Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-01-02
THURSDAY. Dec. oath. 1868,


After disposing Of the regular order Of bu-
sinrss. Mr.. Mcl.ane Introduced joint resolu
ton that when the Legislature adjourn it will
be until the 4,h day OF January next.
Resolution passed.
Mr.. Speaker called Mr.. Bowles to the chair
Mr.. Ward offered the following preamble
and resolutions:
WHEREAS, The country is now engaged III
a struggle Involving the existence the Fed
cral Union, and requiring tho assistance and
corporation OF every citizen in the field or by
his hearty encouragement and support at
home, and,
WHEREAS, The great question of National
preservation is paramount to all party cOnsid-
rrations,
Therefore be II Resolred. lst, That we ap-
prove of the past measures of the Adminstra-
ton of Abraham Lincoln, particularly as di-
rectrd towards the suppression Of the existing
rebellion, as honest aud patriotic in their III
tention, and as abundan,ly vindica,ng their
own wisdom in the results which have already
ensued.
2l, That wa approve Of the late suspension
Of the writ Of habras corpus, as we believe
with the President that it was necessary and
therefor. CONSTITUTIONAL as that instrument
says that it "sllall not be suspended unless
when in c,srs of rrb .llion or invasion the
public safety may require it,"
Sd, That whatever may h. the difference in
our opinions IA to the sfafns which tho negro
occupies in relation to the Federal Govern
mrnt, we believe that the Emancipation Proc.
lama.ion was sound aud wise measure. Ger
tain in it's results tn strengthen our own arms
aud weaken those of our enemies.
All. That we will give onr hearty and un-
reserved support to this Administration. and
it's s,ccrssors-of whatever political antrce-
drnts-in the prosecution of the existing war,
until peace is fully established in this dis
trnctrd connry; rsrrving until that event
the discussion of issues which are calculated
t, divide our own councils and strengthen the
hopes Of our enemies; that We regard all dis
tinctions taken in such times rs these between
the support of the Administration and Of the
Government as cap,ious and unpatriotic, it
it being impossible to support the Govern
memt and sustain tho war and at the same
time oppos, tho Administration in its war
measures.
Mr.. Dngan opposed the resolutions; consid.
sdrred that Abraham Lincoln had trampled
,ron tn" Co ,s'itution of tho United Safes.
lie believed that the power Of suspending
the writ of hobeas c0rpus belonged to, Con-
gress and could not of right be exercised by
the Executive. Said that it had never b. CT,
that case the individual 50 doing had been
fined $1,000. lie (Dusan) believed that the
Constitution was made for war as well as
peace. 1t had already carried the country
through two wars. Mr.. Dugan considered
himself rs good Union man as stood upon
upon this floor; would SUPPORT tho Admins:
tration in prosecuting this war constitution
ally; would vote supplies and men m
without limit. but won'd forfeit his liberty
and lifa before he would violate the Constitu.
tion which he had sworn in this House to
support. He believed Mr.. Lincoln had
usnrped legislative powers in promulgating
laws in the shape Of Emancipation Proclaim.
ations, &C., which Proclamation had not lib.
Grated onr slave who would not now be free
under the Confscation Act.
Mr.. McGill. in aluding to the remarks Of
Mr.. Dugan, said that h- had heard the came
sentiments before. That they had been used
by the supporters Of Vallandigham IN the
stump. in Ohio. Denied by Mr.. Dugan.-
REr.] H. was in favor Of the resolutions
and considered them such az any sound Union
man would approve. as endorsing the war
measures Of the Administration. He thought
that the Emancipation Proclamation had pro.
duced the most favorable results in its effect
upon Foreign Nations as we'll rs at home !;
considered it a wise and Constitutional meass
ure. He thought that the exigencirs of the
times, as we'll as the Constitution. justified
the President in suspending the writ of la.
Leas corpus. and spoke at some length on the
matter contained in the resolutions.
Mr.. Ward spoke in favor Of the resolutions
Congress had passed law authorizing the
President to suspend the writ Of ha6eus cor-
pxs, when in his discretion be should consider
that thu public safety required it, and the
President had acted under that delegated