Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-08-09
,a.,an. .b,t , him n,ssinr both Houses be,

7 SdLlS ~ ldn
Legislature intended to insult the Senate, was
a misconception but that the Senate, oy re.
fpsinr to receive the memorial, would Insult
the State of MARYLAND; tho insult was entirely
tho nther way, and that such insults could not
ho Continued with impunity they would nat
,r,Il, ecvor the union which now exists be.
taoon MARYLAND and the other Federal States.
r. was imrnaterial to him whether the Senate
accented the bill or mott was still the senti-
ment Of the Legislature Of Maryland.
Mr.. Howe, Of Wisconsin, objected to the
memorial being printed, upon the grounds set
forth by Mr.. Morrill,.
Mr.. Bayard, Of Del, replied, arguing tho
justice OF the proposition to print.
Mr.. FesSenden favored the proposition to
print, and said, in cxtenuatiou, that they had
no precedent Of a refusal to do so.
Upon the vote being taken by ~acclamation,
there was a large majority in favor Of accept
ing and printing the memorial.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. DIN, from the committee on military
affairs, reported back the Senate bill to pro-
mote the efficiency Of the volunteer forces by
authorizing the President to discharge from the
service any commissioned volunteer officers for
incapacity, ineficiency, misconduct or neglect
Of duty.
The committee reporteda substitute to apply
the principles Of the bill to the officers of the
regular army, as we'll as to those Of the yolun-
teer force-thc 6ismiSsalS to take place with.
out instituting a board of inquiry or court mar
tial. -
Mr.. Oiin said he knew this was an arbitrary
power, but in the present emergency he was
willing to trust its execution to the commander
in chief.
Mr.. Vallandigham suggested that so much
of the substitute rs proposed to affect volunteer
officers be stricken out 1t was extraordinary.
considering that such officers were appointed
BY State authority, under constitutional war
rant ; and, besides, il was arbitrary to dismiss
officers without Injury.
Mr.. Burnett contcnded that the power to be
conferred on the President, as contemplated by
the bill, was clearly unconstitutional; and that
the measure was in keeping with all the for
mcr legislation Of this Congress. lie de-
nounced the bill. Where was a precedent to
be found? Was there ever such legislation?
To be sure the constitution has become rather
| obsolete in this House, but If gentlemen would
pardon him, Mr.. B. would venture occasionally
| to allude to that sacred but unfortunate inStru-
Incnt. Mr.. B. saw no reason or excuse for
this bill; it simply astounded him.
Mr.. Olin asked if, as Mr.. Burnett admitted,
Off GERS appointed under State authority might
De removed by court martial, why might not
another mode DO adopted TO effect the same
object9-why not the President be substituted
for the court martial, and save delays: Mr..
Olin was tired Of these eternal harangucs
about the constitutioa-especially from the
gentleman from Kentucky, who is too ingenu.
Gus not to expose continually his sympathy
for the rebels; the record was unfi"orah!c 10
the sentleman'S loyalty.
Mr.. Burnett said gentlemen were ever too
ready to eyadc manly argument by recourse to
personalities. Such attacks upon his loyalty
had become a ~favorite refuge for those who had
no better reason for their measures or theirrotes.
As for his loyalty, Mr.. Burnett held himself
accountable TO no man here. He should do
his duty, very boldly, very Independently
An impartial postcrity will Judge between him
and the gentleman from New York-an Impair
tial p~ostcrity will decide which has sought to
avert, and which to precipita;c the sorrows
and the horrors OF our country. Ii his VOICE
could have reached the heart Of the gentleman
from New York, the record would stand d,f
fcrcnt between them.
As long as his native State chung to the Con.
~st!tution 10 which, as . member Of this House,
he was bound by an oath, he should recog.
nize his allegiance to the Federal Government;
bat whenever he heard the voice Of that State
calling him to her, he shall respond promptly
and with all his heart. As for sympathy
with the rebels" if to sympathize with the
people OF his own soil, the people Of his own
blood, whose institutions are his W ~institu-
tons, whose rights his own rights, and who
waged no war upon thcm-if that be "sympa.
thy with the rebels" then gentlemen might
make the most Of it.
On motion OF Mr. Iiutchins, the bill was laid
On the table.
Mr.. Allen moved to take up the Senate reso.
luton providing that a joint committee Of both
branches Of Congress shall call on the President
and request min to'set apart a day for public
humiliation, thanksgiving and prayer, to be
observed with solemn religious ceremonies,
~fervent suplication fpr the success Of our arms
and the restoration Of peace.
Mr.. Lovcjny moved TO amend the bill by ad-
ding, sand by reading the 5Sth chapter Of
Isaiah
Mr.. Vallandigham suggested the Sermon on
the Mount.
The original resolution was adopted.