Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-04-14

that under Constitution representatives upon
that floor had right to express their opinions upon any
nnbc question that might be under discussion He (Mr
dissrnted from the opinion that we should recognise
the ulhern Confederacy He was no advocate OF the
secesson Of the Southern States; he not willing
ready 10 admit their independence but he held that if
gentlemen honestly entertained different opinions they had
right to express them and if in expressing them they
ia conflict with the opinions OF their constituents their
will change their representatives aud remedy
the Injustice done to them by legal and constitutional
method When the House should deny it's members the
privilege expressing their opinions IT would have reach
ed point when the majority will have become tyrants,
and can crush out all opposition in spite OF the Consu
ton in spite Of law and in spite OF the rules Of the body
To admit that the remarks OF sr LONG wou,a give aa
and to the enemy he asked whether this
resolution, violating the privileges OF member was not
aso calculated give aid and comfort TO the enemies OF
the Government since they will see IN y taat
spirit which porends the overthrow Of the
liberties not only of members of Congress- bnt OF the peo
pie of the Northern States BY the adoption OF this reo
luton the members of the House woud surrender their
constitutional guarantees ana place themselves a. Inc
mercy of re orseless majority
Mr. ALLEN proceeded to say that If a discussion Of
constitutional obligations Is calculated TO give a,d ana
comfort TO the enemies of the country there are others IN
high places who, during this Administration, have been
giving aid and comfort to the enemy-others too who
had bound themselves by solemn oaths 10 observe the
Constitution and preserve the rights of the States When
the President of the United States took the oath OF Office
he pledged himself to the country that all the rights which
pertain the United States should be oy MN
He bound himself under the solemn obligations OF an oath
thus to execute his official trust But under the plea OF
public necessity he has once and ssan violated the letter
and thespt Of the Constitution; yet the gentlemen who
are so tender on this have not submitted resou
tons Of censure against him IL the proposed prescription
of member of the House commenced VINO could tell
where the axe would nextfall2 1t might all upon MIN,
(Mr devoted he had always been to THIS Govern
ment and anxious for its While he hated the re-
beon he loved the Constitution. love SAID he) De-
cause the citizen high or law win lib phnopV
of srer Qh security against any OF nis
rights 1t is beca love it on that ground that de-
clare my intention to set my face against those whose
acts look toward revolution come they Whatever shape
they may cannot be mistaken in reference 10 tne rgnt
Of this House that we have right to expel member
for the expression of bis opinions IN this House on Puoc
questions To concede that we have any such power
would enable any Administration when they had the ma
ory to exue the members of either branch OF Congress
who happen to differ from it in political sentiment
Mr. GARFIELD of Ohio, replied to the interrogato-
ries propounded by his colleague Mr cox IN the carrier
part of the debate explaining his views Oh The snoect OF
revolution The que stion of right in human affairs is
relative question. What might have oeen sad WIN pro-
prety aud loyalty three years ago could not % sau 10
day 1t depended upon the circumstances OF she tunes
The right existed to vote sgainst declaration OF war but
when the country has decided on warhe must look upon
those against whom it is declared as his enemies Inc
House has Committed itself to put down The rebellion oy
the weapons of war. We are not SO much an army 10
the field nation at war II he voted Tor retaining the
gentleman from Ohio in his seat, he would vote Tor re-
tanning jeff Davis in his seat. de knew OF nothing more
poweful to give aid and comfort to the rebellion than
such utterances We fight not for to-day but for the
grand future of this glorious country The battle heid
that evil and vanou; the other the good and tlue
lighting for future generations 1t might be said that the
voice Heaven had called out the good and the Dad Tor
the combat.
Mr. HARRIS of Maryland rose and said: Mr. Speaker,
came late into the House, and have not had the OPP
portuny of listening to the greater portion OF the debate
this resolution But sir, listened YESTERDAY 70 me
language which fell from my friend from ONO, Mr
LONG and endorsed every sentiment that Dc uttered
And deem it my duty though Others may quake though
others may shrink from his side to endorse mere every
| thath a
an attempt made to tyrannze over one who entertsns
sentiments which did not know he entertained uhi
Yesterday, but sentiments which have long entertained
ntertsnng intend to stand BY his eide Tor Weai OF
for woe. ~: ~,
GARFIELD) replied to his colleague VINO prst sPahe
(Mr LoNo) he said that he had the courage OF
on that he had the courage to face the cannon ana Inc
rife. 1t a compliment TO ny friend put no conta
ment to this House the intolerance OIL whicn mas aue
necessity for my friend in speaking his honest sent
ments n debate have the courage to face these 1pe
ments Of war Another thing which the gentleman ron
Ohio (M GARFIELD) avowed led me TO suppose that nc
would not be found support OF such resolution as TINS
was that he believed his colleague Mr. Long, sincerely
and honestly entertained these sentiments Now Woud
like know what the is when man eets up mere
and avows his sentiments upon question OF pubc Pohcy
upon measure WHICH would in bis mode OF thlnkhg ead
to termination of this DISASTROUS war, one OF me ony
modes by which 1t can terminate and does ~ sluce
that he be denounced having spoken treason tna
he designed treason and at the time avoW tne oele
that be was sincere and honest in bis ssaement or
am willing to 90 with my friend where you choose u
send him upon such issue If there any honesty ~
any party n this country they will defend u.s. they VIII
protect u.s. they will rise like hurricane and sweep away
the vermn Of politicians thai are preyng upon me
very yitsls Of American liberty 49,
But speaking upon The issues before the country What
is the issue IL not peace ap issue Cannot man
protest against carrying avorlng war TO the e1er
mlaatinn Of whole of peoplef Cannot man get
up and cay we DO not admire your tactics we woud
rather have peace than such wer think Is better
peace should 1t will the lives OF our people on
both sides il will the money Of the men VINO are
oppressed with heavy burdens Of taxation to carry
this war; Cannot say it better to have peace
than war and especially when he brings authority 70 show
by men who advocated your own principles, by men, slr
who governed this country When the gentleman rom
Ohio brings here the opinions OF such men to back MIN up
you say that he must discard all such opinions Why not
Of you yes sir, not If you be called min
rate man compared with those from whom the honorable
gentleman quoted yesterday. Laughter
Mr. Speaker when came here at this session OF Con
gress solitary and alone could not say Tor some
time whether anybody sympahized with mel felt my.
self solitary and alone. Those who were here around me
wsr Democrats They invited to their caucus,
but could not go into It. Those kneY would never let
me 90 into their caucus and intended 10 apply
would starve among them. am peace man. radical
peace and am for peace by the recognition OF the
South for the recognition OF the Southern ConfederacS
and an for acquescence in the doctrine Of secession
Laughter Laugh as you may, you have got to come
TO it.
thought was alone began to take the advice Of
Cato TO his son,
when y;ce prevails and impious bear sway,
The post OF honor - private station
felt like giving up my seat and leaving this place.
haze al, ktfa