Newbern weekly progress., 1862-09-27
The Aggressive PoIlcy.


We
Important Debate In the Rebel Congress.
From the Richmond Examiner, Sept. 1871
In the Rebel House of Representatives on the
18th September, Mr.. Hilton, Of Florida, from
the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom
was referred the message Of the President com.
municating the dispatches from General Lee
relative to the late victories, and the resolutions
Of yesterday in relation 10 the movement Of our
armies across the Potomac, reported the fol-
lowing substitute for said resolution -
Resolved, That the thanks OF Congress and
Of the country are eminently due and are
hereby rendered to General Robert Il. Lee and
the officers and men of his command for their
late brilliant Victories eliminating in The sig
nal defeat of the combined forces of tho enemy
in the second great battle Of Manassas.
Resolved, That Congress has heard with pro-
found satisfaction of the triumphant crossing
Of the Potomac by our victorious army, and
assured OF the wisdom Of that mastery move
ment, reposes with entire confidence on the
distinguished skill Of our commanding general,
and the yalor of his troops to achieve, under
favor Of the Great Ruler of nations, new tri.
umphs, relieve oppressed Maryland, and ad.
vance our standards into the territory Of the
enemy.
Resolved, That the President bo requested
to communicate tho foregoing resolutions to
General Lee and the officers aud men under bis
command.
Mr.. Hilton advocated the immediate passage
of the resolutions.
Mr.. Lyons aIOved to amend the second reso-
luton by ssriking out all after the words, dis.
tngaished skull "" and ,iMsering in lieu there.
VI, 1.-The commanding general and the valor Of
his troops to relieve oppressed Maryland and,
under favor of the Great Ruler OF nations,
achieve new triumphs over the enemy" He
approved the movements Of our armies thus
far, and thought resolution of thanks emf
nently proper, but if it were passed with the
words prop sed to be strlken out, 1t would be
an invitation from Congress 10 advance into
the enemy's country, and that was a responsi.
bility which be, Tor one, was not prepared 10
assume
Mr.. Miles, Of South Carolina, was somewhat
surprised to hear sentiment indicating beal!a.
ton irsm the gentleman who had just taken
his seat. The press throughout the country
had clamored for an onward movement, and
where, er the people assembled We had always
heard the same sentlm Mt expressed-tbat we
were pursuinga mistaken policy in waiting for
the enemy to advancs, and that our armies
should advance and pluck victory upon the
enenlys soil After We had commenced this
aggressive policy, and our armies we're across
the borders, We are told by the gentleman from
Virginia that We ought to hesitate.
Mr.. Lyons said the gentleman had mistaken
HI, la I'D ,,loi,lv hat h..
proved Of General Lees crossing the Potomac
and threatening Maryland but al that point,
with his present information, he was constrain
cd 10 stop-he could not take the responsibility
Of advising an advance into Pennsylvania
Mr.. Miles still differed with the gentlemen
from Virginia. What he meant by an aggres
sire par was 10 carry the war into the enemy'
eouatry, and ttis was mhat the resolutions said
They had been carefully and deliberately
weighed in the committee, and they wert
expressive Of the unanimous sentiment of tb,
gentlemen who composed it. What the peopl
ranted Wds an agyrsssirG Dar. While lht
enemy had oyerrun our territory and reduced
our people TO condition Of bondage withou
parallel in the history Of warfare, were we t
hesitate to retallate upon themy He Csult
not believe In any such sentiment. The reso
luton, in his opinion, could ro be construed
as oil instruction to our general; but, wheI
we have their assurance that they viii bea
our standards onward, and will relieve oppress
I'd Maryland, shall we hesitate because, for
soolh, they may not be able to carry out tn,
planY The resolutions were intended to en-
courage our President, our generals aud ou
armies. lie wished every branch Of govern
mcnt to understand that this Congress doe
rot think the war has been hitherto waget
upon mode best calculated to bring it to
speedy close. lie was opposed to Congress
assuming the conduct Of the war. but he hope,
the people would understand that we do pro
pose 10 wage an offensive warfare.
Mr.. Lyons asked f the gentleman believe,
4 that our army, great and glor'1us as ii is
could safely 60 into the hearl Of the North.
Mr.. Miles replied that he did. lie woul
endorse the language OF 4 well known gentle
man girs Jackson half four present army
and he could drioe tho whole 100000 Of III
North before him. Mr.. Niles closed by en-
2 while our armies were flushed with success
: and while they were veteran troops, accustom
. ed to the roar Of battle.
o MT. C0nrnu OF Louisiana, was IN iaV0r
!. the amendment He viewed the resolution
as on instruction to our armies. and though
a our President aud generals better quahtie,
than Congress TO conduct the war. 1t was no
a war Of conquest. but war for independence
:. every body agreed in that, and hence there wa
no difference IN opinion as to the policy of th
i, war The mode Of conducting it ought to b
;. lett alone to he Executive, without interfel
|. ence from Congress or elsewhere. He believe
1 that the conduct Of the war up to this moinel
!, had been what it ought to have been.
8 Mr.. Aver, of South Carolina, was in favor
y the aggressive policy. He would say to tn
Executive, we desire that the enemy's countr
:, shall be invaded, and leave it 10 him to judy
), Of It's expedlency. He would have our armit
r Go with banner, brand and bow,
y As fOenan meets his mortal foe.
:, He would not assume to speak for all but q
!, far as his constituents wore concerned he kne
!. this to be the prevairing sentiment.
d Mr.. Foote moved the previous question
e which was sustained.
It Mr.. Goode, Of Virginia, demanded the yaa
J and nays ON the motion to strike out and il
J sert.
The roll was then called, and Mr.. Lyon
!, = amendment was defeated by the followiu
,r vote:-Yeas, 20; nays, 81.
,r The substitute Of the committee was the
1t agreed to, and the question recurring upon Il
1t passage Of the resolutions,