Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-30
The "Conservativev Caucus.

The conservatives Caucus.
WASHINGTON, June ga meeting was
held this afternoon in accordance with the in
vitation as announced yesterday, of the con-
sentative members of congress in the hall of
representatives, Hon. John j. Crittenden of
Kentucky in the chair, and Mr.. Cox of Ohio
acting as secretary. At the previous meeting
Messrs. Crittenden, Wickliffe, Richardson,
Biddle and Cox, were appointed a committee
to prepare resolutions, and Mr.. Wickliffe
now presented a series for the consideration
of the meeting. Several of these resolutions
gave rise to discussion, principally with refer
ence to their phraseology, during which Mr..
Menzies of Kentucky said that he was not
disposed to assert even if the confscatiOn and
emancipation bills should become laws, that
he would have little hope of speedy termi-
nation of the war. No, his hope was in the
people, to whom in such case he would ap-
peal from the law makers. Mr.. johnson of
Pennsylvania said it appeared to him that the
hope of the gentleman from Kentucky was
that the people would repudiate the laws, but
if such laws shall be passed, the presumption
was that they will be enforced.
Mr.. Menzies explained to the elect that his
meaning was that they would not be approved
by the people or suffered to remain on the
statute books. Mr.. Allen of Ohio looked on
the emancipation and contiscation schemes
with adherence. 1t occurred to him that Dor
der free states had more to dread from the
scheme of emancipation than the border slave
states.
Mr.. Steele of New York said it was not
generally known that this meeting would take
place to-day, and as the resolutions were of a
very important character he suggested that
their further consideration be postponed.
Members who sympathized with the object of
this meeting should have an opportunity of
participation in these deliberations.
A conversation then ensued involving the
propriety of postponement, which was adj
versely decided, though not by formal vote
Mr.. Richardson of Illinois expressed the
opinion that if the authority of the govern
ment is every where to be restored it must be
by saying to the great masses at the south ::
'You have done wrong lay down your arms
and you shall not be touched" He was in
favor of saying this decisively.
Mr.. Bonnell Of Pa, thought they should
be guarded and not express any particular
means of reconciliation. Mr.. Richardson in
further explanation said he was in favor of
applying the halter to the leaders Of the re-
bellion. Mr. White of Ohio wanted the Ian
guage of the resolutions so plain that there
could be no mistake.
Mr.. Holman of Indiana said he was ma
tional man. The country could stand on the
Crittenden resolution heretofore adopted by
the house as to the object and purposes of
war better than others. The time for offering
an amnesty has not yet come. When the au-
thority of the government is re-established
everywhere then we should adopt magnani-
nous and liberal policy toward those who
have not been leaders in the rebellion.
Mr.. Allen of Ohio was sick and tired of
hearing about confiscating property. When
he saw acts stimulated by personal aggran-
diZement committed, and a major general
Withdrawing from his command because he
thought he did not occupy as high position
as he deserved, he confessed that he discov
cred no indications of speedy close of the
war; He incidentally said that the leaders of
the rebellion should suffer the extreme pen
alties of the law.
Mr.. Mallory of Kentucky wanted the reso-
buttons expressed in plain terms. He was
opposed to generalities.
Mr.. Phelps Of Missouri, after adverting to
a resolution declaring ''that such punishment
should be inflicted upon such of the guilty
leaders as will satisfy public justice" ETC.,
suggested as an amendment ''that our gov
eminent should adopt such wise measures of
clemency as will tend to bring back a cordial
reconciliation and peace to the whole coun-
try" This was agreed to.
Mr.. Hall of Missouri believed that if the
abolitionists should succeed in their contisca-
ton and emancipation schemes, they would
produce serious embarrassments in the pros
ecution of the war, but he should not cease to
struggle for the maintenance Of the constitu-
ton, and to trust in conservative influences
and upon the judiciary.
Mr.. Holman thought if these schemes were
not rebuked there would be but little hope for
the country.
Mr.. Rollins of Missouri was ready to vote
for and sign the resolutions now. Although
this was not party meeting, we are, he said,
laying the foundation of an organization
which is to exert great moral and political in
fiuence upon the country.
Mr.. Foulke Of Illinois regarded this as one
OF the most important meetings ever held
here, for reasons similar to those suggested by
the gentleman who had preceded him.
Inc resolutions were then all adopted in an
amended FORM as follows =
Feeling the great weight of our responsible
ty as members of congress, we have met in
no party spirit nor for any party purpose. but
for the purpose of celebrating and consulting
together how we may best perform our con-
gressional duties in the present great and
peri0uS crisis OF our cOuntry's fate, and we
have come to the following conclusion =
'lst, Resolved, that the constitution, union
and laws must be preserved and maintained in
| all their proper and rightful supremacy,-that
| the rebellion now in arms against them must be
suppressed and put down, and that it is our
| duty to vote for all measures necessary and
proper to that end.
'i2nd, Resolved, that the true interest of the
country, as well as the dictates of humanity,
require that no more war or acts Of war should
be prosecuted or done than are necessary and
proper for prompt and complete suppression
! of rebellion.
ed Resolved, that the states are compo-
nent and essential parts Of the union, bound
together inseparably by the constitution OF the
United States, that none Of them can cease
to exist as such so long as that constitution
survives, and that it is the exclusive sphere
and duty of the states to order and direct their
own domestic affairs. While the rebellion
therefore has not annulled or destroyed the
constitution or the relations Of the so-called
"seceding states" to the federal government
neither has it Invested these states Of any
rights or powers, municipal or otherwise
! properly belonging to them us members Of the
: federal union. The actual exercise of these