The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-01-12
THE YANKEE CONGRESS-

The proceedings of the Yankee Congress on tbe
25d Dec, were somewhat interesting In the
House Mr. Edgerton of Indiana, submitted the
following: WV
Whereas, The proclamations of the President Of
January, 1868, and Decehber 8, 1868, i'm relation
to emancipation, impose conditions of pardons and
amnesty to persons who have participated i'm the
existing reoeiiion as we'll as conditions precedent
to the re establishment and observation-disclosures Stare
governments in the States to which said proclan,a.
tlons apply, which, in the judgment uf a large
NUMBER OF faithful citizeus, has tendency to give
the rebellion the advantage of changed issue.
ana to relnVlgorate the otherwise declining insur
recHon IN the South aud to proloag the war; and
|. hereas, This House cannot but regard with
anxiety the unprecedented and extraordinary
Claims and assumption of high prerogative by the
President In said proclamation especially ia view
OF the fact that the President in his inaugural ad
dress OF 4th of March, 1861, declared IL have
no purpose, directly Indirectly to Interfere with
the institutions in the States where it exists; |
believe have no right to do SO, and have no in
clination to do so )" therefore.
Resolved, AS the judgment of this House that
the maintenance inviulate of the constitutional
power OF Congress and the right of The States and
especially the right of each State to order and con-
troll Its own domestic institutions, according to IT,
own Judgment exclusively, is essential to the bal.
ance OF power Oh which the perfection and endu
rance OF our political fabric of the Federal Union
depends; and VS. denounce as among the gravest
or crimes, the invasion occupation by armed
force OF any State, under the pretext or for the
purpose OF coerclng the people thereof, to modify
or aoroeate any OF their lands or domestic institu
tlons that are consistent with the Constitution of
the United States; and affirm the principle de-
ciared IN this resolution, to be law alike to the
President aud the people of the U,d,ed States.
Mr. Grinnefl moved to lay it on the table, which
was agreed to. Yeas 90, nays Sc.
Mr. Smith, of Kentucky, submitted series of
resolutions, of which the following is the first, viz
Resolved, That as our country and the very ex-
lstence OF the best government ever instituted by
man is imperilled by the most causcess and wicked
rebellion that the world has seen, and believing os
we do that the only hope of saving the country aud
preserving this government il by the power OF the
sword we are for the most vigorous prosecution of
the war until the Constitution and laws shall be
enforced aud Obeyed in all parts Of the United
States, and to that end We oppose any nrmistice,
or intervention, Or mediation, or proposition for
peace from any quarter long as there shall be
found rebel In arms against the government; and
we ignore all party names. lines and issues and
recognize but two parties 10 this war-patriots and
traitors.
Mr Cravers moved tc lay the resolutions an the
table, which was disagreed to, so against 100.
The above resolution vas then agreed to by
vote Of 93 yeas to 81 nays.
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