Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-18
S7th COngreSs---FirSt Session.
HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, December II.
Mr.. Bingham, from the Judiciary Committee,
reported back the joint resolution directing and
requiring the Provost Court at Alexandria,
Virginia, to retain and safely keep in its Gus
t0dy any property taken rs that of persons en-
gagged in or aiding the rebellion sgainst the
United States, until the further action of Con-
gress touching the same. The resolution was
passed.
The House resumed the consideration of the
special order, being Mr.. Elliotts resolution
proposing the emancipation of the slaves Of
rebels, &c.
Mr.. Harding, of Kentucky, invoked calm
and patriotic consideration of the subject now
before the House. 1t was with the deepest pain
that he witnessed the introduction of the prop
osition at an early period in the session, and
the attempt to pass it under the operation of
the previous question. He thought that there
WAS disposition to exclude all reflection and
refusal to pause in the apparently mad career,
but when disposition was afterward shown to
act with deliberation his hopes revived.
Mr.. Harding then proposed to elaborate the
following points Of his opposition to the pend
ing resolutions:
First: We have no constitutional power to
pasS them or any bills on the subject.
Second: AS he proceeded to show from CO.
pious extracts] Congress, and the President,
and the Administration stand pledged, in the
most solemn and public manner, against all
interference With slavery, therefore to sanction
such policy would be a palpable violation of
the pligb.ed faith Of his Government.
Third: He opposed the resolution because
legislation on the subject is forbidden by ev-
cry principle of sound policy.
Fourth: He opposed them, as all kindred
measures, because they would inaugurate a
war which would involve, in It's horrors, the
loyal and disloyaI, the innocent and guilty,
and warfare disgraceful to any civilized and
Christian nation. .....
In the course Of his remarks he said this war
has nothing more to do with slavery than with
any other institution. Let slavery alone; it
will take care of itself. He showed the injus-
tce of diverting the war from its original de-
| sign; namely, the restoration of obedience to
the Constitution, laws and the preservation of
| the Union.
The following were submitted by Mr.. Van
Wick, Chairman of the Investigating Com
| mittee: q.
ResolUed, That the Secretary of the Treasury
be requested to adjust the claim against the
| Government for the s 1000 Hall carbnes, pur-
chased through Simon Stevens, ESQ.,, by Gen.
| j. C. Fremont, on the 9th of August, 1861, and
afterwsrd delivered at the United States Ar.
senal at ST. Louis, on the basis of sale of said
arms to the Government for $12 so each, re-
| jecting all other demands against the Govern
! ment on account Of the purchase Of said arms.
Resolrsd, That the practice of employing ire
sponsible parties, having no official connection
with Government, in the performance of public
duties which may be properly performed BY
regular officers of the Government, aud Of pur-
chasing by private contrast supplies for the
different departments, where fair and open
competition might properly be invited BY
reasonable advertisements for proposals, is in
furious to the public service, and meets the I'm
qualified disapprobalion of this House.
The conclusion of che report was postponed
till Tuesday. iT '..
Nj, Morrill, introduced bill, which waI
passed, to suspend the appointment of Asses
sors and Collectors Of the Income Tax unit
the 1st of April next.
The bill for indemnify for tho detention o
the British ship Perthshire came up.
Mr.. Cox, in the course Of his remarks on tn
subject, said Government took pride in accord
ing satisfaction in this case; and it is hopet
the action of this House toward foreign pow
ers will show wise and just coneiliation, with
out any timid or timesserVing concession
He adVerted 10 EDRland's strange course re-
gardiDg the pirate NashuiHe.
Af,er lengthy remarks, the bill passed.
Adjourned.