The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-01-17
Congressional.

10 express his dissatisfaction at the
course pursued by the Government
in delivering Mason and Slidell. re.
marking that in less than three
months VIC would be at war with
Great Britain or else we will tamely
submit 20 the recognition OF the
Southern Confederacy and the
breaking mp of the blockade.
Mr.. Glutchins replied that his col.
league had heretofore been opposed
TO the coercion o. the South, while
now he is against the delivering up
OF Mason and Slidcll. The position
Of his colleague was Liable to the
suspicion that his helligerent atti.
tnde was one which would benefit
the rebels by getting mp n war he
tween England and the United
States. A war which the South de.
sired with that view.
Mr.. Thomas, Of Masaoc ochuset,s.
argued to chow the Justification of
the capture Of Mason and Slidell.--
England did us grevious wrong in
making the demand, which was m,
iust and insolent in spirit. She has
done that which has implanted in
the American breast sense OF
wrong which will await the oppoi
tnni,y to strike the blow of retribu-
tive Justice.
The message and documents were
referred to the Committee on For.
eign Relations.
Mr.. Ilutchins said he may have
rnisunderstood his colleague. At
all events, wien aud where had his
colleague, from the commencement
of this rebellion, ever voted for a
measure for subdning the rebellion
and to establish tho authority of the
United States. The records OF the
House scarcely show vote OF
speech # his colleague in which he
had not opposed the war. ever since
its commencement. He believed
that Was fair statement of the po
sition of his colleague, and now he
would have held on to Messrs. Ma
son tnd Slidell, in order that it
might result in war with Great
Britain for the benefit of the rebels.
Mr.. Thomas, OF Massachusetts.
said this question involved points of
law and some nicely 1t was too
mach to assume that THE country
coull take another war on iia han's,
and we must therefore wait. We
are not called on 10 say that the de-.
mand OF En!l nj WIS manly an,i
Just. 1t was unmanly and unjust.
IL" denied that IN capturing Mason
and Slidell An insult Ia the British
flag and violation OF international
law WAS intended. and argued that
We hal right to do what WAS done
on that occasion.
Mr.. Thomas cOntinued-England
has done us gr,evous wrong in
making "A demand for Mason and
SIidell. IL was insolent in spirit
ami unjust. England is treasnripg
to herself wrath AZ ,inst the day o.
wrath. Size has placed in the
breast. Of our people deep sense of
wrong. at time when we cannot
respond; bnt we shall he watching
through the watches OF the night, to
strike blow Of righteous retribu-
ton.
MIR. Stevens moved the question
unter the operation of which the
documents were referred to the Com
miftee on Foreign Aft ira.
The House went into Committee
Of the Whole on the bill for the pay
mont Of snndry civil expenses.
Mr.. Vallandigham thanked Mr..
Thomas for the temper OF his speech
and its statesmanlikc views. Mr..
Vallaudighan then entered into an
explanation OF his position -hurling
back insinuations that he gave aid
and conf,rt TO the rebels
Mr.. Wright corrected a garbled
report ot late speech Of his. lie
said that the R4por'er was guilty OF
m unmitigatcd falsehood who said
he had declared IN favor OF the ex
tension OF slavery. He was willing
to do all in his power to put down
the rebellion.
Mr., Kelly had voted thanks TO
Captain Wilkes. The House had
thus endorsed the act, but not 40
with the administration. Ile did
not wish TO see war with England
AMI did rot feel hnnilated by the
settlement. LIE. us settle our do
mestic difficulties and then he pre-
pared for future events. Bnt what
have we done? Whv are 600 900
men in TIC field! Where is the ev-
idencc Of determined war that we
have exhibited to foreign na,ions2 -
We are carrying on the war on
peace principles and the main duty
the army has performed during the
last seven months, has been to pre-
vent dcsertiOns IRON the enemy -
This is melancholy truth. Let us
show something Of the vigor of war
England does not regard information
al law, but shc does regard power.
Let her hear the boom of cannon
and the rattle Of musketry. Let hef
hear the shonts Oi victories blending
with the groans Of the dying--theu
there would he no trouble aa In n