The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-06-02
A Peace Proposition In the Rebel
Congress.

submitted the following preamble and
resolutions, which were read by the
Clerk, creating quitea sensation on the
floor among the privileged seats and
the galleries:
WHEREAS The unconditional enact
ment of laws by the Congress of the
United States, upon subjects of vital
importance to the harmony and inde-
pendence Of the States, the happiness
and prosperity Of the people, the pres-
ervstiOn and perpetuatiOn ofthe Union.
against the demands ofjustice. the sp-
Pesls and admonitiOns of her best and
wisest statesmen, made it our painful
duty 70 fall back upon the rights for
which the colonies maintained the war
of the Revolution; and which our fore
fathers asserted and maintained 70 be
clear and inalienable.
Resolved, By the Congress Of the Con
federate States, That the delegates
from each State, acting in its sovereign
and independent character, for the pur-
pose of adding moral - our physical
force, and placing ourselves properly be
fore the civilized world, do most earn
estly appeal to the President by and
with the advice and consent Of the
Senate, to appoint Commissioners whose
duty it shall be to propose an armistice
of ninety days to the proper authori-
ties Of the Federal Government, pre-
liminary TO State sovereignty and inde-
pendence; and the said Commissioners
shall report in writing to the President
the answer received from the Federal
Government upon the subject
Resoired, That should the peace max
ing power of the Federal Government
aocede TO the proposition for the aFmis-
tioe Of ninety days, the President be
requested 70 convene the Congress of
the Confederate States for the purpose
of appointing Commissioners by and
with the consent and advice Of the SEN.
ate; and that be be ako requested to
notify the Executives Of the several
States Of the fact, and ask their co-Ope-
ration by appointing COMMISSIONER
either by the Legislature or COnVen-
ton, TO cooperate with the COmmis-
sioners appointed by the President, and
TO negotiate with the Commissioners ar
pointed by the Federal Government,
upon such terms Of peace as viii be
consistent with the honor, dignity and
independence Of the States, and com
patible with the safety of our social
and political rights.
. Resokred, That in maintaining the
rights guaranteed to US by the blood
and treasure Of our revolutionary
fathers, and dear at all times 70 freemeu,
,cc desire 20 Be tt aL5nS. We take no mans
property we fight not for conquest,
but for our rights, the independence Of
the States, our equality, our civil and
religious Liberties
ResOived, That such terms Of peace as
are agreed TO b. the Commissioner,
ought 70 be indorsed by the President
and Senate, and submitted 20 the people
for their ratification or rejection
Mr.. Foote, Of Tennessee, moved the
reference Of the preamble and resoln-
tons to the Committee on Foreign
Af5airs
Mr McMullen inquired whether the
subject Of the resolution was not a proper
one for the secret session
Mr.. Leach said he desired il 10 be
discussed in open session.
Mr.. Conrad rose 10 point Of order.
A rule was adopted at the last session.
which is still in force, requiring that all
such resolutions be received and dis
cussed in secret sessions.
The Speaker said that such a rule had
heen adopted, bat it had special refers
ence to the last session
Dir. Leach insisted that the impors
tance Of the question involved ia The
should commend them 20
the graFest considerations Of the body.
They were not bis views only, bus the
views Of his constituents, and good
portion Of the people Of North CAROLINA
Mr. 4 h R3arlsnd, Of Arkansss,.
hoped the gentleman would not proceed
until the Chair had settled the point Of
order that had been raised
Mr.. McMullen moved 70 lay the Feso-
lutions upon the table
Mr. Marshall, Of Kentucky rose 70
point Of order. The gentleman from
North CarOlina, (Mr Leach had the
floor, and be had not yielded L. Tha
gentleman from Virginia (dr McMul
LEM was usurping the Aoor
ar. Foote didn want 70 cut OF any
remarks the gentleman from Eorthf
might have 70 make ia sup
port OF his resolutions.
Mr. Leach said the preseRtmeut Of
the resolutions was a duty he owed 70
himself and his constituents II fl.s
House ddnt Ike ne ressh1tiors, Il eosias
d.sposs ef them IN any WlaHner that Il sg'er
proper. All he asked was full and iIa-
partial hearing, that accorded him and
his resolutions, he would De satisfied
Mr McMuilen, Withdrew his motion.
ard Mr Heiskell, Of Tennessee. re-
newed his-the cali for the ayes and
noes upon laying the resolutions npoa,
the table.
The ayes and noes were taken, and
the resolutions tabled
After q short interval, Mr. Conrad Of
Louisiana rose 20 . personal s.xplana-
ton. lie bad read over thepeace res0-r
lutions submitted BY the gentleman
from North Carolina, (Mr Leach and
be found that they look - separate
State action in the prosecutions o. peace.
Taking that view Of them, ne could not
give them his countenaDce nor support
lie asked leave 70 change his vote On
he motion 20 lay them upon the table
lie had voted aye, he would vote
M"
Mr j. T. Leach said he held ia liis
land the address Of the last COngrass
o the people Of the Confederate States.
The principles there annaneiated, we're
imbodisd almost wholly ia these resosa
utions
Mr. Swan, Of Tennessee, asked aud
,btained leave b change his vote on
he motion 90 bay theresolutions on ths3
able. eems3 nsst 4
Mr.. Read, Of Kentucky, moved .
econsider The vote By which the reso-
ions. we're disposed 81, 20 that all the
aembers might use thsif discretion IN
ofing $500 ll l.a
Mr. Marshall, Of Kentucky, was for
reating the resolutions Of the gentle
nan from North Garolina with becona-
ng respect They did not Represents
is views more than the views of hia
District He thin<s they
re- proper and right. and SO think hl
The debate soon began 70 BE some
hat stormy and personal, and, after
1nch Erangling. the resolutions Wers
Abled BY 62 ayes to = nayA -