Litchfield enquirer., 1862-06-19
Alisfella,1p.
SPEECH OF HON. GEO. c. WOODRUFF,

SPEECH OF HON. GEO. c. WOODRUFF M Me House ct Repre- sentatires Moy 29th, 1862.
 MR. CHAIRMAN, do not propose to weary the patience of this committee by an elaborate argu- ment. do not intend an extended repetition of that which has been expressed by others far bet ter than can be done by me. But perhaps jus tice to myself and my constituents, requires that I should briefly declare the principles by which have been and shall continue to be actuated upon the floor of this House. know that the votes cast by members go to make up their record; but it so happens that such votes as have felt would not rather than what would.
 It was my opinion, sir, and 1 believe it was the opinion of a vast majority of those whom have the honor to represent. that if the conciliatory measures proposed in the winter of 1861 by g venerable patriot now a member of this House. had been adopted, neither this most wicked re bcliion nor this lamentahle civil war would have been initiated our beautiful fields would not have been devastated our treasure not so lav- ishly expended; the best blood of our nation nev- CT so prufuscly poured out nor would mourning nor anguish nor lameutation nor the agonizing cry ofthe bcreayed have so pervaded our land On thls point l aware that men differed in opinion. A time will come when a fearful ac- count must be rendered by those w,Iu Jus,1y responsible for the present state ot affairs. But this is not the time to take that account.
 Nothing did, nothing could justify the unpro- voked and wanton attack made by armed rebels on Fort Sumter; and from that memorable day, in April, 1861, when that attack was made, and from the day when our felow-cltizens, hastening at the call of the President to defend this capitol. were butchcred in the streets of Baltimore, the hearts of all true patriots have beat in unison, and with one voice. have proclaimed that this re- bcllion, the most unprovoked and unjust the world ever saw, against the most benefce nt Gov ernment ever organized by man, must and at all events should be suppressed, no matter at what necessary expense of blood and treasure. In that sentiment I need not say heartily concur.
 Since this rebellion has assumed its vast pro- portions, would sustain the President in carry ing on this to its successful termination with all ncedful means. would by neither word nor deed embarrass him in the exercise of any law full measure he may think proper to adopt for that purpose. As Democrat opposed to his election, would be even more careful on these points. But, sir, while I would have the rebels compelled to submit internationally, would not be vindictive. cannot forget that they too are Americans, that they are our brethren; that they and we are children of the samc parents, ! and the moment it appeared that reason was re-
 turning, every sword should be pointed towards the earth, and every bayonct towards heaven.
 | T believe their leaders are inexcusably guilty, but the masses deluded; believe the cause ioi of the rebellion to be the waning political power ofthe South, and those who, to promote theil selfish ends, have rushed their followers into re- l bellion should not escape merited punishment l And as their guilt is greater than that contem- plated by our statutes, would, as to the leaders extend the punishment But cannot support the confscation and emancipation bills which ! have been reported by the select committee, be- cause believe them inexpedient, unjust, and unconstitutional. Inexpedient, not only because unjust and unconstitutional, but because, in view of their extent, they are calculated to strengthen the. rebellion; to unite and consolidate the peo I pleiof the South; to aggravate their hostility
 and giving them the energy of despair, prevent
 their return to loyalty to Government from
 which they have nothing to hope, and from whose mercy, even, they are excluded. And Icanno
 but say in this connection that the advocates O these extreme measures seem to me to be givips aid to the rebels, and to be pursuing cours' better calculated to destroy the Union than tha of the rebels themselves. Y
 r Ideem these bills unjust. because large pro portion of those embraced therein have never ta
 ken up arms against us; others have been forced or fraudulently persuaded into rebellion, and th
 punishment of death is sufficient for those wh'
 have been thus misled. It is also barbarous ant
 unheard of among modern civilized nations t strip the wives and innocent children ofeyen thu guilty, not only ofthe roof which shelters them but also of their last bed and their last crust.
 oeem these bills unconstitutional, because
 cannot md in our charter the clause which au thorizes us to pass them. Gentlemen talk O
 the war power. understand by this simply tn,
 power of the strong over the weak, the powe
 of might over right Beyond this I do not un
 derstand it. and as I believe that outside of tn
 Constitution this Congress has no power, an that the powers conferred by the Constitutio are sufficient for the emergency, have fel bound by my oath to vote against these bills .I vote against them because the partie against whom they are aimed are thereby d. pFived of "the right of trial by jury" becaus they are not necessarily ( to be informed of th mature and cause of the accusation," nor al they ito be confronted with tho witnesse lagainst them. Because "excessive fines sl } impossedr and cruel and unusual punishment are inflicted" not on the guilty alone, but exte'
 ding also to the innocent. and because they al i. in the nature of bill of attainder," infiictln t punishment without any conviction in the ord
 nary course of judicial proceedings, and ther
 'foFs forbidden by the Constitution,