Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-01-03
NUMBER 80

uelIion VIII erumDle TO the centre as aves-
sci will collapse when you create vacu-
um by withdrawing the air.
This subject think l could discuss al
ways-it opens and widens before us as
we touch it. But have spoken at length
and must close by presenting to you my
thanks for this demonstration, and to wish
oh, how heartily do I wish-that when
We meet again upon such an occasion. we
can congratulate each other that the rebel
lion is crushed out permanently, and
that we have indeed Republic of free
men.
Cheers long and continued followed the
Generals retirement from the stand show
ing, BY their spontaneous beartiness, how
the speaker had touched responsive minds.
Interesting Debate in Congress. .r-
Tie Order Of Gen. HaUech Respecting Fu-
| gitiUe Slares.
The consideration of the following pre-
amble and resolution was announced in the
House last Thursday:
Whereas, Major Gen. Halleck, IF the
Western Department, has issued an order
prohibiting negroes from coming within the
lines of our army, and excluding those al
ready under the protection of our troops,
and -
Whereas A different policy and prac-
tce prevail in other Departments, by the
direct sanction of the Administration, and
whereas, SAID order is cruel and inhuman,
and in the Judgment of this house, based
upon no military necessity therefore,
Resolved, That the President be respect
fully requested to direct Gen. Halleck to
recall said order, or cause it to conform to
the practices in other departments of the
army. A-
AIr. Stevens, [Rep.l of Pennsylvania
said | think. sir, we ought to proceed at
once to the consideration of the resolution.
If it is to have any gooi effect. the sooner
it is considered the better, and that it viii
have good effect l think 7 can show.
We all know before the issue of this order
that the successor of Gen, Fremont, more
for the purpose Of hunting down Gen. Ere
mont than for any other cause, ordered all
the slaves received by Gen. Fremont with
in our lines to be excluded therefrem and
returned to their masters. and, that, in
the future, no more fugitives should be re-
ceived within our lines. This order was
given under pretence Of prevent ng the fu-
gitives from conveying intelligence as
spies, from our camp to the enemy I; but
any man who reads that order will see, at
once, that this is very bad pretence, in
deed, and could not deceive child. That
slaves will run away from their masters no
one doubts, but that there is any danger
of their returning as spies, and giving in
telligence to the enemy, seems incredible.
All information on this subject, shows that
fugitives slaves never desire to run to their
masters, and in addition. they are true,
loyal and faithful to those who shelter
them.
As understand it, the order excluding
slaves from our lines, and returning them
to their masters, was inaugurated by Major
General McClcllan, while he commanded
in Western Virginia Soon after this came
the magnanim0us proclamation of Gen.
Dix, who, when be sent down an army to
the eastern shore Of Virginia, amidst none
but secessionists ordered his Generals to
arrest any fugtives who might come within
their hnes. and retsrn them to their mas
ters. With refereuce to the army on the
Potomac, tie same rule prevails Upon
one occasion two slaves came within our
lines, who had found two or three of Or
wounded soldiers who had crept into the
bushes. and there escaped the enemy, and
saved their lives, and after aiding and at
tending them till they we're restored to
their friends, these fugitives were ordered
by Gen. Kelly to be returned to their
Mr.. LovEJoY. [rcp. of III. - The state
ment was that the masters were secession
lists at that. a.Fa- ~ .
Mr. STEVENS So It was but ! do not
care whether they were or not j; there Is
no precedent for this piece Of cold blooded
atrocity in history. In my Judgment all
these acts are wrong if rders for this line of
conduct emanate from the commanding Gen.
erals, they deserve to have the epaulettes
stricken from their shoulders. IF they
came from higher authority l have only to
say, ''God forgive them, for they know not
what they do"
THE CHARLESTON FIRE-A New York
paper, in commenting on the fire at
Charleston says:
''It is worthy of remark that \ Institute
Hall-where the semocratic convention
was held which split the party and split
Tryt