The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-08-06
IS Indemnity for the Past and Security
for the Future"

may 20, lcOZs
The House having under consideration the bills
to coniscate the property and free from seryltude
the slaves of rebels
Mr.. ASHLEY said
Mr.. SPEAKER: II by anything may say to-
night shall contribute thought that will facili-
tate the passage of either Of the bills before TIE,
/ shall have discharged my duty to my constitu-
ents and the country. It was not my purpose,
MrSpeaker, until this afternoon to speak on this
subject at all, and only propose to do so now
briefly. intend to support the bills reported
by the select committee on confiscation, and
shall vote and urge the friends of these measures
to vote against all amendments and substitutes
now offered, or which may be offered, unless they
are mere verbal amendments, or such ma
jorty of the committee are willing to accept. l
shall do this pr .ctical man, earnestly desr.
ing the enactment of The most effective confisca-
ton bills. and not because the bills reported by
the special committee are, in my Judgment, the
best that could be framed, but because they are
the best which, under all the circumstances, we
can promptly get during this Congress ',if, indeed,
we can pass any practical coufscltion measure
at all The discussion of the past week has re-
vealed the fact, unexpected to me, and doubt
not unexpected to the country, that large
number if not majority, of the members of
this House are opposed to any act of con6scston
and though we shall secure the votes of some
who within a week have been regarded as hostile
to all forms of conf-cation, yet fear the un-
usual number of abseutees from this side Of the
| House will secure the defeat of one if not both
these bills.
coNFIscATIoN AND EMANCIPATION THE ONLY HOPE
OF THE REPUBLIC,
Mr.. Speaker, in my Judgment, an enduring
peace can be secured ouly by couquering the
rebels, coniiscating their property, and emanci-
pating their slaves. As punishment for traitors
in arms against the Government, and an act
ofsimpe justice to the loyal citizens Of all sec
tons, we should pass without further delay both
these bills. We should pass them as war meas
ures, to punish rebels, and intimidate all who
may be disposed to give them aid and comfort
Had these measures been passed at the extra ses
sion in July last believe they would have saved
us thousands of valuable lives, and millions o
HlOHel, ny euduHHR US W teIininale tue war a.
least year earlier than it can now be closed.
do not intend, Mr. Speaker, at this late
hour Of the evening to enter into an elsborst,
discussion, either of the constitutionay o.
practcability of these measures. The constitu
tionaity of all the propositions before US has beel
ably and eloquently discussed in the othe
branch of Congress, and by some of the ables
lawyers on this floor, and shall not take up tn,
time of the House to night by an elaborate dis
, cussion of what has been so well and thorough.
/, done already.
AN HONORABLE AND ENDURING PEACE CANNOT BE
SECURED ny COMPROMISE.
Mr.. Sneaker this rebellion il the most ause
A les. unprovoked, and WICKED which the histor,
\ OF the wQrld records, and no PUNISHMENT, how
: ever severe, that may be Visited upon the head
Of the leaders by this Government, can be unjust
The couspirators having forced the country int,
civil war, have left the alternative CT surrer
derng or crushing it. The voice of the peopl
- demands that il shall be crushed and not compro
missed. The legitimate end of all war is the es
o tsblishment of Justice and Pc zee, and repet
:. what said on another occsson, THAT no peac
.. can be honorable and enduring which is mad
over the PROSTATE form of Justice" That wa
II is a calamity, especia ly civil war such no
n unhappiy desolates our country, all concede
yet there are evils greater than civil war. tt
il loss of liberty, of national honor or the dismen
berment of Cur territory, are greater evils tha
IN war. Sir, l know that this war has brought
l.;
r will not end with the life of this generation.
- will not attempt to paint its horrors. Our bra'
soldiers yielding up their lives on every bait
Geld, coryesrating' the soil which treason h
polluted, with their blood. Their peaceful no
thern hemas are made d soltie, and beresve
and sorrow have entered their ouGe hapl
dwellings. They are dying thas the Union
our fathers may survive and constitutional be
IA " be preserved. For these great saoriGc
what encouragement have the nothern peop
hadf The treatment of our volunteers, so 1
as have been able to witness It iu the army
, " the Potomac during the past winter, has h
ma but few parallels in any country. While MAJ
Of their officers, careless OF their wants or th'
=, necessities, have lounged about hotels and 9th
pisces in this city, their patriotism and hsroii
ell have been severely tested by a parient end
~ snce OF privsIions, exposure, and neglect, aim,
without murmur. Sir, their conduct and tn
e4smp deserve tue praise and the thanks
She nation. But the intelligent. American vol,
teer soldier wants to know for what he is Ag
ing aud II it be for a principle worth dying {
~ whether. If he is victorious, that principle 81
nil triumph. Thus far he has had but little enc0
49, agement OF this character TO cheer and stimuli
him in his dreary camp life, on his tedi,
marches, or in the din of battle. On the @
her trary, he has had much to discourage him q
She his constant fear by day and by night has be-
p that at last, after all his sacrifices, politics.
ed will step in and dictate compromise with
rebels which will exempt them from all puni
INV ment 70, theis crimes, leave them in uudispu
possession of all their property, and thus Offe
I've premium to rebellion aud treason.
he. MIsTAKES POLICY OF rnE GOVERNMENT IOWA
so REBELS
hip The demoralizing policy caused by treat
ck- the rebels an the property of rebels as II q
were loyal citizens is everywhere marked amt
our soldiers. The whole military power is u
you aud has been used, by the army of the Potion
r. to protect the property of notorious rebels '
ked have been guilty OF the most savage barbari
r. upon unotiending Union men because of Il
ked devotion to the Government. This policy
r. forced men who otherwise would have