Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1862-07-23
Meeting of Conservative Mem
bers Of Congress.

was held this afternoon, in accordance with
the invitation as announced yesterday TO
the conservative members, in the Hall of
the House of Representatives, Mr. Crit
tenden; of Kentucky, in the chair, and
MIR. Cox, of Ohio, acting as Secretary.
AT previous meeting, Messrs. Crit
tenden, Nickliffe, Richardson, Biddle and
Cox were appointed a committee to pre-
pare resolutions, and Mr.. Wickliffe now
presented a series for consideration.
Several of these resolutions gave rise to
a discussion principally with reference to
their phraseology, during which Mr..
AIenzies, of Kentucky, said he was not
disposed TO assert that even if the confis-
cation and emancipation bill should be-
come laws, he would have little hope of
speedy termination of the war No,
| his hope was in the people. He would
appeal from the law makers to them.
Mr.. johnson Pa.) said it seemed to
him that the hope of the gentleman from
Kentucky was that the people would re-
pudlate the law-the presumption was
that they will be enforced.
Mr.. Menzies explained his meaning to
by the people or suffered to remain on the
statute books.
MIR. Allen. of Ohio. looked at the eman-
cipatiOn and confiscatiOn scheme with alb
horrence. 1t occurred to him that the
border free States had more TO dread from
the scheme of emancipation than the bor-
der slave States.
Mr. Steel c.. Y. } said that 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 The members who sym
pathized with the object of this meeting
should have an opportunity to participate
in the deliberations
A conversation ensued, involving the
propriety of postpOnement, which was
adversely decided upon, though not by a
formal vote.
Mr.. Richardson Qll) expressed the
opinion that if the authority of the Gov
ernment is to be everywhere restored, ii
must be by saying to the great masses of
the South, "Gou have done wrong-lay
down your arms, and YOU shall not be
touched" He was in favor of saving this
decisively.
Mr.. Biddle Qa- thought they should
be guarded, and not express any particu-
lar means of reconciliation
Mr.. Richardson, in further explanation,
said he was in favor of applying the halter
to the leaders of the rebellion.
Mr.. White (Ohio)wanted the language
of the resolution TO be 30 plain that there
could be no mistake in them.
Mr.. Holman Qnd } said national man
of the country could stand on the Critten-
den resolution heretofore adopted by the
House as to the objects and purposes of
the war better than on any other. The
time for offering an amnesty has not yet
come. When the authority of the Gov
ernment is re-establishcd everywhere, then
we should adopt a ma. .na!imous and lib
eral policy toward those who have not
been leaders in the rebellion.
Mr. Allen (Ohio) said he was sick and
tired of hearing of the confiscation of
property, when he saw acts stimulated by
personal a grandizement. and a Major
General Withdrawing from his command
because he thought he did not occupy as
high position as he deserved. He con-
fessed that he could discover no indica-
tions of speedy close of the war.-He
incidentally said that the leaders should
suffer the extreme penalties of the law.
Mr.. Mallory (Ky. wanted the resolu-
ton expressed in plain terms He was
opposed to generalities.
Mr.. Phelps (N1o. after adverting to the
resolution declaring that such punishment
should be inflicted upon such of the guilty
| leaders as will satisfy public justice, etc,
suggested an amendment, that our Gov
ernment should adopt such wise measures
of clemency rs will tend TO bring back a
cordial reconciliation and peace TO the
| whole country. This was agreed to.
Mr.. Hall (Mo.) believed that if the alb
! olitionists should succeed in their confis-
cation and emancipation schemes, they
would produce a serious embarrassment in
the prosecution of the war; but he :hould
not cease TO struggle for the maintenance
of the Constitution, and to trust in conser-
vative influences upon the Judiciary.
Mr.. Holman Qnd. thought that if these
schemes Were not rebuked, there would
be but little hope for the country.
Mr. Rollins (Mo.) was ready TO vote
for and sign the resolutions now. Al
though this was nct party meeting, We
are, he said, laying the foundation of al
organization which is TO exert great