, 1864-09-23

speech of Hon. S. S. Cox.

The constituents of Hon. S. S. Cox of Ohio
gave him a reception his return from Con-
gress a few weeks ago at Columbus, and he
made a speech on the occasion, the following
synopsis of which is taken from the Columbus
Statesman, of July 29th:
Mr.. Cox said that in the warm welcome he
had met with he had more than a compensa-
ton for all the taunts and insults which he had
received in his absence. When his name was
announced for Speaker in Congress, the CALLER
ies-made up of shoddies and placemen, who
clean and lick The platters of power-had hissed
it, as better men before had been hissed. But
he could rejoice in all such contumely, for he
remembered that he represented the worthy peo-
pie of a Democratic county, which had en-
dorsed him after six years of trial, by nearly
z, 400 majority that he hailed from city which
in casting 1924 votes gave him nearly two
thirds of them, and that he was endorsed by
such friends as now surrounded him. who in
this old Fifth Ward alone, gave him 738 out of
their S4S votes He was glad to be again in
their midst, afar from the corruption, Terrorism
trifing, tyranny and despotism, which have
made the Capital so infamous.
He would prefer this evening, instead of set
speech, to give without COMMENT narraUlye Ur
the action of Congress, that the people may be
advised whether he had faithfully represented
them l am so used to speaking across the hall,
firing at an antagonist, that find it difficult to
talk without some provocation; so that if any
one questions my votes or conduct, | shall be
glad to hear him and answer all that may be
asked.
A Voice.-What about the 5000 clause?
Mr. Cox-I had not intended to omit that in
my remarks, and will come to it in order
(Cheers.)
The Congress which has just adjourned, had
not even the good opinion of its friends. He
could justify the votes he gave by the testimony
of Republicans, who repudiated its action. The
organ of the Republican party of New York
the Albany Evening Jounal-in speaking ofthis
Congress, said 1T is doubtful if any Con-
gress ever sat- did so little that was WISE and so
much that was foolish" (Cheers and laughter
Yet am called in question by some, because
protested against its wisdom and opposed its
foolishness. The majority of that body was Gre
ated by military interference in Border States,
and was an unfit representation of the American
people. They elected Mr.. Cofax Speaker, who
had descended from it to move to expel mem
Der for uttering his honest convictions.
Mr. Cox then reviewed the main points of in
terest in COngress-the cOnfscation amendment,
which the House passed, and the Senate reject
ed; the Freeman's Bureau, to divide the lands
among the negroes, to create little black gov
ernments in Bureau inside of the old white
government. (Laughter.) He referred to the
rejection of Senator Willey's plan to care for
cussed the attempt to create bogus States by
proclamation and legislayion-the bill for re-
construction pOcketed by the President in Or
der to save the electoral votes Of Arkansas aud
Louisiana for himself, where his one-tenth sys-
TEN has been started; the attempt to make new
States in the far West, to give Mr.. Lincoln per-
manency in power; the attempted amendment
of the Constitution to abolish slavery in the
States, he considered as injudicious as it was
fha mi To he
sought for the raising of troops and the various
CALLS the utter failure and resultless character
of all the military campaigns, under the suici-
dal policy of the Administration. He showed
how the cOmmutatiOn clause was repealed, how
they voted down his (Alr. Cox's) proposition for
a call upon the States under the Constitution;
how they voted down his proposition to repeal
both Communication and substitution, but adopted
in its stead a proposition more odious than the
commutation; which latter did allow exemption
to a man with $500, and was that far PROPOSE
ton against involuntary servitude of white men.
(Cheers.) The present plan allows exemption
to him only who is rich enough to buy sub
stitute, at whatever cost. 1t is therefore harsher
than the old law. (Cheers, and cries of "that S
so.") If conscription was just and legal, it
ought to be based on principle and every man
ought to go, on his manhood and not be exempt
ed on his money. (Cheers.) 1t is only when
the sons of Lincoln, Everett, and your million
aires are compelled to go, that such men will
begin to pause about the '1ast man and last
dollar, about which they talk SO layishly. The
call of the 18th of July, for 100000 will not
only tax the patience and fortitude of the people
but will tax their property and labor three hun
dred millions more. He then considered the fl
nancial condition. The tariff raised for the ben
eft Of a few thausand millions of dollars but
not fifty millions will go from it into the treas
ury. The rest goes to fatten manufacturing
New England, so as to allow her to send to the
rebel States to buy up all the negroes they can
not steal (laughter) to shield their precious
blood (Cheers } The tariff is worse swim
die than the tax bill we can see and feel the
one and only indirectly feel the other. Take
the article of steel.
/ An Irishman.--Isn't the article of stealing
plenty at Washington? (Laughteu) 90 la
! Mr. Cox.-There is ample protection given tc
! the articIa thara ! heliaZa LLaunhtarA Ent