Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-18

Confederate Congress, on he27h day Of January,
1868, on a resolution offered By Mr.. CRookEr OF
Ry declaring vkat shouiabs the basis Of sette"eHt
of our difficulties wiLh Ms United States
Mr.. MOORE said
Mr.. SPEAEER-I have sought this opposkE6iy 70 ad-
dress the House under deep sense OF nv and re-
sponsibity which to my constituents. This con-
sideraton alone, induces me to consume any Of the
time Of this House the present occasion. Every
county in my district is represented and some Of them
largely represented in the armies of the Confederate
States and think understand what their wishes
and their wants. And in what may say in regard to
the State of Kentucky have secrets, no informa'
ton TO mpart which requires the veil of secrecy to be
thrown around it. Nor in speaking Of Kentucky will
say anything in exenuation Of her present attitude
which strictly warranted by tue truth of her his
tory from the commencement Of this war But, before
proceed to speak particularly OF Kentucky, !
propose to notice, briefly, general PROPOSE
ions embraced in the scope OF tile resolution Of
cred by my colleague. Much has been said lately on
this floor in regard TO the temper Of the people OF the
North towards u.s. and Of the growing indications on
their part terminate this unfortunate and sanguina-
~ struggle The opinion every where gaining ground
that this is rapidly approaching its close But We
ind diversity OF opinioa existing among our most
enlightened statesmen, both upon this door and else
where as TO the manner in which ought TO meet and
deal with what are considered manifestations Of friend
ship oEards us in the north Surely interesting
and important subject could not be brought to the az
tenton OF Congress and the country. What the gen
eri determination OF the Confederate States is yes
may saw their universal determination, it is not difficult
20 understand The Senate of France during the last
struggle OF Bonaparte to retrieve his fallen fortunes
declared that Peace what France and the interests
of humanity require yet, il enemies still persist in
refusing t. then indeed will fight amid the graves
If our fathers aud the cradles OF our children Such
is our determination To maintain, untarnished, the
lOnor the dignity and independence of our govern
mani and AT he same time meet i'm a nrODer
aer that friendly spirit on the part OF many sections
of the United States which proposes to stay that tide
of wide spread desoatiOn those of blood and
carnage which already stand almost unparalleled in the
history of the world, and so appalling to
humanity, involves the gravest and most
momentous responsibility that ever deyolved
IN any legislative body. IL is a responsibility, which
calls for the grandest display of human PATRIOTISM the
oest conceptions Of human wisdom, the sublimest ex
lbitS of moral fortitude, of which in his best
estate is capable. In times like these to dvest
f the clouds of passion which often obscure 1t, to
vest the heart of its thirsng passion for revenge,
Is to enable TO take calm and dspassonate view Of
great questions that involve the happiness and destiny
Of nation places the statesman the very highest
mineace the temple Of fame, and passes his name in
o history embelished with immortal honors, and I'M
lyins gratitude. For myself shall be induced
20 depart from what recognise and regard the highest
md most authoritative exposition OF sound and enghten
a policy in regard TO nations well Individuals.
That policy is cOmprehended 10 that beautiful and touch
ng sentence uttered by him who spoke man never
splke "BleSSed is the peace maker" But while the
lights and lessons OF celestial wisdom AFFORD the most
laje test oil any rule of action OF policy, whether
pped 70 nations or ind vidua, yet il follow
ne dictates of own judgment, derived from
our experience and knowledge of the history of
our race, we can be at no loss to determine what
course 70 pursue in time of we'll as peace
will however, make one remark in regard TO this
That the wicked shall be turned into hell together
with all the nations that forget God" No field
would ever have been stained with human blood
no revolution have convulsed human society," had
not one of the beigerent powers at least have forgot
en- the great principles ofthe moral government of God
which cannot be violated without bringing upon nations
he cOnsedue that have in all ages of the world fol-
,Wed such violation. This war in which we are noR
ngaged. brought upon us because God has sAid
that the Ethiopian cannot change his skin the Lee
ard his spots" And the Aboltonists have made war
pon as because have believed God aud treated the
(frjcau according TO the status which 0mnipotence
damped upon him The question then arises-how are
We 10 regard and meet those demonstrations of dispo
tiou towards peace that come to us through many
hauuels from various portions oil the North IL Is tie
iart OF wisdom first TO examine whether they truly
md 10 good faith movements looking TO 4 cessation OF
,ostes with u.s. and peaceful solution Of our trou
lies Having lived all my life in a border State
aud possessed many opportunities toe know the tenn
ler and spirit Of the people especially Of the Middle
anu NOflu western w DcltNt nj
,erol has there been majority Of them in favor of
prosecuting this to subiagate the South and
throw the institution of slavery Sir farther than
that will 90 and declare IL my earnest conviction that
Il no period since this war commenced has majority Of
them thong either possible expedent TO bring back
the seeding States and restore the Union by the prose
:uton OF the On the contrary. there has all the
zinc been powerful and living public sentiment against
it. True this sentiment has been smothered and sub
uglted to some by the power OF the Tyrant who
at Washington in all the penitnde OF the most alb
Olute despOSn. That public sentiment, however has
1een miexbly planted upon the ground "that war IL
disuniOn is eternal separation" And not
iorget too that for entertaining and giving uterance
% that sentiment, many, many, very prominent and
representative men among that people have been cast
into prison. and kept there, for long time amid all the
horrors and anguish Of It's solitary cells while their fam
les at home have been exposed to the grossest insults
aud iudgnitieS But that public sentiment, though
,orne down beneath the heel of the despot has lately
,risen and the of its yotaries is legion. And
today they hurting defiance into the very teeth Of
he monster, whose Of blood and cruelty has
consigned his to Immortality of infamy, fro1
the very contemplation Of which the moral sense Of
future generations will recOil with much horror at
the mention OF the name Of Attla Nero or Caligula
30 bold has this puOc sentiment become, that in
the halls Of King Abrahams Congress- i'll the presence OF
an assembly OF myrmidons such IA has not been
since the like spirits rallied around the prince OF dark
ness in PaudemOnium. the gallant and gifted Yallan-
ngham dares to demand this atrOcious war and raise
his manly voice for peace. And while 1t is true the
opponents oil the in the North have as yet in
lerns declared their willingness to acknowledge the in
dependence of the Confederate Government they have
unquaIiiedy pat the seal Of condemnation on the
further prosecution Of the war; upon the ground that il
| can accomplish possible good. Then | again ash
how shall We meet these demonstrations of peace?
trust in God that will be driven away by passion
and nIigual thy spurn them from us deep and neface
/ ~. -, 10 Vii haVa anhu Ard
10 day even amid the thrilling recoleeons that come
to = fresh from the bate6tlds where have persisted
oar fathers aud brothers, and fresh from the lsmenta-
tons Of insuIted aud outraged mothers aud sisters
and fresh from our devastated fields and desolaed homes
even among these the interests of humanity demand OF
US a manly snd elevated patriotism than to hurl
/ from our presence those who come to for peace
/ Those who propose 10 send back TO his home our
/ brave and gallant soldier who has so long and so
| o ten barred his bosom to the strife of death in
defence of the honor of our country and the
graves of fathers. Sir have ambition TO erect
any more monuments of human carnage 10 the fame Of