Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-07-19
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from any suspicion OF a correspondence or
attempted correspondence through Mr..
May.
On motion Of Mr.. Hickman the resolution
was laid on the table.
Mr.. May, by permission of tie House, then
proceeded to make a personal explanation.
He said that be was more than Rrati6ed that
the Committee on Judiciary had In this de-
cisive way condemned an unparalleled outrage
upon him and his constituents. and that on
an investigation those who were called upon
TO adduce proof had TO admit that there was
no ground OF evidence for the charge. He
had no words with which to pronounce his
indignation and disgust for such a proceed
ing He spoke Of the humiliation he felt at
the attitude of his constituents now bound
in chains withoutsthe rights Of free people;
all their precious rights under Constitution
prostrated and trampied under foot. The
military had arrested unoifending citizens In
the dead hour Of the night and inearcerated
them in the forts. Injuries had been in
ficted without redress by our soldiers. Was
it not natural that he should feel indignant
under these wrongs, and was it not reasonable
to hope that there was yet redeening spirit
in our Constitution.
Mr.. Hutchins understood that the gentle
man had obtained leave to make a personal
explanation, but instead of that he was
bringing charges as to the manner in which
bis constituents were treated. He therefore
made this point of order.
The Speaker replied that be had no control
over. the line Of remarks, in reference 10
which the House must Judge for itself
Mr.. May resumed, saying he had fought
against the monstrous heIesy of secession
de had stood faithfully for the union of the
States, aRd be meant to stand by it. He
claimed that he possessed the spirit of free
man to emancipate his constituents from
tyranny and oppression. lal .e
Mr. Stevens (interrupting May) moved, as
the sense of this House, that his (May's) re
marks we're not in order; therefore he ought
not to be permitted to proceed.
The Speaker repeated that it was for The
House to control the line of debate.
Mr.. Stevens appealed from the decision O
the Speaker. ms .lF 4a5l4s.l.sal .H.
Mr.. Yallapdigham moved to lay the appea
on the table iaf f.f
Motion disagreed to--yeas So, nays 80.
After further proceedings the decision o.
the Chair was overruled, and on motion o
Mr.. Davis Mr.. May was allowed to contiuu,
bis remarks.
Mr. May said that when the freedom o.
debate shall be opened to American repre-
sentatives on this floor, then shall speak a
it becomes me to do. f.ii g
Mr.. May finished his remarks and request
ed the privilege Of presenting a memorial
couched in respectful language, from the po-
lice commissioners. A discussion ensuec
between Messrs. May and Colfax. Mr.. Col.
fax said, in response to the gentleman's dec
laration of his determination to stand by
the Union, he supposed that Mr.. May had
been grossly misrepresented by a Richmond
correspondent of Charleston paper, who
asserted that he May laid to the pO-CaIlet
Confederate Government that 80 600 men in
Maryland were ready to arm against the
Federal forces in that city.
nation that had reached him of such Iet.
ter. He had not seen it. He had no obiec-
ton to the reading of the entire article.
The clerk then read the letter. Il was da.
ted Richmond, July 4th. Among other
things it said the object of Mr.. Nays visit
had not transpired, but it looked to certain
events in Maryland, and that the intelligence
he brought was enough 10 make Americans
weep that the city of Baltimore vas unosr
the heel of tyranny. The women had been
insulted and outrsges committed such as 10
mankind blush. In fact, that a reign of
terror existed. BE was strongly of the hope
that the day of retaliation was not far dis.
tant, that 10000 Marylanders would rise M
in arms against their opprsssors and though
an attempt might be made to deprive them
Of their arms, 5000 muskets were concealed
and guarded night and day.
Mr.. May said that be did not know who
wrote the letter, and that it was absolutely
untrue that he communicated to the autbor
any such things. 1t was equally untrue in
point of fact that 30, 600 men were ready To
rise against the Government as therein Sta
ted but there were more than 10000 free
men, who, if the present oppression shall
not be removed, viii vindioate their consti-
tuional rights. He was one of the number.
placing himself on the ground of copstitu-
tional rights, on the ground of resisting
y rAn1y and oppression and on the pronnd
eoLsecrated to Divine right But as n
against the Federal authorities IN
Maryland, to overturn them and this Gov
eminent, the thing is srabsolutely preposter-
olIs. It never did exist. The contrary was
reported By miserable miscreants and spies.
who resorted to malicious falsehoods. He
o! such grounds as these. that
people loyal and true TO the Constitution are
dominated over and crushed under the heel
1f the military power. He denounced it as
An unparalleled outrage. He knew what he
had done, and invited the strictest scrutiny
nto all bis acts. He was elected a repre-
OF peace and compromise bY
arge majority.
As Union man looking to the salvation
't this great, glorious and happy country. he
toed here commit ed to such measures a. !
will uphold and maintain it. He would Law |
lowns his life TO secure this object. No |
orces or menRces should shake his love of /
'eace. It was true that be went to virginia
he mother of States, which was so closely
llied to Maryland ia blood ami interest. he /
cit that be had a right to INQUIRE into tbe
the South; to find out the views
I the Government established over them.
4 order that be might do everything possible
Q assuage this frightful civil strife. He felt
hat his motives were the most honorable of
is life. Before going to Richmond he call
on the President of the United States and
lated frankly his object. He did not ask
i'm for his sanction. He did not wish b
mbarrass him. He asked his permission
, leave Washington and cross over into
irginia. 1t was distinctly understood that
e went thither on the most private mission
e asked the President for the necessary
'rmality for that purpcsA The President
ave him permission to obtain passport
ON Gen. Scott on this representation. It
as not objected to that be should 90 to
ichmond on his own responsibility.
After further discussion between Nav and
olfax, Thomas said there was a condition =
affairs in Maryland painful to every citi-
n within its borders, and he undertook To
and here and azer that she in her heart of
arts, speaking through a large msioritv
L nana-