The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-03-30
nlsgrncefnI scene h Congress,

consent, referred to the remarks which
he delivered on the 9Th inst, in which
he charged that his colleague (Mr
Blair) had issued an order, while in
military command, for smuggling IL
ouors into the army contrary to the
Treasury trade regulations. His col
league at that time pronounced the or
der a forgery, and expressed his sur
prise that he (McClurg) had not seen
the denial of the order and invoice IS
forgeries He had afforded his col
league time to furnish the proof Of for
gerry, but this had not been produced,
nor could it be. There was a Latin
maxim, which being translated, was
false in one, false in all !; therefore, one
falsehood Of a witness being exposed,
the whole testimony should be rejected
as worthless. His colleague Mr.. Blair)
had appeared here as his own witness.
lie (McClurg) had exposed his col
leagues falsehood and duplicity and
infdelity to the radicals in his state
ment to the President His colleague
denied on the same occasion that per
sons of color had been run off from
Missouri and sold in other States. He,
(McClurg) in proof of this, quoted from
an order issued by Rosecrans, dated st.
Louis, March LIST, in which it is said that
Justice and humanity forbid the send
ing away Of helpless slaves, and, that
in order 10 prevent such practices and
the stealing and selling Of such persons,
even those who are free, their expOrta-
ton to other States shall not be permit
ted. lie (McClurg) had compassion for
those in. distress, and his colleague
might well be embarrassed, but he
would give such relief as is extended to
criminals after the sentence Of condem-
nation He then produced letter from
Mr.. Conner, special agent of the Treas
ury Department, in relation to the de
NAL Of Mr.. Blair as to the alledged
liquor speculation, and charging the
latter with wilful and malicious false
hood
The Speaker, when these last words
Lad been read, called Mr. McClUrg to
order as violating the order and deco
rum required by the rules.
Mr. McClurg, resuming, said his col
league had characterized the liquor or
der as a forgery; now he (McClurg) had
had that order photographed, and copies
Of it could be prOcured-here it was
Justice must be done though anguish
were caused to the friends of the con
demned criminal
Mr. Blair asked the unanimous con
sent Of the House to make a request.
Mr. Spalding gave notice that after
this he would not give his consent to
any other gentleman.
Mr.. Blair then asked that a select
committee be appointed to investigate
the charge made byhis colleague.adding
Il pl oaounce my colleagues allegation
to be base and willful falsehood He has
taken the place Of the forger and fall
sitter, and pronounce him an infamous
liar and scOundrel'
This remark produced intense sensa-
ton. Many members rose to their
feet, and persons in the galleries evil
IDENTITY partook of the general excite
ment
The Chair promptly called Mr.. Blair
to order for having violated the rules,
and appealed to the House to aid him
in their enforcement
Mr.. Blair said: II could not apply
other language to an allegation so false
and utterly contemplate ] ask for a
special committee to send for persons
and papers. If am guilty | am not
fit to be a representative. The guilt
viii fall upon those who have assumed
the charge.
The Speaker requested the gentle
man to reduce his resolution to writing
Mr. McClurg-I have papers now be-
fore me, purporting to be written by
some Of my colleagues staff, which !
should be pleased to lay before the
committee
Addressing himself to Mr. Blair, and
holding out in his hand a paper, he
asked; you will not deny this sigma
tare.'
Mr. Blair, in response: 81 will notre-
ply to a question from such an inia-
nous scOundrel"
The Speaker again checked the VIC
latiOn Of the rules of decorum.
. Mr. James c. Allen, preferred to have
a committee to examine into the
charges, and said there was no necessi-
ty for debate.
Mr. McClurg again asked permission
to send certain original documents to
the committee.
Mr. Blair then presented his resolution
in writing that select committee of
three members be appointed by the
Speaker, with power to send for persons
and papers, and investigate the charge
Of Mr. McClurg, Of Missouri, against
Francis p Blair, jr, of said State, of
violation of laws in the matter Of an
alleged liquor speculation This reso-
luton was passed after being amended
at the suggestion Of Mr.. Stevens, so
that the committee may also inquire
into the genuineuess or falsity Of the
documents which Mr. McClurg had
produced
The Speaker appointed Messrs. Hig-
by, of California, Clay, of Kentucky,
and Pruyn, of New York, the commit
tee.