Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-02-04
TIE CoNFIscATIoN ACT.

THE CoNFIscATIoN ACT.
We continue to-day further outlines Of the speeches
made in the House Of Representatives the proposed
amendments to the coniscstion law.
Mr. KINNEY, delegate from Utah. replied to \ part of
the speech delivered yesterday by Mr. FERNANDO WOoD
ia relation to the people of that Territory. Mr.. K said
that these people all loyal and the gentleman had no
sympathy with loyalty. The gentleman called the Nor
progate outcasts aud characterized them as al
ways disoya He hurled back this accusation and pro-
nounced it false They have been in rebellion against
the United States A. former Chief Justice of Utah he
could say they have always been submissive to the laws
and loyal to the Constitution and the Government. The
formidable military force sent to Utah. at expense OF
fifty millions OF dollars, while the traitor Floyd Secre-
tay of War for the purpose of nauguratng the state
Of affairs existing namely to prepare the way Tor
belop aud thus to weaken the North Utah. he repeat
ed has been 10 rebelon and the people there
not, the gentleman s in sympathy with rebels 1t was
said the recent riots in New York by which streets flow
ed with the blood of innocent women and children reste
TO great extent he shoulders Of the gentleman from
New York. When certain vessels detained at the
port of New York with for tire rebels did not the
gentleman telegraph the Governor of Georgia that no
regretted exceedingly he had not the power release
these ships We're members here to listen to sentiments
from the gentleman breathing treason? If he
member of this House instead of delegate, the
first thing he would do would be to introduce resolution
to expe the gentleman for expressing reasonable sent
ments.
Mr. FERNANDO WOOD replied that in his speech
yesterday became to refer to the practice of
/
rebels in against the Government, aud in th.
nection he adverted to the Mormon rebellion He GER
aiuy had expectation of exciting the ire Of the dele
gate from Utah. What be sad gathered from the
Executive documents He was exceedingly careful not
to refer to what the Republicans called the foul institution
of slavery and tn what the Chicago platform
the other twin relic of barbarsm, namely, poygamy
He would refer the delegate to the report of the Secretary
OF War, made to President Buchanan in which it was
stated that became necessary TO send army to Utah.
under Gen Joe Johnston and in the per
song Of md loch tn treat
with the rebels. These commissioners did proceed to
Utah, and met the commissioners appointed the other
sde and amicaby adjusted the questions at issue. The
gentleman had asked him whether he did not when Mayor
of New York, send communication to the Governor OF
Georgia, regrettng that and munitions of had
been It pped ut New York. He thanked the gentleman
for abrdhg him opportunity of denying most enphati-
csy and positively that there any foundation for the
accusation than this namely Before the commencement
q the rebeon ae police OF New Yo,k stopped the de-
parture If the Savannah steamers with merchandise of
every character not arms, but merchandise. The Go
vernon OF Georgia did telegraph him at time when the
communication between the South and New York was I'm
interrupted and wished b. know whether il by his
order the merchandise In HdRSitu stopped He re-
Piled it not, aud that under the law of New York the
police not responsible to the Mayor And this was
all Heidi not require 10 defend bis loyalty. He charged
any nan with alsebood who impugned it, And as to the
threat Of the gentleman TO expe him he would meet it
when any had the temerty to offer resolution for
that purpose.
Mr.. SMITHERs, who was entitled to the floor made
speech in favor of the pending bill He contended for
the full power, under tbs Constitution to nict punish
ment upon traitors He bad no mawkish sympathy which
would induce bin to withhold the forfeiture Of rebel
tates The permaneDce of the Union would be well
served and guaranteed by visiting the wicked leaders
confscat0n of their estates and political rights while
tending amnesty to the VINO have been deceived
and by bay0nets driven into rebellion This sud
den outbreak the part OF the rebels like The Whiskey
Shay rebellion 1t not the result of gross wrongs
but deliberate intent To overthrow good Government
Such opinions those expressed by the gentleman from
New York would have the effect of paralyzng the war
The rebels would not have attempted if they had
not been led to believe that they could 90 peace That
gentleman under the guse OF peace the most efficient
promoter OF war.
Mr.. FlNCK addressed the House 10 opposition TO the
BILL He maintained that, while he in favor of every
Just measure for putng down the rebellion, he was tor
preserving all the fundamental rights under the Constn
ton There not by the modern usage of Nations any
existing right To seize aud conscate the private property
OF the enemy could civil governments De established In
the revotDg States He wanted peace, lasting peace
equitable TO all sections OF the Union, and which would
bring gIadness to the hearts Of millions
Mr.. GARFIELD advocated the bill He argued that sa-
should be destroyed 1t already dead unless the
the other side should resurrect it and
give galvanc life The leaders of the rebellion could
live in peace in this country but he willing to
make exception ia favor Of the rack and file To etthe
former back would be to eternal and
he favored either their execution Punishment He op
posed the appointment Of commissioners and said they
should meet the rebels only with the hunders aud voleys
OF They should follow the example OF Cromwell and
let ont the bad blood of the country and initiate the
verify O the Pnritans God mercu to the fallen
anges-He cast them outani they should initiate Godin
this particular.
Mr. EDGkRTON opposed this conf ,catou bill, and
pied at length 10 the views Of Mr. STEVENS and Mr. GAR
FIELD liz characterized the party power "a reyolu-
onar party and argued against forfeiture of property
beyond the lifetime OF the offender He was utterly OPP
posed to the sweeping conf caon proposed as unconst
tutional uIjgst and inhuman