The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-03-02
PEACE IN CONGRESS.


Mr.. Fernando Wood desire to call
attention to the fact that while we are
here discussing a measure clearly and
palpably in violation Of the Constitution
of the United States, oppressive and de-
structive, the Confederate House OF Rep
resentatives is probably this very day
discussing measures of peace, reunion
and Cancellation.
|. repeat that while we are preparing to
violate the Constitution Constitution
which recognizes slavery, which even
recognized the slave trade for twenty
years-while the Congress of the United
States is preparing by its measures for
entire and inevitable disunion, the people
of the Southern States in Congress assem-
bled by their Representatives are extend
ing the olive branch of leace.
I have risen especially Tor the purpose
of calling the attention of the Committee,
of the House, and of the country, that
there is now pending in the House of
Representatives of the Confederate Gov
ernment a proposition for pence, and is
heing debated in secret session at this
time.
| read from the Richmond Examiner
of February ., three days since:
"The following extraordinary resolu-
tions were yesterday introduced in the
House of Representatives by Mr.. Wright
of Georgia The house went into secret
session before taking any action upon
them:
"WHEREAs, the President of the Uni
ted States. in late public communicu-
ton, did declare that no propositiors fol
peace had been made to th"t Government
by the Confederate States, when, IN truth
such propositions were prevented from
being made by the President OF the Uni
tel States. in that he refused to bear, o'
even receive. two commissioners appoint
Ied To treat expressly of the preservation
of anicable relations between the two
, Governments. Never theless, that the
: Cont, Ier&te States may stand Justified III
the sight Of the conservative men Of the
, North Of all parties, AID shat lie world
, may know wnl, h of the tw1 Governments,
, il i, urge, on u war unparalleled for Il {
fierceness u Jhe H,yt and intensi ylna
, into a sectional hatred un urpassed i'll the
, annals OF lMankin: therefore,,
g Il, soIrej Tn t the Confederate State
invite the Uni,ed States, through theiI
, Gov, ,ment at Washing on, to NEE then
e by II representatives. equal to their Repre-
| sentative, ana Senators in their respect "
t Cnngr s. It., on thc---da.
of-s-uext, to col Ter, 1st. Whethu
they cannot agree npon the recognition
c Of the Confederate States Of America
I'd X the event Of such recognition
whether they cannot agree upon thc for
nation OF new Government. founGe
upon the equality and severe; ;gnty of tn
, States, but is this casnot be done, to con
d slider, 3D.. Whether they cannot asre
upon treaties, offensive, defen. i've an
I, commercial
: 4" Rcso'red. Tn the event of the passag
j of these resolutions the President be re
y quesied to communicate the same to tn
e Government at Y ashinston in such man
o ner s he shall Deem most in aceordanr
: with the u~agcs of nations: and in tn
event of their acceptance by that Govern
meRt, he do issue his proclamation G
= election by delegates, under such regula
= tions as he may deem expedient.
In these resolutions may be found tn
ba is OF negotiations leading to reunio
= under the Constitution.
e New, Mr.. Chairman, this is Govern
/ ment Of white men, made by white mel
), for the purpose of preserving law, an
5, order, and preserving the liberties of tn
: people, AND for the protection of tn
d States aud of ihe white people thereo
|. and yet it is proposed by this bill to dis
IS regard each of these provisions and re
= quis;tes; to Cypress the white and eievat
the social and political condition of til
&c black race, which under the Constitution
the c, ngress Of the United States has II
Y authority to do [ desire now to spea
Is directly 20 the proposed amendn eut, all
lie to say that under the organic law slave
N are property. They have no ether statu
N in the Constitution. and properly, car
n not be taken except by giving ''just con
,r pens at cn in return.
n Here the hammer fell
ID Several members on both sides of I'll
al House proposed that Mr.. Fernando w oo
D should be permitted to conclude his r,
Of marks.
Mr.. Boutwell, objected.
le Mr. Cox. | renew the amendment O
ie fered by the gentleman from New Yorl
$ Mr.. Fernando Wood. [ do SO for I'll
S, purpose of calling the attention of Il
h committee to the proposition in the reb
u Congress referred to by the gentlema
a which seems to have been received by II
committee with some mish ust and lit
lr levity.
y I, too am opposed to this bill Of col
$ scripton, because believe it will fail
t execution, because it is demonstrations
l. unwise, anti democratic, and a scheme
le involuntary servitude for white men, NJ
lg authorized by anything in our system
K government. l do not believe it wi
DC raise the army which you need to p,
Id down this rebellion l have indicate
r-Sberetofore my plan for raising troops f
rt this purpose.
i'd And while l always have been reao
re in this House to vote all the money Ill
i'll all the means called ior to meet a ID "
We come the armed resistance against Il
o. Governnlent-while,a after force was ar a,
ir ed against the ovcrnment, | felt it to
my duty to resist it by all the force nee
ed for its supnression-still sir nv re