Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-04-14
The Disunion Speeches i'm the House
of Representative.


ton OF the speech Of Mr., Long demo
craft of Ohio In the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes, which called forth Speaker
Coliax's resolution for his expulsion,
spoken OF in our columns yesterday
II is taken nom the speech as sent by
Mr., Long 10 the New York News for
publication
The very idea upon which this war is
founded - coercion OF States leads 10
despotism 20 preserve Republican
form of Government under any Censti-
tuition, under the prevalence of the doc
trines now in vogue, is clearly impossi-
BILE ] do not share in the
belief entertained by many of my polit
ical friends, on this floor and elsewhere,
that any peace is attanable upon the
basis of Union and reconstruction. II
the democratic party Were in power to-
day, have no idea, and honesty COM
pels me 10 declare il, that they could
restore the Union over thirty-four States.
My mind has undergone an entire
change upon that subject. ! believe
that there are but two alternatives, and
these are estbsy az A0,UltdgmtHt Of the
ndtpa'dttoe Of the South as dH Independent
nation, or he1 complete a5Jaqation and Ca
termination as people; Ghd Of these alt9Ha-
tees ! prefv the former.
Mr.. Chairman, ! take little or no in
terest in the discussion Of the question
which many Of my political friends
would make an issue as TO how this war
shall be prosecuted, its manner and OBJ
ject. | regard that as worse than trif-
ling with the great question. / do not
believe there can be any prosecution of
the war against sovereign State under
the Constitution, and | do not believe
that war so carried on can be prose-
cuted so as 10 render il proper, justifi-
able or expedient. An unconstitutional
war can only be carried on in an uncon-
stitutional manner, and 10 prosecute it
further under the idea Of the gentleman
from Pennsylvania, (Mr Stevens,) as a
war waged against the Confederate
States as an independent nation for the
purpose OF conquest and subjugation, as
he proposes, and the Administration is
in truthand in fact doing, | am equally
opposed.
! viii say further, Mr. Chairman, that
If this war is TO be still further prose-
cuted, prefer that il shall be done I'M
der the auspices OF those who now con-
duct its management as | do not wish
the party with which j am connected
to be in any degree responsible for its
results, which cannot be otherwise than
disastrous and suicidal-let the respon-
| sibility remain where it is until we can
have Change of policy instead Of men,
| if such thing is possible. Nothing
| could be more fatal for the democratic
| partN than TO seek to come into power
| pledged to continuance Of war poll
cy-suCh q policy would be libel upon
its creed in the past and the ideas that
| lie at the basis of all free Governments,
| and would lead TO its complete demon
| alization and ruin.
| | believe the masses of the democrat
| ic party are for peace, that they would
| be placed in a false position If they
| should nominate war candidate for
| the Presidency and seek TO make the is
| sue upon the narrow basis Of how the
war should be prosecuted. For my own
| part as have already indicated, fear
that our old Government cannot be pre-
served even under the best auspices, and
under any policy that may be now
adopted yet l desire to see the demo-
cratic party with which / have always
been connected, preserve its consist
ency and republican character I'M
| shaken"
The following will serve as q sample
of the speech Of Mr.. Harris (democrat)
Of Maryland, for which he was censured
and declared an unworthy member OF
the House
/" He endorsed every word that the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Long, had
uttered, and would stand by him for
veal or woe. He was peace man, a
radical peace man. He was for recog-
nizing the Southern Confederacy, and
for acouiescing in the doctrine Of seces-
| sion. He had hope, but it was not In
this House. He hoped a tornado would
come and sweep you from power.
The South ask you to leave them in
peace; but now you say you will bring
them into subsection. That is not done
yet, and God Almighty grant that il
never may be. | hope that you will
never subjugate the South"
| How beautiful and patriotic is modern