs all affection for the Union in the hearts OF The
peoIle of the Slave States, must ana mas already DE
ndGmen the subject mat or referred to this Committee