Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-01-28
LOYAL DEMOCRAT SPEAKING.
Speech Of Hon. H. B. Wright, of Pa.
Delivered in Congress, January IA, 1868

Delivered in Congress, January a. 1868.
The following extended remarks were made
BIZ Hon. HEEDRICK B. WRIGHT in Congress on
wednesday last, and We ask an attentive peru
raj of the same by our numerous readers:
THE RESOLUTION DENouNCING THE REBELLION.
The House proceeded to the consideration of
the decaratory resolution of Mr.. WRIGHT de-
cIaring the rebe llion on the part OF the seced-
ing States against the Government and laws
of this Union was deliberately initiated, and
without reasonable cause; that the war was in
augurated solely for the suppression of the re-
beion and the restoration of the Union as il
was; that, the Union restored, the war should
cease, and the seeding States be received
back into the Union with all the privileges
and immunities TO which they were originally
entitled.
SPEECH OF MR.. vALLANDIGHAM.
Mr.. Vallandigham (D) had offered q substi-
tute for the above resolution. In addressing
the House he maintained that a reunion was
not only possible but inevitable, unless defea-
ted by the deliberate folly and wickedness of
the puplc men and the people. He signed
the question at length from history, citing
many examples. He insisted that physical
causes all tended TO that event; that there
WAS no radical difference in the white race
here TO prevent it that all the original
causes which led to the Union-common de-
SSShtJ iauSudSt. HiedSGTeS, ana
laws, defence, interest, and the domestic tran
qulity-all existed in full force vet, and some
OF them were much stronger now than at first
And further, that artificial causes had sprung
up since-works Of Improvement, multiplying
travel, trade, navigation, and intercourse. AL
so,thst certain less material, but equally strong
tes-common history, national reputation,
songs, common battlefield.
SPEECH OF MR.. WRIGHT.
Mr.. WRIGHT said: | cannot air with
some of the views just advanced by the gentle
from Ohio, (Mr Vallandigham )although.
MS TO the most of his argument, have no hesi
taion In saying | agree with him. l differ
with him in respect to the continuance OF this
war.
/ am Mr.. Speaker, peace man but am
not peace man if the peace is to be established
upon the dismemhered fragments of broken
and destroyed Union. / am peace man, if
peace can be obtained With rebels, who
striking at the vitals of the Republic, upon
terms that shall be alike honorable to the pa
triotism and courage of the North. While /
am peace man am no coward. and while l
may desire peace, l shrink from no response
biiity- | would even put myself, a repre-
sentative from the North, in position OF ab-
sOute hum iliation, il peace could be the result
of it. l will even let myself down, and kiss
the sword in the bands of that arch traitor in
Richmond dripping with the blood of my own
'OiuS, IA Soo'h obtaAh pCsSc
terms TO my country.
But, as my resolutions say, while the rebel
lion stands in menacing attitude, and while
their guns directed upon your very Capt.
tai itself, and whiie they themselves say they
will make no terms with US, / am not peace
maker, because under those circumstances
could not be peace man and preserve my
own honor aud my own country.
The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Valiandig-
ham) said he would have the stopped.
and that he was opposed to it. What does
the geteman form Ohio anticipate by the
cessation of hostilitieS upon our part. Does
he suppose the terms be obtained from
these men who are in rebellion If the North
cay we will grant an armistice? Why, sir,
there can be nothing which could be more
cheering or more satisfactory TO these men
VINO lead and conduct this rebellion than to
have the North say this war sha II stop where
II is, and let them have that republic which
they have bsen striving for during the past
two years. Had the doctrine of the getlemann
from Ohio prevailed one year ago the memhers
OF this House Of Representatives wonld not
nave been IN session here to-day. Had the let
aone policy which he proclaimed here in oppo-
slilon to the war been the marked policy of
the country within the last year, should
not now have the beggarly privilege of occupy
Ing seats in the American Congress to day,
but instead, we would have had the chief trail
ms Hall instead OF ourselves.
we OF the North did not bring this war and
aesolatIon upon the country. We bad no hand
in It. When my honorable friend from Ken
lucky presented his resolutions last July
year ago and We adopted them, We dec Jared !
Win out two dissenting voices, that this was
war Tor the restoration of the Government,
and We meant to fight it out-it may become
aSar of determination before it is ended-tbat
was Immediately forced upon us by the Sc /
cedIng States. We of the North were not the |
nfst who made an appeal TO arms. Rebellion
u was that first fired its guns into the Ameri- /
can flag rebellion it was that first drove those
States from the American Union and inaugu-
rated the reign of terror rebellion it was that
raised the standard of opposition, and sent
heF plratical ships upon the seas to plunder
our commerce. And were we to fold our arms
d these gross outrages, and sit down crying
peace" "let the war stop l'' Had not We +
mad manliness enough TO raise our voices a.
salnst it, and our arms 10 protect ourselves
ana our children, and had we pursued this
Aihd oil peace policy year ago, again re-
peat, We should not have the beggarly priyi-
iege OF occupying seats in the Capitol of the
nation. ..-aq
And now that the war has been protracted
ior the period of two years are we to be met
sgaln by the same argument-that we must
lay down our arms7 No, while God gives us
the power to maintain our position while We
uaVe the force and the yigor, let us fight like .
men, because il has got to come 10 the aues-
ioh oil determination. The day of such
peace has passed by, and passed by forever. I
ihese great wrongs which have been perpe- (
trated upon the part of the rebeilious States, I
NE can hardly realize; We can hardly contem-
pate. They have been the direct and imme-
b ula'e cause of the sacrifice of three hundred
thousand Ia OF the loyal youth of the country.
Ineir bones, if they could all be collected to-