Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-01-07
@g 01l1atagh.
CONGRESSIONAL

the eGPediency of establishing a SIean
Fire Department similar to that of the cit,
of Philadelphia.
Mr. Roscoe Gonkling of New York, ris
ing to question of privilege, called atten.
ton to the fact that on the second day OF
the session, resolution was adopted with
reference to the battle of Balls Bluff. The
resolution proposed no investigation into
any further transaction whatever, it simp.
Is requested the Secretary of War TO ia
form the House whether any steps had bean
taken to ascertain who was responsible for
the disastrous affair at Balls Bluff The
! resolution was hanled to the Adiutan,
General, who submitted it to the Commau-
der-in-Chief. He (Mr. Conklingl was I'M
willing to believe that the COMMANDMENT
Chief had read the resolution, because he
could not impute TO him u design 10 trile
with the House, and return an evasive ans
wer II he did read it he certainly misun-
derstOod its purpOrt. He seemed to have
received the impression that future in
quiry was TO be instituted, and that of n
very general character, and accordingly he
expressed an opinion to the Adjutant which
was reported to the Secretary of War, and
by the latter transmitted TO the House.
The response was an eYasive one, now this
isa disregard of the privileges of the House
which require prompt notice, unless we
consent to our rights being trampIed on.
We should watch with Jealous eve the
right of wholesOme Inquiry.
The enquiry proposed in this resolution
related to n great national calamity-to the
most atrociOus military murder ever COM
United in our histOry-to the most humiI-
lating triumph Of the rebellion-to blum
der SO gross that every man can see, and
none has ever dared to deny or defend il.
Besides the defeat, and the large loss of
arms and munitions of war, there was
sacrifice OF $50 men.
The resolution to which he referred pro-
posed, out OF respect to the memory of
those men, and in Difference to the public
proPricty, to enquire whether the military
authorities have taken any steps whatever
to ascertain who is responsible for the
Slaughter of the sons of New York, Massa-
chusetts and Pennsylvania. 1t was proper
that the House should be informed, and the
same enquiry should be made. Gen. Stone,
who was Mt the time in command, is n mem
Der Of the regular army; Col. Baker was
a volunteer officer. The respective friends
of these gentlemen had raised n question
as to the merits OF the case, involving the
efficiency of regulars and volunteers. He
had no federation for such controversy,
but nn inquiry was absolutely necessary.
Suppose it should turn out that Gen. Stone
was only half way proficient either in SOL
diership or loyalty. Was that reason
why there should not be an investigation
Was that reason why he should be re-
lieved from the responsibility of tie disas.
trous blunder? The man who is to blame
should fall upon his knees and ask pardon.
Ii Baker was responsible. most lamentably
has he suffered. If Stone is responsible,
nj
any other man than upon him.
Mr.. Crittenden, of Ky =, contended that
the House has no power under the Com
stitution to inquire into any matters pure
" military. The army is under tue control
OF the President, who is responsible for its
operations. To interfere with this, there
fore, would lie an attempt to extend our
civil Jurisdiction. The effect would be to
disavOw our entire army. He believed that
the whole country has confidence in Gen.
Mcclellan. We had better weaken our ar
my than weaken that confidence in the |
An army OF hares led |
by q lion, is more to be dreaded than an |
army of lions led by hare. The British |
Parliament had exercised the right of in
4uiry into the conduct of tue Crimehn war, |
but the Secretary Of War had only exer- |
cised discretion allowed to him by tue |
House in the original resolution, and it |
was now too late TO complain of it.
Mr.. LovejOy entered his protest against |
the principles enunciated by the gentleman
from Kentucky, having always believed
that the military should be subordinate to
the civil power. The regular military of
icers are more in the way of an advance /
than any other class.
A discussion ensued between Messrs.
Loyejoy, WyclifTe and others, on the ques-
lion of abolition.
Mr.. Dunn thanked God that Loyejoy was
not, nor likely to be, amembcr of the Cab
met.
Mr.. LOyejOy-That's not SO certain
Laughter.
Mr. Stevens protested against the doc
.rine enunciated by Mr.. Crittenden, shay
ing no foundation in the Constitution. He |
said it appeSfs the border States would ra-
Their see the Constitution and the Union |
perish than that slavery should become ex- |
tinot. We had just given 10000 men to |
Kentucky to support slavery, should the |
alteration or the destruction Of the Union
or slavery be presented.
Mr.. Dunn (resuming) said he would !
make no sacrifice of the Constitution 10
preserve slavery, but did not believe this
Government could be perpetuated by de-
claring the emancipation of slavery as its
object
Sir. Blair, of No., moved that the whole
subject be laid on the table, which was not
agreed to-yeas 81, nays az.
Mr.. Richardson opposed the amendment
to Mr.. Coukling's resolution, that the Sec
rotary OF War also report to the House, if
compatible with the public interests, who
is responsible for the defeat ut Wilson
Greek, near Springfield, and at Lexington
Disagreed to--yeas 40, nays 81.
Coukliugs resolution was then adopted.
Yeas 30, nays g..
Mr.. Wiekliffie odereda resolution which
was adopted iustrurting the Committee on
the Judiciary to enquire into the expedi-
eucy Of providing by law for making inal
the decision Of the Board of Commission
ers, now engaged in deciding upon con-