The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-11
THE REBL CONGRESS.
ValedictOry Of Speaker BOcOck.--The
Rebel Congress Currency
Bill Panic, &c.

Mr.. BocOCK, Speaker of the late rebe
Congress, in response to resolution O.
thanks presented him, addressed vale.
dictory, from which we give few ex.
tracts:
And now as we stand and look back
over the history Of the last two years, the
mists already begin to dissolve, the clouds
to lift themselves up, and our pathway to
grow clear and distinct in the clear light
of reason and reflection. We see now
more clearly than ever before The dread
responsibility which has rested upon US;
and how deeply our action has involved
the safety of our country and the best in
terests of mankind. We have been called
to legislate for an infant nation, strug-
Cling with some of the embarassments
within that usually attend a new political
organization, and assailed from without by
war-and such war; So vast in its di-
mansions; so unexampled in its terocity
SO altogether unchristion and unholy in its
spirit, and SO exacting in its demands.
To meet the requirements of such war
has indeed been no easy task-to give
the men and the money. And yet we
have not shrunk from the performance
of this duty. When, in the spring of 1862,
the failure of the State Legislature to fur
nish US with a sufficient number of troop4,
raised by State authority, rendered it es-
sential that prompt and strong measure
should be taken by US, we boldly resorted
to the measure of conscriptioD, then new
in this country, and thus we saved alike
our army and our cause. And since that
time, as the exigencies of the service have
required it, We have enlarged the scope of
that law and lessened the number of ex
emptions from its operation, till at last,
by recent enactment, it is believed We
have made it as efficient as present cir
cumstances will allow. There is party
who desire peace Let them get control
over us tomorrow. and that party viii
have acquired lease OF power that will
last for a generate n. In such an event,
there might be few who would wish to
see us restored to our former status and
the old Union re-established, but their
voices would be lost in the wild whirlwind
and tempest of fanatical triumph and
fury. Men want peace-dO we not all
want peace? Peace! how gladly would
we hail its advent! How anxiously do
we watch fo- it's coming! But there can
be no such peace. No. The people are
resolved. They are self devoted. Thew
will make all needful sacrifices. The
fires OF independence are burning brightly
in their bosoms. Civil commissions Of this
kind usually give birth to prodigies of
military and civil greatness. We have not.
now a hero here and hero there. Every
village and every hamlet, and almost eyery
homestead, now has its hero. Qualities Of
beroism have found their way into the
bosOms of the softer sex, and men dare
not, if they would, be otherwise than
brave and true. Victory sits far off on
her mountain throne. Between ms and
her there may be defiles to be passed. RAJ
vines to be crossed, crumbling lodges to
be surmounted that may bread beneath
our feet and throw US back. But if. not
withstanding all, we will move on with
steady step and determined purpose all
those difficulties may be. overcome. and