Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-02-17
! From the Washington Constitutional Union, Feb.
13h.l
sPeace, Peace! hut there is no
Tpeace!o

1 n
Iseace!"
We submit the following highly interest
ing remarks made in the House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States, on Thurs.
day last, by the Hon. Fernando Wood Of
New York, and the Hon. Samuel s. Cox, o.
Ohio. The subject they treat and the spirit
they display will secure to them careful
perusal and responsive sentiment at every
flre-side in our afflicted country. These
distinguished gentlemen performed the pa
triotic duty they assumed, with an ability
and sincerity which all will appreciate and
be truly grateful for. If the Confederate
Congress are candidly talking of peace,
thrice blessed peace, and have sufficiently
! recovered their senses to realize, with John
lQuincy Adams, that HOne peace is worth a
\ thousand victories" how wicked how afro
iciously wicked on the part of the Federal
Congress it is, and to what a terrible re-
sponsibility will the world and posterity
hold them if they persist in madly de-
mandiDg and Hyena-like thirsting for more
md more blood. Let the Union be restor-
led, as restored it must be, but we appeal to
,all the world for its Judgment whether Of
"blood-letting" there has not already been
enough, and more than enough to glut
the appetite of any people however reso-
lutely vindictive if not absolutely in
sane. We have punished the enemy be-
yond all measure, and been punished our
selves to an extent abundantly gratifying
on both hands the largest desires we
ever entertained, and we think that when
the South say ''Peace, be still" the North
should answer: 'Come, my beloved, to
meet the BRIDE" and that bride is Peace
The radical leaders are not of those to whom
we appeal. Their lust for vengeance, which
sis mine, saith the Lord" their itch for
lucre, and their greed for continuance in
power, are insatiate we know, but our coun-
try contains multitudes of reasoning beings,
honorable men and women who love their
lcOuntry and think and dream of its welfare
more than Of all other themes combined. If
we can now secure restoration and peace
with honor to ourselves, even though the
enemy be spared from total annihilatiOn or
utter degradation and ignominy, let these
blessings come and come quickly. Read
the debate from the official record:
Mr.. Fernando Wood-I desire to call at
tention to the fact that while we are here
discussing a measure clearly and palpably
jim violation of the Constitution of the Uni
fed States, oppressive and destructive, the
tonfederate House of Representatives is
probably this very day discussing measures
f peace reunion, and conciliation.
Irepeat that while we are preparing to
iolate the Constitutions Constitution
ighich recognizes slavery, which even rec
ynized the slave trade for twenty
ears-while the Congress of the United
/ tates is preparingby its measures for en-
: re and inevitable disunion, the people of
le Southern States in Congress assembled
Y their Representatives are extending the
.iive-branch of peace.
| haN rico fn,.t tI,a nf
| llling the attention of the committee, of
ie House, and of the country, that there is
ow pending in the House of Representa-
YES of the Confederate Government q
opposition for peace, and is being debated
4 Z secret session at this time.
| L read from the Richmond Examiner of
{, ebruary s, three days since.
The following extraordinary resolutions
a"ere yesterday introduced in the House of
representatives by Mr.. Wright, of Georgia.
| The House went into secret session before
( king any action upon them:
| WHEREAS, The President of the United States, in
| late public communication, did declare that no
| 2positiqns for peace had been made to that Coy
| Enens by the Confederate States, when, in truth.
| Ich propositions were prevented from being made
the President of the United States, in that he re-
sed to hear, or even to receive two Commissioners
| licable relations between the two Governments.
eyertheless that the Confederate States may stand
,stiied in the sight Of the Conservative men of the
| hich Of the two Governments it is that urges on a
ar unparalleled for the fierceness of the conflict
id intensifying into sectional hatred unsurpassed
| / the annals of mankind: Therefore.
| ResoLUed That the Confederate States invite the
nited States. through, their Government at Wash
s @sst R9 a6 S a tSs sqs
sxt, to consider. lst. Whether they cannot agree
| pom the recognition Of the Confederate States Of
merica.. Cd. In the event Of such recognition
= neither they cannot agree upon the formation of a
wv Government, founded upon the equality, and
vereignty of the States but If this cannot be done
: consider, Sd. Whether they cannot agree upon
eaties. offensive, defensive, and commercial.
ResoLced, In the event Of the passage Of these
,utions, the President be requested tocommunicate
ie same to the Government at Washington in such
amer as he shall deem most in accordance with the
ages Of nations; and in the event of their accept
ace by that Government, he do issue his proclama-
on Of election by delegates, under such regulations
Z he may deem expdient
In these resolutions may be found the ba-
Is of negotiations leading to reunion under
he Constitution.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, this is Government
white men, made by white men, for the
urpose of preserving law and order, and
reserving the liberties of the people, and
)r the protection of the States and of the
Shite people thereof, and yet it is proposed
" Ullls Dll W ulSItSdIu tttCii VI IflCSC plO-
isions and requisites; to oppress the white
nd elevate the social political condition Of
he black race, which, under the COnstitu-
ion, the Congress Of the United States has
f8o authority to do. desire now to speak
"a irectly to the proposed amendment and tt
NY that under the organic law slaves are
,roperty. They have no other status in the
Constitution, and as property, cannot bt
iaken exceptby giving Just compensation
In return. ct
Here the hammer fell.
| Several members on both sides of the
House proposed that Mr.. Fernando Wood
should be permitted to conclude his re-
marks.
l. Mr.. Boutwell, objected.
Mr.. Cox-I renew the amendment offer
ed by the gentleman from New York Mr.
Fernando Wood. do so for the purpose
of calling the attention of the committee tt
the proposition in the rebel Congress re-
ferred to by the gentleman, which seem
to have been received by the COMMITTEES
with some mistrust and little levity.
/, too, am opposed to this bill Of conscrip
ton, because believe it will fail of execu
tion, because it is unconstitutional, unwise
lanti-D Democratic, and scheme of involun
Itary servitude for white men, not authoriz
ed by anything in our system of govern
ment. l do not believe it will raise th'
army which you need to put down this re
lbellion. I have indicated heretofore my
| n1nn fnr RAISING trOons for this nurnOse.