Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-03-10
side had treated the rebellion as if it had

side had treated the rebellion as If it lad
been brought on by the North.
Judge FL. read some very pertinent extracts
from the address of Mr., HUMPHREYS, of Ala
bama, addressed to the people of that State,
showing the manner in which the South was
precipitated into rebellion. He also read
from the Richmond Eaquirer, showing that
the organ of jeff. Davis avowed that the OBJ
iect of the rebellion was to build up govern
ment based on slavery. The gentlemen who
had spoken here against the pending resolu-
tons, had devoted the time to praising these
rebels, and abusing those who are assailing
them, not willingly, but to defend the
country. ------.-..
The speaker referred to the humiliation of
the Northern Democracy up to the breaking
out of the war. After having borne so much
are we to be condemned now that we follow
Douglas, and stand by the government. What
protects US tonight Nothing but the bright
bayonets and swords of our gallant army, and
those flaming messengers of death which they
sent into the ranks of the foe along the from
tier. He was not afraid of war. His father
poured out his blood on the battlefield of
Brandywine, and it was our duty to lay down
our lives TO preserve the government our
fathers formed. He was for war until this
accursed rebellion is put down by the sword
Then he would grant generous amnesty to
the Masses but to the leaders halter
The speaker then alluded to the concilia-
tory policy first adopted towards the South,
and it's failure. While the war continued to
be conducted in manner that was weaken
ing and depopulating the North and doing
no injury to the South, the gentleman from
Dane and such Democrats as he, say they
sustained the Administration. Such a war
fare would soon have ruined us. At length
the people demanded that war, real war,
should be made. Then it was that Abraham
Lincoln thought it wise and necessary to lay
| his hand on the corner stone of the rebellion.
The speaker said he did not have Lincoln
| on the brain, but he respected him for his
good sense; he thanked him for trying to
save the country and for summoning the black
man to the aid of the country. He (Mr. II.
did not think the negro very handsome or
| very sweet; but he admired him, and honor
ed him for his fidelity and his bravery proved
| on many fields. He honored him for another
and most noble manifestation recently made
When a hundred Union officers recently es-
capped from Libby Prison, not one of them
was betrayed by negro, but many of them
were taken and fed, and secreted, and con-
| veyed in peril and at the hazard of the lives
the faithful blacks, through the enemy's lines
in safety. Applause. aa
Mr.. II. briefly and eloqueHtly vindicated
the conduct of Gen. Butler, who if not a
handsome man, was "a loyal and patriotic one.
He (the speaker) wished he could say as
much of some who, calling themselves demo-
Gratis, assail him. He closed with thanking
the House for their patience in hearing him
at so late an hour, adding that he believed he
had been talking On the side of the country,
and in support Of an able, patriotic, faithful
administration, the chief fault of which, in
his opinion, was that it had not been as ener-
getic and severe in it's dealings with rebels,
and rebel sympathizers as he wished it had
been. ..H . a- f- ....s
Mr.. BINGHAM called for the previous
question. ~. -.. .......r ..' ~.
Mr.. GEISSE made, personal explanation.
saying that when he spoke of advising his
constituents to arm, he was somewhat excit-
ed, but that he only intended to advise them
to arm against secret armed society which
had been tolerated in his district for the
past two years.
Mr.. GEO. B. SMITH, by unanimous con-
| sent, was allowed to speak briefly, and made
some personal explanations declaring that
Mr.. BARRY had assailed the Administration
only few days before more violently than
he (Mr. S. had done to-day, and explaining
that the reason he had not said more against
the rebellion was because he was not
| making speech on that subject, but in re-
gard to the Administration. -e......
The previous question was then ordered,
| and the House receded from it's non-concur-
| renee with the Senate amendment-ayes At !;
| noes 25. ..s... -.... -.