Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-05-14
CONFEDERATE CONGRESS s.
SECOND CoNGRESS-E1RsT SESSION

CoNFEDERATR CONGRESS.
SECOND O0NGRESS-FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.
FRIDAY, Nay 18Th, 1854.
Prayer by the Rev. Dr. Duncan, of the Methodist
Church
MILITARY RAILROADS.
Nj. WALKER, of Ala, submitted resolution, re-
quesipg the President inform the Senate what steps,
il any have been taken forthe construction OF rail-
road between Blue Mountain, in Alabama, and Rome,
Ca and what progress If any, has been made towards
tho oomplstion Of said railroad
Mr. HILL, of Gs., moved to amend the resolution 80
as 10 include the railroad connection between Danvile,
Va and Greensboro n. @. he said that We had suf-
fered immensely om the delay in the construction OF
the road and il was dus to Congress aud the country
that there should be explanation OF the causes Of
the delsv
Mr.. BURNETT, of KY, remarked eba. bic informa-
ton led him 10 believe that the Greensboro connection
would be completed in the course OF two weeks
Me- ORR inquired of Mr.. HILL the name OF the COZ
tractor.
Mr.. HILL reoIied that Mr.. Wilkes, son of Com.
Wilkes of the United States Navy was the contractor,
and that be had pressed desire for an investigation
by Congress into the Of delay in the construction
OF the road.
Mr.. GRAHAM, Of n. O., said he know Of no circum-
stance casting any imputstion upon The loyalty to the
Coufederate States of Mr. Wilkes. Tho delay in build
ing the railroad gas unfortunate but was not attrbuta-
bic to the contractor.
Mr. HILL withdrew his amendment and the resolu-
ton submitted by Mr.. WALKER was adopted.
THK CAVALRY SERVICE.
M. WALKER also submitted req sutton, which was
adopted directing the Committee on Military All rs 10
il lire into the expediency of further tgiaon to BE-
cure the return 10 their commands Of desertsrs from the
infantry serving in the cavry and OF limiting the
term OF service in the cavalry 70 that they shall be &C.
signed to service 10 the nfartry and their places cup
piled by those who have served in the infantry
The MISSISSIPPI ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CORDS.
Mr.. BROWN, OF Miss, presented Ae resolutions Of
the Mississpp Legislature, insliucng him and his col
league to vote for bill repeating the act suepending the
writ of haJsds corpus and Of amending the tax act so
as to reduce the al Vdloreal tex upon property.
Mr.. BROWN moved that tie resolution be laid upon
the table and printed He then proce dsd to define his
position After service of nearly thirty years, this
was the frat occasion he hsd been eel edupon to meet
resolutions Of this character He had heretofore con-
formed from OF dCty to what had appeared to
he the wishes Of the people OF his ate but regretted
that or this Gee on his Of duty required him 10
take different course. He did not Tecoguz, tie right
of The Lsgisls TO instruct Senator, cut i: the
duty of SENATOR In all cases where be could eonsc
uonsy 90 CO. 10 conform bis action to tho expressed
will OF the Legislature lie should, certainly, always
do 20. 10 ordinary times and under ordinary cl:cum-
stances rather THAI 10 have any conflict with the
Legi.llture be would abandon disposition IN the Senate
but in the present aspect OF salrs he did not feel at
liberty 10 resign. Nevertheless 1t he believed that
thfse resolu expressed the will OF the people o!
hississ ppi nc woulj without moments hesitation,
Law his commission at thCit feet He could rot be in
duced 10 vote ia accordance with those resOlu iona
Nothing 10 The first instance could have induced him to
vote Tor the Objectionable measures except tho convc
ton that they demanded by imperative necessity
and whenever 10 his opinion, that necessity ceases TO
exist he will vote for their repeal He acted upon the
facts in his poss ssion and the facts which influenced
his action have undergone no change.
Mr. b. said he wanted no issue with the Legislature
and sould accept Eoie unless forced upon him. His
frat great duty was TO far he could that every
thing was done by Congress which it do preserve
10 this Government sill the rights conferred upon it by
the tCs aid to that IL discharges every duty
aurrd OF it by the ates. Being the spot and fami
lar with the facts he was quite competent to
iudce OF vhl WAS right these who no. on the
spot nor amisr with the facts. lie regretted the pas
sage Of the resolutions d wouli deeply regret
TO kuog Eat they emOo lied the sentiments OF the peo
Die There had been discussion Ct the questions in
yoyed before the people. Had there been such dis
custom he Nss hat the udgmsn OF the people OF
Mississippi would haze been different tthey were
fully informed OF al the facts, iher deliberate Judgment
would Sustain him in The position he bad taken 10 day.
BE weud not diicuss the resolutions at this time In
his opinion the Legislature had rot arrive at log sal
conclusions Ii he had bel eyed that the duty
of tho writ of haJeds corpus he would not Lave voted
for the act NotniOg but the most terrible necessity
had indu ,el m 10 give that vote aud whilst that
cessy exists he would 60 nothing shiTk his share OF
responsibility for tie measure.
lie did not sympa.hize NTH the spirit brealhed 10
these RESI- ldtons tia: there is dnger TO be feard rem
the army II cue liberty Is ever achieved il will be
done through the insLIumenlaiiy OF the army-not
those who stay st home. Th,re is much b;s,ns and
more patriotism in the amy than Of it, aid if he
4 a, ho it.r fbaa
army hes not c9mplsioed the suspension of the pvi
lege of the writ OF hdbeas corpus That priv legs has
been denied to them since tney enrolled but
they have not murmued. fhs people az home have
raised the howl that our liberty is in dagger" He
could come to 10 such conclusion. God hslp the lib
erty which would be achieved by the stay athome o.
pie. He Gar } would stand by the President in his
heroic tf5-s drive back invaders and would not
mock him by sayng that be had confidence in his pa
otism, bu: none in has recommendations.
Let Us frst establish the fact tha have States be-
fore we quarrel about he rights OF the aes." Let
it De estabhe that Kentucky, Missouri, aGd his own
beloved Mississippi States and his hfe for i. lib
ersy would be maints ned within their limits.
Among themosi amazing hi g which this war has
Developed s the fact tst whilst the people Of ssis-
stpi, in common with those OF the other States, have
freely gone 10 OF given their to the army they
disposed 70 o-ppls me earnest efforts Of the Govern
ment 10 feed aud olothe tlose No complaint is
made a. taking thsr SOILS, nut if Their is touched
by az impressiDg of; GER they are humorous against
whassthey term this outrage upon their rights. rake
my soa" they say, 'let him be maimed for life, or fill
soldiers grave, sl saunch my grief as best can"
bat II you 90 their smoke house gTaHary, you will
hear il lcrd acclsim give you my son, freely, bat
III let you know sick TO my bacon" Dir. b. said he
would express bic dissp2roosdOn and contempt Of all
such con1uc occus IN what qlarter 1t may. In con-
cuson be sad he would for the repeal Of the act
suspending privilege of tho writ of habeas corpus
at the fir. moment when the public safety viii justify
that vote.
Mr. WATSON, of Miss, said he would give the resolu
tons the gteaes. amount of consideration. Without
having 6ltly made up bis mind he disposed 10
recognize the night Of the Legislature to instruct him.
He made this avoEal without cNmmittng himself one
way or the oth,r Az an early day he would take Oc-
ca-ien 10 presen. his views at some length.
Tn. nsnlnnns Hnre laid nnnn the tnhla and ord nod