Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-02-29
CONGRESSIONAL;
WASHINGTON, February 27.
HOUSE.

HOUSE.
In the House not more than so members we're
present. 1t having been agreed Yesterday that
nothing should be done to-day excepting max
Mr. Dawes occupied the chair and the Presi-
dents annual message was announced as the
theme for discussion,
Mr. Harding of Kentucky, referred to a form
er declaration of the Presidents that the Union,
is unbroken and all secession ordinances are
null and void. In.this vieS he coneurred, and,
therefore, whenever the rebellion shall be sup
pressed, either by force OF arms or voluntary
submission, the revolutionary States are thereby
restored with all their rights and privileges in
the Union. This view was sound and was acqui-
esoed in by the conservatives and democrats.
But the President had changed and had pre-
sented a scheme for reconstruction more des-
tructive than the old doctrine Of State rights.
The scheme was mapped out by the master
builder, with pencil dipped in blood. Persons
are to vote Just as the President may direct
The effect was the iron hand of despotism,
crushing out the last vestage of constitutional
liberty, leaving nothing but desolation 1t would
establish the most odiOus olgarchy Of savage
and cruel character, and it was enough to fire
any mans veins, in which rms drop of Revo-
lutonary blood.
Mr. Deming, of Connecticut, SAID the Presi-
dents scheme Of reconstruction, seems to liber-
ate order from anarchy and its paralizing infu-
| ences Z; to prevent innocence from being COM
pounded with guilt to separate loyalty from the
| unhealthy contact of disunionism, which would
| subject it in the eye Of the law to the punish
/ ment for crime. The task was one Of great en-
| bsrrassment and difficulty, because Of the i'm
| perfection Of human wisdom, and because the
plan was designed by the President to be transit
/ tory in its character to bridge the cbasm be-
tween State anarchy and State restoration, COM
| mencing the great deliverance in attempting to
| solve the difficult problem. No statesman
! would adopt any different plan. While the Presi-
dents plan may be incomplete, it was as com
prehensive as the intricscies of the subject would
| permit. 1t possessed the rare merit Of being
Just to the Government, just to the insurgent
| States, and to the slave.
| Mr. Deming defended the Amnesty Proelama-
ton az beng jEstAsble, from the fact that in the
| loyal sense every citizen IN the naurrectOnRry
States is public enemy.
Mr. Blair, of Missouri, discussed the affairs Of
that State, defending himself from attacks which
! had been made. Having sought to discharge
his whole duty, he might challenge a eompari-
son OF records with his assailants. the radicals
had klndled the smouldering fires, and from q
spirit Of retaliation he had undertaken TO build up
6 party for HIMSELF He was slwayswilling to &C
eept gTadua! emancipation, and Ehen the people
| Of that State decreed Immediate emancipation he
would be more than ready to accept it. He en-
tered on Al exposition of this subject, charging
that these radicals had sought to deceive Union
men, and we're not in favor Of immediate eman-
oipatop, having refused to vote for It in the Con-
Fenton where they haq the power 10 GsrTyit As
to the recent Convention in Baltimore, it was
compelled to nominate Mr.. Lincoln, as the Peo-
pie Of the State we're for him. But dark lantern
associations still exist in Maryland, and hence
some delegates were elected prOfessedlY for Lin
coin but to betray their trust, one Of Secretary
Chase's Assessors declaring he would vote for
whom he pleased. Mr.. Blair xpressed his sur
prise that the representative from Iowa and 9TH
er States had been Gaughtln IN trap by signing q
paper asking for the rejection by the Senate OF
Sehoheld as Major-General.
Mr.. Wilson, Of Iowa, denied that the delegs-
ton Of that State was caught in tap. He knew
what the paper was and it told the truth.
Mr.. Grinnel, of Iowa, said the Missouri militia
/ came from N5rthern Missouri into the Southern
portion Of his District, stealing horses and plum
dering roests, and that they came to blow up
the Court House and unite themselves with the
Knights Of the Golden Circle.
Mr.. Blair replied it was not sufficient grounds
against SOho6eld, aud while few such men may
have crossed over the attention Of the command.
ing officer was directed to another quarter. He
said the enemy sought to rely on mlsrepresen-
| tetion to injure General Sshoheld and thus make
issue against the President. The Navy Depart.
ment courted investigation. Not so the Treas
ury Department. A more profigate administra-
ton than that Of the latter never existed. Re
Gently in Baltimore permit was given to q no.
torious blockade runner, whose vessels had
more than once been seized. In aIluding tC
Pomeroy's recent circular, he spoke Of its de