The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-12-31
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

4
change Of prisoners has already been
practiced indirectly; whereas. such ex-
changes serve to increase the vigor and
good feeling Of the army : and whereas.
they do not involve recognition of the
Rebels as Government therefore, re-
solved, that the President be requested
to inaugurate systematic measures for
the exchange OF prisoners.
The resolution of inquiry into tie
causes which led to the disaster at Bull
Run being taken up in the Senate, n
debate at some length ensued. Mr..
Shermen OF Ohio thought that the in
quiry should extend to the whole con-
duet Of the war. Many orders Of com
mahding officers need inquiiing into.
For instance. there was issued 10y one an
order TO receive no cotton; from another
10 receive no slaves high officer, tho
Adjutanl- General, has been travelling
about the country 10 pick up scraps of
evidence which are worth nothing when
obtained. All these matters, and many
others, lie thought. needed inourny
into. If lie could infuse into tho
army the spiri, of the people. the war
would be soon ended. The resolution
was adopted
Mr. Lovejoy offered, in tie House
oil Representatives, a resolution request
ing the President to revoke the clause
Of Gen. Halleck's recent order relating to
fugitive slaves. Mr.. Lansing Of New
York, proposed substitute, which was
accepted by Mr.. Lovejny ; this goes on
to say that, whereas Gen. Halleck had
issued an order prohibiting negroes from
coming within his lines, and excluding
all within the same at the date of the
order; and whereas different policy
and practice prevails elsewhere by the
direction of the Administration ard
whereas the said order is cruel and in.
human, and, in the judgment of the
House, based on no military necessity
therefore. resolved, that the President
be requested TO iirect Gen Halleck to
recall his order, or cause it to conform
10 the practice of other Departments Of
the army. The consideration Of the
subject was postponed for further dis
cuss'on
The resolutions in The House on Gen.
Haleck's Order No 3, which after a
discussion. were laid on the table were
the following Tie FIRST was by Mr..
Lovejov of Illinois;
Resolped, That the Secretary OF War
be requested 10 revoke tie first section
of The General Order. dated Nov. 26,
1861, Of Major General Haleck, com.
manding the Western Division Of tie
Army.
The section alluded to in tie above
resolutions is rs follows
'As 1t has been represented dat in.
formation OF tie number of our Amy,
and condition Of our Affairs, has been
conveyed 10 the enemy by means Of flu.
gitive slaves who have been allowed TO
enter our lines, therefore, in order TO
remedy the evil, no such persons shall
hereafter be permitted 10 enter the lines
of the army, and any now within them
shall be excluded iherei from"
Mr.. Lansing of New York, (Rep)
offered a substitute. which Mr.. Loyejov
accepted. as follows
WHEREAs, Major General Halleck, OF
The Wes ern Department. has issued an
order prohibiting negros from coming
within The lines of our army, and exclud.
ing those already under the protection Of
our troops and.
] WHEREAS. A different policy and
practice prevails in other departments.
by the direct sanction of the Admins.
lrslion and.
WHEREAS. Said order is cruel and in.
human. and in the judgment Of this
House based upon no military necessity;
therefore.
Resolred. That the President be re.
spectuliy requested TO direct Gen. Hal.
leck to recall said order. or cause il 10
conform TO the practice in other Depart
menls OF the army,
Frank Blair read letter from Gen.
Halleck, reference TO which. in detail,
viii be found in our dispatches Gen.
Hslleek expresses himself ready 10 car
ry out any orders that may be given
him. but claims for the one in question =
military necessity. What Gen. Halleck
has already done in his department, ha>
inspired new confidence and hope. and
the latter largely in the direction Of be.
lieving tha, he will see the necessity Of
using every means to prosecute the war.
aud the abrosation of tie order which
turns back upon the enemy a principal
source OF their strength and power
General HallecA's last order SAYS Of
the con,rahands
The laws oi the United States con-
t-ca1e the property Of any master in
slave used for insurrectionary purposes.
Should Congress extend Ibis penalty to
the property Of all rebels in arms. or
| giving aid. assistance and encourage
meai 10 the enemy. such provisions will
be strictly enforced. Military officers
do not make laws. but they should obey
and enforce them when made
i Congress is evidently in humor 10
enact laws which will enable General
Halleck 10 revise his former order ON the
cnnlrabsnd question.
/ -~~~0ss->
! Dufmg an examination, a medical
studen, being asked the question ..Whap