Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-04-17

hOOCE OE bEGRESEN IA ~ ES-
The Housa met at II, NJ. aud opened with prayer
by Rev. MIR. Orumley.
DEATH OF GENERAL A SIDNEY JOHNSTON.
Mir Wixcox, of Texas, offered the following joint
resolutions
Mr. Perkins objected but allowed them to be read for
Information:
Resoued That this Congress have learned with feel
ings Of deep oy and graf ude tt the Divine Ruler Of Ma
tons the Of the glorious victory
ResoEred That the death Of General Albert gidney
Johnston commander OF our forces, while leading his
troops to vctTy but temper exutation with
shade sadness that We have lost so abe successful and
gallant officer.
:. FesotUed That in respect to the memory of General
Johnston the Senate co curing Congress adjourn until II
O'Clock tomorrow"
Mr. Foote-I hope there will be 10 objection to the
resolutions being considered at once
Mr. Perkns-I do not oppose the resoutions but
think pay respect we'll by the diliigent dis
charge of cur duties | do think that we do honor
to the memory of the iusrious dead by adjournipg-
think cannot do it more respect than by taking up
and passing military bills.
MIR. Fo0te-We must all feel deeply the extent Of the
great loss have sustained, and cannot be to-day
sufficiently composed 10 perform our duties and think
will but be respectful the memory of deceased
command and to the officers and soldiers who
have persisted this field of battle that should ad
journ We have proper composure, under these
cumstances successfully at the present tlme to prop
ly attend to business, therefore thLk the proposition
of the member from Texas ought to lie adopted. | am
anxious to perform duties, but cannot do
der the influence of this loss aud victory.
MIR. Smith, of Vrgnia-I would suggest to the gen
tleman from Texas that resolution which have pre-
pared would be more appropriate. will read it:
Resored That this House, from respect to the memory
of General A. dney Johnston, and the officers and
who have fallen in The great and glorious victory
ruthless INVADERS do AOw adjourn
Mr.. Smith-This is simple and more appropriate
MIR. WilC0X-l did not suppose that, by any posi-
bility there could be any objection to the resolution
Mr.. Mcqueen, of South Car0na-I would suggest
that this may have occurred in Mississippi and
not in Tennessee.
Mr.. Davis, of Mssiasippi-Thjs battle occurred
within the Tennessee line, about ourneon miles from
Corinth, Miss.
Mr. Moore, Of Kentucky-Mr. Speaker, [ do not
rise for the purpose of OBTAINING the House by any pro-
raCted remarks in support Of the resolutions offered by
the gentleman from Texas Mr. WiIcox) but rather to
express my gratitude that gentleman for presenting
these resolutions trust however, that | may be i'll
dulged in the request that this House will unanimously
adopt the resouuons and bear hu8 their testimony of
regard to the memory OF that great and good man.
Until recent reVerses at Forts DOnes00 and Henry
cloud of darkness had rested his fair name,
shadow had passed along to obscure the bright sunshine
of his natChless military fame. But | must not call
up the memory of the past. DO not wish to refer to
auy ref ctiOLs which may have been ndu ged, either
here elsewhere, towards General Johnston ia refer
to these reVerses but it only remains tor to
ask this tribute to his memory, since he has given the
GVIuCuCG - QtNOlivn W HIS WHICH Lit
soldier can oer He has fallen at the head CT his ar
my, in the midst Of the conflict in the full tide of gIo
rlous, brilliant victory over bis country's foe.
This crowniDg OF devotion to that country which
he had long loved and served too, disS pated every
cloud which mOmenary marred the SpIeniOur Of his
glorious name and his memory passes into history
dlmued by any word OF condemnation, uncIJuded by
any shadow OF TeprOaCh.
Nor indeed, Mr. Speaker, would any cloud Of suspi-
ciOn ever have rested upon his had the circum
ip
been pJ0wu by the country No mau can know the
auts save tnOse OF US who were personally cugnzant
bis condition at that place. have and witnessed
the horrible responsibility pressing upon bis great heart
as, Tep0elDg bis couch OF straw, be cUnempiatel
the uuneasured degree of hope and expectation will
which TIE couutry looked to lin, while be bad army
too small advance AID almost too small to hazard
retreat. But, Mr.. Speaker | happy to wItneS
already demonstrations in this House which mark tht
Unanlmlty with which the resolutions Will be adopted
the unaUimIy with which this House, here in the Gap
ito will Cfer nations gratituoe as tribute of re
spect to the memory of the lustrous dead.
WAle have tell juS lftd, uOder the crcumst tances
in aludng particularly &c eral JOIN st"n would
by means, have it deTstOOd that It less gtaJtu
to the mOly OF all tie tic and soldiers WHO !e Ii
that SAME cUH CT God forbid that The hunblest Sol
der who tel on that glorious Ii. whore victory 81
naly Cro"ned arms, sb uld fan /, BE- rememheIe
with The wdrmest affection aud grauluGe OF eOple
In tins, III all revolutions, the Officers sOIdie
| constitute strength, Upou toer a.
arms and brave hearts 90 We lean WIlh all cur hope
and expectations for ourselves aud our country, An
now, they have, in the dread hour o saugunay
tict laid down their ves and thus borne the highes
evidences Of devotion to their cOuntryS cause, hop
that this House will unanimously adopt the resolutions
and pay that high mark OF respect to those gallant
diers, who nooy fell in defence of their country.
Mr.. JOues-l hope the vote will be taken.
y Mr.. Kenner-I wish 10 know if the business of tn
House will be Immediately suspended by the passage
this resolution?
g The Speaker-It is jJint resolution, aud if it
o concurred in by the Senate the House will immediate
ly adjourn.
Mr.. Kenner-If this business was my own | woul
readily dispense with it but it business, upDrtan
business OF the country, which is Of immediate
ty II tie House. however see fit to postpone it, sha
not oppose it.
Mr. Horatio W. Bruce-Did not the gentema
from Virginia offer a substitute? | in favour
these solutions if the substitute is not offered lib
e officers and men ought to be included.
= The Spcaker-Ihere is 10 substitute pending.
: Mr. Wicox-In ezpre sslng our respect for Genera
Johnston as leader did not intend to cast any refe>
ton those who fell by his side. But thiuk it ez
ceedingy appropriate when in that battle be was lead
er. He was commanding general OF that entire depart
ment, and think this resolution would not interer
with any which may be, and | think will be- of-re
hereafter in memory OF those who fell in this great bat
t te did not intend to reflect any one, and hop
e the resolution will be passed by this body.
The resolution was passed unanimously.
j. Mr.. Barksdae-It was not my pup0Se to submi
to this House any remarks the resolution offered b.
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. WilcOx) in testimen
of the gratitude OF Congress for the gaanry dspaye
in the valley of the Tennessee by the Confederate forces
and of the respect for the memory of the great and good
who chief in command, and who is reported to hav
fallen while leading his column to victory.
The highest duty which people owe TO those VIII
give their lives to their cause is to protect unmpaire