The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-01-08
ashington, Jan. !

w
HoUsE-A message was received from
the President with reference to the Trent
affair.
Mr.. Vallandigham took occasion to ex-
press his dissatisfaction at the COURSE par-
sued BY the Government in delivering up
Mason andSIidell, remarking that in less
than three months we would be at war
with Great Britain or else we will tamely
submit TO the recognition of the Southern
Confederacy and the breaking up Of the
blockade.
Mr.. Hutehins replied, saying that his
colleague had heretofore been opposed to
coercion as to the South, while now he is
against delivering up Mason and Slidell.
The position of his colleague was liable
to the suspicion that his belligerent atti.
tude was one which would benefit the
rebels by getting up war between Eng
land and the United States, war which
the South desired with that view
Mr.. Thomas, Of Massachusetts, argued
to show the justification Of the capture of
Mason and Slidell. England did us griev-
Gus wrong in making the demand which
was unjust and insolent in spirit. She
has done that which has implanted in the
American breast SENSE Of wrong which
will await the opportunity to strike the
blow Of retributiye justice.
The message and documents Werrre.
ferred to the Committee on Foreign At
| fairs.
Mr. Hutehins said he may have misun-
derstood his colleague. At all events
when and where had his colleague from
the commencement of this rebellion ever
voted for a measure for subduing the re-
bellion and to establish the authority Of
the United States The records of the
House scarcely show vote or speech of
his colleague in which he had not opposed
the war ever since its commencement
| He believed that was a fair statement Of
the position of his colleague, and nov he
3ettaii44 Aaarst held 1n to tfgssrs Mason and
Slidell in order that it might result in war
with Great Britain for the benefit of the
rebels.
Mr.. Thomas, Of Massachusetts,, said
this question involved points of law and
some nicely. 1t was too much to assume
that this country could take another war
on its hands and we must therefore wait,
We are not called upon to say that the
demand of England was manly and just
Ii was unmanly and unjust. He deuied
that in capturing Mason and Slidell any
insult to the British flag or violation of
international law was intended, and argu-
ed that we had right TO do what was
done on that occasion. England has done
t to HIS a tts,fiereHs wrong in making II de-
mand for Mason and Slideil 1t was inso-
lent in spirit and unjust. England is
treasuring 10 herself wrath against the
day of wrath. She has placed in the
breasts of our people deep sense Of wreng
at time when We cannot respond, but We
shall be watching through the watches OF
the night to strike the blow of righteous
retrlhution.
Dir. Stevens moved the question under
the operation of which documents were
offered to the Committee on Foreign At.
fairs.
The House went into Committee oil
the Whole on bill for payment of sundry
civil expenses.
Mr.. Nallandieham thanked Mr. Thoma.
for the temper of his speech and its states
manlike views. Mr.. Nallandigham the1
entered infa a complication Of his posi-
/, ton, hurting back insinuations that h,
gave aid and comfort 10 rebels
Mr.. Wright cited a garbled report Of
speech Of his He stated that repurte
: was guilty of an unmitigated falsehood
7 who said he had declared in favor of tn
extension Of slavery. He was willing t
4 do all in his power to put down the rebe
9 lion. Mr.. Kelley had voted thanks I
: Capt. Wilkes. The House had thus CT
dorsed the act, but not SO with the Ad
( ministration. He did not wish to see
Q war with England and did not feel humi
'e lated BY the statement Let us settle d,
nestle difficulties and then be prepared fl
future events. But what have we done
= Why are 100000 men in the field ?
Where is the evidence of detcrminatic
that We have exhibited to foreign nations
We are carrying on the war on pea,
~ principles, and the main duty the arm
ry has performed during the last sevt
months has been to prevent desertio
e. from the enemy. This is meancho
u truth Let us show something Of the Wig
On Of war. England does not regard int
n national law but she does regard pow.
u Let her hear the boom Of cannon and i
cd rattle of musketry; let her hear the shol
he Of voices mingled with the gHoans Of I
dying Then there would be no trout
ed as to q foreign war. So long as our arm
Ter are acting merely as placemen to pfeYe
the escape Of thosc who would dig
ow trenches for US, so leHg will foreign i
tons depfeciate our power and to that /
10 tent elevate their pretensions and
An l~>~1 Un ~ 800 - q =. y