Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-01-05
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. d.


went into Executive session.
whsn tie doors were opened, the Senate adjourned.
- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
VOTE OF rsAsKs 10 GEN. LEE AND HIS ARxY.
TIE SPEAKER announced the joint resolutions from
the Senate of thanks to General K Lee and the oi-
oen and soldiers Of his CO pmaad Toe rule Eas sus-
psneed aud the resolutions unanimously pissed.
EXEMPTIONS FROM MILITARY srRvfoy.
|, Mr. RUSSELL; OF Va inroduceia bill to repeal Ger.
tain exemptions from military duty aIlo1ed by law,
OF persons between the ages Is and As years. and eI
ceping exemptions for oisa bity and persons holding
Office il under tie Copfedsrst. and State Govern
ments, or emploIed in State Ordnance Departments,
Mnhisss Of the Gospel, and STATS troops a. nOw al
lowed by law
DILL FROM THE MILITARY COMMITTEE.
Mr. MILES, from the Committee on Military Affairs,
sa number OF bills had been referred TO the commit
tea relating 10 exemptions; and they had perfected BILL
which he was ihs.rctedt TO present. he saw no occa-
sion for tie bill Of the gentleman from Virgins Nr.
RUSSELL and he hoped it would be Withdrawn. -
Ar. RUSSELL said that for the present, be would
move a. the bill ofsred by him lie on the table in or.
der to have the bltreported from the Military Cou-
mittes- Nr. MILES then reported the following bill:
BILL 70 be entitled Gu Act repeating and regulating
future exemptions from military service.
The Congress Of the Oonfsdrats STATE, do enact, That
om and after the passage Of this act all acs and parts
the hereby repealed except 10 20 far as they
relat to oeers of The Confederate and State Govern.
mcnts and hereafter her persons shall be exempt
from such service, than the tolosiDg to wit AL who
shall be held 10 be unfit for military service under rules
to be prescribed by the Secretary of War, and such
other perons as the said Secretary with the approval
Of the President may deem it pedien 10 exempt in
view OF tho fact, which must be satisfactorily establish
ed that such persons by their skl labor oecupa-
ton or employment better aubserve the virtual interests
afaoH IN
defence outside of the army than in its ranks: Pro-
sdsd, shat in such cases. absouts pons from
military service shall not be granted IL in ths opinion
OF the Secretary of War; the end cfn be obaitsd
by regularly enrolling and detailing for specific times
and stated purposes the persons whose sk labor
cupaton employment my make their services more
valuable out of than in the uil ranks OF the army
After tie reSdng Of the bill several members offered
amendments but The Speaker ruled .hs out of ordor
The bill was ordered to be printed and made the special
order for every other morting until disposed OF.
JOINT RESOLUTIONS IN REGARD TO THE WAR.
Mr.. GO0DE Of Vs., offered the following joint reso-
lutons
Rsssivsd by the Congress Of he Confederate States.
That the presen' is deemed fitting occasion TO remind
the people OF tie Confederate States tha they are en-
gagged In struggle for the preservation both of liberty
aud civilization, and no sac6ees of life fortune can
be too costly which may be requisite to secure to them
selves aud heir po.terty the oymen of thesa mar
probable blessings and also to assure them that n the
If developed with energy husbandsd wi care and APP
piled with fidelity, ttan sufficient to support
the most protraced which be necessary wage
for our Independence; and to exoor! them by every
confederation which influence reemen and patriots
to magnanimOus render of all personal and party
feuis; to give an indignant iebake TO every exhibit
bion Of facous temper in whatever quarter or upon
whatever pretext It may be made to generous support
of oil brsnohes OF tie Government in tina legitimate ex
ercise Of their cost tutonal powers; and 10 that har
monious unselfsh and patriotic cooperation which can
alone iu psto cause the irresistible strength which
Syringe from united counsels fraterns feelings and fer.
vent d'voi n to thepublc veal
Mr.. G00DE said the beginning ola new gear pre-
sened an opporune occasion fos Congress to renew an
EXPIRE sion of sentiment in relation the war; that the
world N ght know Congress not respondent as 10
the final issue OF the great struggle. He wished the
ctosksrs and gFumblers tho 6g5t tn r battles on tie
street corners land always lose them) 10 know that
Congress does share in the feelings of dsspondtn
cy He entertained no doubt whatever OF our ultimate
slcc's. Let our pecpe only be educated by the right
sprt-thAt Of people fghang for their liberties-and
We never could be conquered The subugatQn ofeight
millions of people struggling In the holy o.n3y of their
bsr les and tie sancty of their homes sud fresides is
not recorded in history. Tbis is wsrfor entlaye-
ment- Tie peype had sufficient evidence Of this The
barbaritIes recently practic ladies' in Eastern
North Carolina showed tie atrocities of the yandals-
They desire and ineud to devssate homes ensave
our men and massacre defence IS womsn and CHI
dfea. Let US renew purpose to prosecute tbs var
10 the bitter end at any Sacrifice except that of our
honor, before subm ion and subjugatio'.
Mr. CURRY, OF Ala, approved the resolutions, but
thought they oughtto be referred l0a.select committee
for mature cors deration. .
Mr. KEENAN, Of Ca thought the resolutions good
and ueiltmed, aud opposed the reference. He hoped
they would be mmt dately considered aud unanimously
adopted.
NJ. NACHIN, Of KY, thought the resolutions did
not 60 far etouga. TIE people sl-eadJ knew we were
6ghtirg o. independence. The resolutions should
be more comprehensive aud definite and he favored the
reference. ..
M. OLAPP, Of Miss, was decidedly in favor of tho
resolutions. So far as they went they were good but
he thought 1t best to refer them to Select Committee
who would consider and DECIDE upon the propiety Of
an address BY Congrssto the people of The Con-
fedsrate States which he would make even stronger
than the resolutonE He therefore moved h, refer
them to a lect Consmte.,
Mr. MCLEAN of N. Cs said he fully appreciated the
motives Of the gentleman from Virginia pnsripg the
resolutions before the House, and be fully Ut curfedin
re sentiments expressed therein He, however prf-
tba. the mster might be full considered and ms
tured. He thought that lea, succinct statement Of
the condition and spirit o. the people Of the Confederate
States, embodied in resolutions and address, would
exert shappy asd cheering effect upon the whole coun
Try. Hwoud make known our true condition, would
dnpe the gloom and despord ncy that prevail in some
sections oil his State, well as in other sections
OF the Confederscy and would animate and reinyigor.
ATE the hopes and fpirts OF our people The county
expected Congress az least give forth no upcertsin
sound" and il matter OF momentous importance
to impa.t correct Information to ths people, He hoped.
therefore, hat the motion of the gentleman from Mis-
''sippi to refer would prevail.
kAr. GRAY, of TeIss, opposed the reference An
Impression had gone forth that Cofgres was divided in
eminent 10 regard 10 the war He desired that he
efoutons be passed at once that the world might SEQ
congress true and had bpt enc hand and heat In
his gfess struggle. He hoped they would be passed.