Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-10-17
Threat of Retaliation and Debate
Thereon in the Rebel Senate.

In the rebel senate on the 29lh of Sci
TENDER, Mr.. Semmes of Louisiana sui
mitted the following joint resolution:
Resolved by the Congress of the Cor
federate States, that the Proclamation {
President Lincoln, President of the Uni
ted States of America, issued al the cit,
of Washington, in the year 1862, where
in he declares that on the first day o
January, A. d., 1868, all persons held il
slavery within any state, or designated
parts OF state whereof the people shall
be in rebellion against the United States
shall! be thenceforth and forever free" i.
leveled against the citizens Of the Con
federate States, and as such is a great
violation Of fhe usages of civilized war
fare, an outrage on the rights of private
property, and an invitation to an atrocious
servile war, and therefore should be held
UP w ihC NAttldtIOIl VI Iuduhlllu, anu
counteracted by such severe rctaiatory
measures as in the judgment OF the pre-
sident may be best calculated to secure
its withdrawal or arrest its execution.
MIR. Semmes of Louisiana, said that
the resolution had not been drawn With
out reflection. The question Of retalia-
ton was exclusively an executive one, to
be regulated by circumstances. But it
was pro er that the legislative depart
ment Of the government should express
its approval Of the retaliation contempla.
ted by the resolution.
Mr.. Clark OF Missouri, said the reso.
luton did not 60 far enough. He tho't
the president should be authorized i'm.
mediately to proclaim that every person
found in arms against the Confederate
government and its institutions, on our
soil, should be put 10 death, and that ev-
cry citizen o! the conIederacy be pro-
claimed soldier, for the time being, to
execute the proclamation upon the per-
sons of every murderer, thief and scoun-
drel endorsed and acting under the proc
iamation of Lincoln. Our people have
been murdered, our property destroyed,
and now this last and atrocous measure
is proclaimed. 1t is now matter of life
ana death. Let us meet the emergency.
The resolution was not sufficient lie
moved its reference to special commit
zee.
Mr.. PheIan of Mississippi, said that he
lad always been in favor of conducting
he war under the " black flag" Ifthat
lag had been raised at Manassas a year
'go, the war ere now would have been
;nded.
Mr.. Henry of Tennessee, did not think
he resolution strong enough The time !
lad arrived when we should declare r
var OF determination upon every foe that
uts his foot upon our soil, no matter what
nay be the bloodshed it may cause We r
hould meet a foe Of the character that
nenaces us under the black flag, and nei- |
her ask nor receive quarter from this ii
ay henceforward. In Europe armies "
ave been known TO pause when they O
new no quarter was to lie given; off, II
ers have deserted their commands when
onscious of the fate that would meet
hem il they fell into the hands of the
nemy whose territory they were inva-
ing. The way was to declare war o.
and, his life for it, we
'ould not be troubled with invasion here
fter. {
Mr.. Phelan said the Introduction Of
ie resolution indicated the dawn of
o''|' Po'lNg WIN lGlCrtHCt 10 Tue tuturD
eience of our country. am now and
yer have been in favor Of fighting this
'ntest under the black flag. If i; had %
cen erected over The plains of Manassas
ne year ago, in my opinion this war Il
ould ere this have been ended. Imove a.
be made the special order OF the day I, l.,
r twelve O'Clock tomorrow.
Mr.. Yancey of Alabama, moved that
Re pending resolution, together with the
solutions submitted ~ him some Time Sn
nee relative to retaliation, &c, be refer of
d TO select committee of three, and Ut
made the special order for Wednes-
y next.
Mr.. Burnett of Kentucky, moved that 7
of said resolutions be referred to the l
" WV far
mnittee on the judiciary. This was oy,
reed to. -,
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