Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-01-07
Speech of Mr.. COnlSIIn, of New York, on
the Balps Bluff Disaster.

the Balps BIun Disaster.
We published in yesterdays Press the
opening remarks Of Mr.. ConkIin, of New
York, in the House of Representatives, on
the resolution making inquiry as to the dis
aster at Balls Bluff. The following are the
concluding proceedings in the Honse in
relation to the matter. Mr.. Conklin, in the
course of his remarks, said:
The Government is spending $4,000, 900 a
day, with over 100000 men in the field.
Whenever we have made an advance we
have been outnumbered and ignominiously
defeated, and yet the House and the country
ale denied the right of knowing who are
responsible. five can not have indemnity
for the past, in the name of humanity let US
have security for the futurel Let US know
who is responsible for the disaster at Balls
Bluff. He said after the publication of Ad-
jutantGeneral Thomas report relative to
General Fremont, certainly no publication of
any thing connected with the army should
be suppressed.
Mr.. Conkin was very pointed and SO.
we're in his comments. He offered a pre-.
amble reciting the resolution heretofore
adopted, and the response concluding with a
resolution that the answer to it is neither
responsive nor satisfactory to the House, and
that the Secretary of War be directed to re-
turn further answers
Mr.. Richardson said he was opposed to the
whole resolution; it was subject with
which they had nothing to do, and the sooner
they stopped the proceedings the better for
the country.
Mr.. Crittenden thought the House had no
power, under the Constitution, to inquire
into matters purely military; the army is
under the command of the President, who is
responsible for its operations To interfere
with this, therefore, would be an attempt to
extend our civil jurisdiction. Even if we
had the right to make such an inquiry, did
not public policy forbid itP Could war be
successfully conducted on such principle?
If faults have been committed, they are to be
examined into and punished by the military
tribunals. Such an inquiry now would lead
to future similar embarrassmeuts. He be-
lieyed that the whole country has confidence
in General Mcclellan. We had better
weaken our army than weaken confidence
10 the GeDeral-in. Chief. An army of hares
led by lion is more to be dreaded than an
army of lions led by hare.
Mr.. Conklin further explained the object
and purpose OF his resolution, replying to
Mr.. Crittenden.
Mr.. Vallandigham said he would at all
times maintain the subordination of the mil
itary to the civil authority. The British
Parliamenthas exercised the right of inquiry
into the conduct of the Crimean War, but
here the Secretary of War had only exer-
cised discretion allowed to him by the
House, and it was now too late to complain
of it.
Mr.. Lovejoy entered his protest against the
principle enun ciated by the gentleman from
kentucky, having always believed the mill
tary should be subordinate to the civil
powers. We are waiting in the fruitless
hope that the rebellion would put itself down.
The idea is, if we don't hurt any body, the
rebels will return to their allegiance.
Mr.. Lovejoy resuming, asked Mr.. Wick
life whether he preferred the perpetuation
of slavery rather than the Union.
Mr.. Wickliffe replied, he was for preserv-
ing the Union under the Constitution, re-
Rarding its obligations imposed on every
citizen.
He would preserve the institution of
slavery under the Constitution, as declared
by the House, and voted for by Loveioy,
and as declared in the Presidents two mess.
ages. ..
Mr.. Loveioy asked if a ship must be saved
by throwing overheard a portion of the crew,
which would he prefer?
Mr.. Wicklitfe responded, and said he
would throw the Abolitionists overheard.
Mr.. Mallory eaid he understood Mr.. Love-
lov :" Say that slavery weighed so heavily
on our drny as 10 renuer " Impossible TO
achieve a victory until slavery is removed
out of the way. Presuming he knew the
feeling in Kentucky, ii we considered
slavery standing 10 the way of the Coustitu-
tion, we would wipe it out. [applause.1
Mr. Dunn said If il had been proclaimed at
the commencement of the war that the OBJ.
ject was to overthrow slavery, instead of six
hundred thousand there would be only a
small band of John Browns at the heels of
the gentlemen. He also said he believed
by this war slavery had received its DEATH
blow.
Mr. Stevens, in the course fsome remarks,
said itappears that the Border States would
rather see the Constitution and Union perisb
than see slavery perish.
after further discussion, Conklins Feso-
luton was adopted BY 10 sgainst "a.
Mr.. Stevens reported a joint resolution ex-
planning the recent act imposing duties on
tea, coffee and sugar. Passed.
Adjourned.