The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-02-19

Cowan was misrepresenting the will and
wishes of his constituents of PennsylyaDa i,7
pursuing a course of quibbling and special
pleading in reference to this subject, l say
that Pennsylvania ought to be heard in the.I
National councils: If there is any State in
this Union that deserves to be heard there. |
She has thrown herself into the breach, aQd
been the first to defend the capital and will
be the first to turn out every dollar and every
man that she has, for the defence of the gov
erp,nent-I say that when Pennsylvania has
over one hundred thousand brave men now
living in camp for the defence of the Capitol,
she ought TO have a word in reference to the
miserable traitors who are occupying repre-
sentative seats and receiving large salaries
from the public treasury, and who from the
public treasury, and who from the commence
ment of this rebellion have been opposing,
crippling, and obstructing the course of Leg
islation and of the administration-such a
man is Jesse ID Bright; and Pennsylvania has
the right to say whether her hundred thou
sand troops shall be jeopardized as ], in my
humble judgment, believe they have been by
the secret stealthy operations of this man
Jesse D. Bright. Why, Mr.. Speaker, if there
has been anything dnring this rebellion that
has crippled and endangered the cause of our
W
of action eriBced by that character of men.
They are set Of mean. dirty, sneaking cow
ards in council with the government so that
they may convey intelligence to the lines of
the enemy upon all occasions. This is not
conjecture; it is patent fact, demonstrated
time and again, that when move was in
contemplation by our troops upon this or that
roint, we have found in almost every instance
the enemy was possessed CT full information
upon that subject and have accordingly been
prepared for us. But the question has always
been where is the traitor Now, ] repeat
the evidence is sufficient to satisfy me that
Jesse ID. Bright is that traitor, though he is
not alone in his infamous practices. Peace
principles have been practiced long enough
there should and must be more rigid meas
ures adopted and a sterner principle enforced
with reference to these scoundrels, than has
heretofore existed; else no one can tell when
or where this rebellion is TO end. Ii IS high
time that some such decision should be made,
and it is burning shame that a common
wealth like Pennsylvania, which has turned
out her men and her money to the extent she
has-that her Legislature cannot here agree
upon proposition of this kind and declare
to the Senators of the United States what our
wishes and sentiments are upon this and all
other subjects of vital interest. There is
something peculiar about the facts if such an
expression is not made
When our resolution went over to the other
branch, we found gentleman rising in his
place there and offering this amendment-fsr
what purpose? For the purpose of conveying
to Edgar Cowan the voice of Pennsylvania in
Il decisive manner? Not at all; but he puts
in thing that is mere verbiage, a mere apol-
ogy for Mr.. Cowan, and which covers the po-
sition of that Senator entirely in the course
he is pursuing. it expressly says: "ifyou do
not believe so and so"-well now who knows
whether he believes it or not ?-or "if you do
not come to such and such conclusions from
such and such premises, then you need not
vote for his expulsion" 1t does not give our
opinion whatever upon the character Of Jesse
d. Bright-not at all! Although we have
the evidence here, and all the evidence upon
the subject, we are mincing up the matter
and making mere plaything and nonsense
of it, instead of saying, like men, we have the
evidence, and we are satisfied that Jesse ID. .
Bright is an improper man to occupy seat
in the councils of the nation, and we instruct
you peremptorily to vote for his expulsion.
Mr. Speaker shall vote here for no other
proposition; want no lodging or shutting
whatever-only the proposition of the Senate,
which was passed on last Thursday ad
here to that.