Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-01-02
The Yankee Congress.

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 The following synopsis of proceedings, in the federal congress, is made up by the Louisville Courier from late Northern pa pers:-
 HoUsE-Mr Richardson, from the com mitte on military affairs, reported the fol- lowing, which was passed;
 WHEREAS, The exchange of prisoners in 1 the present rebellion has already been prac- ticed indirectly, and as such exchange would not only increase enlistments and add to the vigor of our army, but subserve the highest interests of humanity, and as such exchange does not involve the recognition of the rebels as government, therefore.
 Resolged, by the Senate, House of Rep 1 re>entatyeS, etc.. that the President of the United States be requested to inaugrate systematic measures for the exchange of prisoners in the present rebellion. Mir. Wicklif1e, from the committee on military affairs, reported bill authorizing the raisiug of volunteer force for the bet ter defense of Kentucky.
 SENATE
 \ number Ofpetiti0ns were presented and referred to appropriate committees. Sever al on the emancipation of the slaves of reb- els were presented and referred to the judi ciary committee
 Nr. Sumner presented resolution that all memorials and papers on the files of the senate relating to the recognition of Libe- Iia and Hayti be taken from the files and re- ferred to the committee on foreign affairs. Agreed Q.
 Mr. Clark offered a resolution request ing the Marshal of the District of Columbia to inform the Senate by what authority he keeps slaves of the District in jail because they are refractory. He said he had visited the jail, and found a number of slaves of the District confined, for no reason but be- cause their masters or mistresses sent them there because they were refractory.
 The resolution was agreed to-
 Mir. Halls resolution, directing the judi ciary committee to enquire into the exp pedi ency of abolishing the present supreme court and establishing another, was taken uP. He said the present supreme court had failed, He believed if the rebels now in arms should succeed the supreme court would decide that the soldiers now in Vir- glnla were trespassers and rioters.
 Mr. Collamer moved, as substitute, that all portions of the Presidents message rela- ting to the judiciary, be referred to the ju dietary committee.
 Mir. Collamer's amendment was agreed to, and the resolution, as amended, was adop- ted
 On motion of NIT. Chandler. the resou- ton inquiring into the causes of the disas- ter to our army at Bulls Run and Balls Bluff was taken up. The question was on the substitute offered by Mir. Grimes, that committee investigate the cause of all the disasters that have happened 10 the union forces.
 Mr. Chandler said officers of the army were not liable to impeachment, but one of our own number has fallen, Baker land no- body is to blame; he thought the facts ought to be known; he wanted the truth known regarding the disasters in Missouri, referred to by the Senator from Kansas. If Gen. Fremont is to blame let it be known, but if ; let the country know it.
 Mr Foster thought it best not to investi- gate the subject now under the present cir cumstances; he thought Congress had bet ter not do it. If military officers managed the army badly, Congress would only make bad matter worse by interfering; he would let the military alone in time of war; an enquiry of this kind would only caII.men away from higher duties; at the proper time congress might make the en. qui.y.
 Mir. Sherman believed an investigation would be beneficial especially general inquiry into the whole conduct of the war. and said he would record his solemn con- victlon taat before the war ceased, slavery would almost, if not entirely, cease to ex- lst; bat the war should be carried on, without any reference to the subject of slavery, to preserve free country for free men. If he could infuse the spirit of the people into all the departments of the gov ernment, the war would soon end.
 Mir. Wilson was glad theIesolution would take wide field, He thought it was time the pr0clamations of officers should cease, and the government have the sole settled policy. We must remember we had not the men of large military experience. Great mistakes had been made, and were likely to be made, but he wanted it understood that the people expected no mistakes would be made, but that every man gives all he has and is to the country.
 Mr. Latham called for tue yeas and nays. |