The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1864-12-26
REBEL CONGRESS.
Bold Discussion of Peace.
About Peace Commissioners
Startling Speech Of H. S. Foote.

Startling Speech Of H. S. Foote.
| The proceedings of the Confederate
Congress ON Saturday are highly mpor-
tant. In the House of Representatives,
ON the resolution of Mr.. Turner, of North
Carolina, and the substitute of Mr.. Barks-
dale, of Mississippi, concerning negotia-
tions. looking tospeace. @sAfr. NJ. Mullen,
| of Virginia, having the floor, offered the
following substitute for bothprOpositions:
WHEREAS, According to the Declara-
ton of Independence of the United
States, and the Constitution of the Con-
| federate States, the people of each of
said states, in their highest sovereign
capacity. have right TO alter, amend,
| or abolish the government under which
thew live, and establish such other as
| they may deem most eXpedient; and
whereas, the people of the several Con-
federate States have thought proper to
sever their political connection with the
people and government in the United
| States, for reasons which it is not need of
here to state; and Whereas, the people OF
the Confederate States have organized a
distinct government for themselves; and
,uhereas, because the people of the Con-
federate States have thus exercised their
undoubted right in this respect the peO-
pie and governmrnt of the United States
have thought proper to make war upon
them; and phereas, there seems to be
difference of opinion on the part OF the
respective governments and people as to
which of the contending parties is re-
sponsible for the commencement of the
present war, therefore,
Resolved, That while it is incxpedient,
and would be incompatible with the dig
nifty of the Confederate States to send
commissioners to Washington city for the
purpose of securing cessation of hos
tilities, vet it would be. in the judgment
of this body, eminently proper that the
House of Representatives of the Confed-
crate States should dispatch without de-
lay to some convenient point, body OF
commissioners, thirteen i'll number, COM
posed of one representative from each of
the said states, to meet and confer with
such individuals as may be appointed by
the government of the United States, in
regard to all outstanding questions OF
difference between the two governments
and to agree, if possible, upon terms OF
lasting and honorable peace, subject to
the ratification of the respective govern
ments and of the sovereign states re.
spectively represented therein.
In the course of speech made on this
question Mr.. Mullen said:
Mr.. SPEAKER: I have given this sub
ject much reflection 1 have prepared
a preamble and resolution much more &C
ceptable to myself than any yet offered
to this House, and bespeak from gen
tlemen clear and dispassionate consid
! orp-of the last men in this House to dt
) anything to reflect discredit upon tht
! Confederate government-upon the prouo
old commonwealth of Virginia, or on the
+ district / have the honor to represent
Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from North
Carolina proposes to take some action il
relation to our patriotic soldiers now in
carcerated in northern prisons and dun.
geons, and ask the members if this i.
not subject worthy of their considera
ton and action think it is. But, sir
am opposed to sending commissioner
E to Washington city, as proposed by hi
resolution. The resolutions of the gen
tleman from Mississippi contemplate nC
action, and desire action upon them.-
admit, too, that We have said to til,
government of the United States, tim,
and again, that we are ready to negotiate
with them for peace, by President Davis
in his different messages, and by the lat'
; congressional manifesto. But here is
proposition emanating directly from TIN
people through their representatives
f fresh from the people.
Here Mr.. Adkins, of Tennessee, aske,
+ him if he believed Mr. Lincoln would en-
! tertain terms of negotiation unless upol
/ the terms indicated by himself
Mr.. Speaker, | thank my hOnOrabl
l friend from Tennessee for having aske'
4 me the question. L will say to that gen
tleman, that / understand from IN
5 friend on the right Mr.. Foote, that Ger
eral Grant has expressed willingness t
: Bishop Day, that he would receive an
u gentleman or set of commissioners, an
would invite like number from hi
government to meet ours at some pOin
I to be agreed upon, to endeavor to settl
t our difficulties But, sir, let Mr. LincOl
q reject the proposition if he pleases, W
q shall loose nothing by the effort. Bu
/ sir, it may be said that | am departin
from the constitutional mode of settlin
: such questions.
- Here Mr.. Barksdale interrupted, an
p asked the question-if his is not the OF
: ly constitutional mode.
3 Mr. Speaker, think so much of th
gentleman from Mississippi, that l wi
: always allow him to ask me a question
: / tell that gentleman that whilst his pla
r is constitutional, there are other plan
: which are not unconstitutional. / claiI
that the gentleman and myself have tn
right, as individuals, to go; and if r,
= ceived by General Grant, we could TAX
the initiative steps; or that any numberC
| gentlemen might do so; and that each {
4 the State legislatures can do so. Yes, 81
1 the Virginia legislature, now in session
q may, if they see fit, commence to neg,
l tiate, and so of any and all the States
: But, sir, | hold that the Congress of eac
government possesses the war maxim
, power, but that the treaty making pOwe
/ rests with the Senate and President of th
government, and / claim that this Hous
has the powerto appoint commissioners t
take the proper steps looking to a SETTLE
ment of our difficulties. Mr.. Sneaker.