The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-01-15
WASHINGTON. Jan,

WASHINGTON, Jan, 8.
SENATE-Mr. Nesmith presented the |
credentials of Hon Benjamin Stark, who |
was appointed Senator to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Senator Baker
Mr. Fsssenden moved that the admins
tration Of the oath be suspended for the pres
ent and the credentials Of Mr.. Stark, to-
gether with certain papers which he held in
his (Fessenden's) hands, be referred to the |
Judiciary committee.
The paperS were well attested by many o.
the most respectable portions OF the inhabi |
tsnts OF Portland. The papers state Mr.. |
Stark Is unders'o ood to be an open and avow
ed secessionist; that he defends the course oi
the South, and had given utterance to state |
rnents at war with the Government, such as
approving the attack On Fort Sum'sr, and |
declaring that in ease OF war he would sell |
his property, go South and fight for the reb |
els.
He (Fessenden) has examined the papers
with deliberation, and therefore made the
motion.
Mr.. Bright said that theEe was no prece
dent Tor such motion. tie never knew off
case where Senator had been refused the
oath. He thought that the Senator had bet
ter be sworn, and then let the Senate take
cognizsnce of the latter properly. Never he'd
baser talsehoods been offered than those in
regard to himself, which had been sent to
the Senate here. He had in his pocket copy
OF the N. Y. Herald, where 1t was stated that
be (Bright) was Brigadier General in the
rebel army.
Mr.. Fessenden said it was true there was
not precedent, but the state of the country
was without precedent, and we had now TO
make precedents, The papers in reference
to Mr. Stark were we'll attested by his neigh
bors and townSmen.
Mr. Bayard thought the case had better go
over until to- morrow, that Senators might
have time to look into it.
Mr. Trunbull said the case was not with
out precedent, and referred to the case OF Mr..
Lauman of Conn, where the credentials
were referred, and also to the case Of Mr..
Griswold oi Ohio, where the credentials
were also referred.
Mr.. Sumner said the case was unpreceden
ted; the Senate is now examining the loyalty
of certain members.
MIR. Bavard said that there were men IN
the Senate in 1872 who were opposed to the
war with Great Britain and to the action OF
Government.
Mr.. Bright said that be supposed that he
was referred to by the Senator from Massa-
,chusetts (Mi. Sumner); al any rate he was in
the category.
He (Bright) was glad the Senate was ex-
amning, and so far as he was concerned he
was emily sorry that they were SO slow; he
was ANXIOUS for result.
Mr.. Lane Of Indiana thought that "suffi
At L.. klxw. ..f.
When other cases come up the Ssnate will
be ready to vote. There could be no diff
ference of opinion in regard to the pres
ent war by any patriot.
The credentials of Mr.. Stark and the pa
pers handed in by Mr.. Fessenden, were ther
laid on the table for the present
Mr.. Wilson presented petition from citi
zens OF Pennsylvania, that John C.'Fremon
be appointed Lieutenant General.
Mr.. Wilson also presented petition in ref
erence to Gen McKinstry, representing tina
he was confined in prison closely, in violation
of the rules Of war.
HOUSE,-Mr. ConkliDg, rising to ques
tion Of privilege, called attention to the fac
that on the second day of the session reso
luton was adopted with reference to the bat
tie OF Balls Bluff.
The resolution proposed no investigatio,
involving future Transactions whatever. |
simply requested the Secretary ofWar to in
form the House whether any steps haze beer
taken to ascertain who was responsible 70
the disaster. The resolution was handed t.
the adjutant General, who submitted it t
tbs commander in. chief. He (Conkling) wa
unwilling to believe that the commander in
soc AnA ttn u
could not impute to him the design to trif
with the House and return an evasive an
swer. II he did read it, he certainly misun
derstood its purport. He seemed 10 have re
ceived the impression that future inquir
was TO be instituted, and that of a very gen
sral character, and he accordingly expresse
an opinion to the Adjutans General, whic
was reported to the Secretary Of War, an
by the latter transmitted to the House.
The answer to the resolution did not in
form the House that steps had been made t
show who was to blame Tor the Balls Blu
disaster. The response was eyasive. Nov
this was disregard of the privileges of til
House, which ought to receive, and require
q prompt notice, unless we consent to
trampling on our rights We should watc
with jealous eye the right OF whoesoin
inquiry. The inquiry related to great na
tional calamity, and to the most atrociou
military murder ever committed in our his
tory, and the most humiliating triumph {
the rebellion; hlunder so gross that ever
man can see it, and no one has ever dared I
deny OF defend il. Besides the defeat ant
large loss Of arms and munitions Of wal
there was . sacrifice Of nine hundred an
thirty men.
The resolution to which he (CopkIing) re
ferred, was proposed out OF respect 70 th
memory OF those men, and in de erence /
the public property and selEfespect Of ii
nation. 1t was to inquire Whether the mil
tary authorities have taken any steps wha
ever to ascertain who is responsible for th
slaughter oftbe sons OF New York and Penn
sylvania.
Gen. Stone, who WAS al the time in con-
uaDd, is member Of the regular army