The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1864-02-27
February Is, 1864.

February Is, 1864.
I noticed the fact yesterday that Mr..
Richards of Dubuque had made strong
speech in opposition to the resolution
recommending the entire abolition and
prohibition Of slavery throughout the
United States. Well, he was answered
by Mr.. Russell, of Washington and if
one man ever received a thorough and
complete scourging at the hands of an
other, that man was the gentleman from
Dubuque, during the remarks Of Mr..
Russell, who delivered the ablest argu
ment, and best speech, that | have had
the pleasure of listening to during the
session. He commenced by explaining
the character Of the resolution under
consideration, and showing its entire
compatibility with the geniEs Of our in
situations; he then dwelt at some length
upon the evils Of slavery, its evil effects
upon the nation, and is irreconci!able
hostility to- and incompatibiEty with the
spirit of free government; his remarks
throughout were able, argumentative,
and patriotic, and some Of his sentences
were truly loquent-touched with the
finest feeling few Of these l remember
as worthy of preservation: Mr.. Richards,
in the course of his remarks, took occa-
sion to say that his home was in Iowa
he had lived and expected to die here;
his interests were all here, his boy was
here, and would remain here. In reply
to this remark Mr.. Russell said With
the gentleman from Dubuque can say
my home Is here, and like the gentle
man, I have boy, but Mr., Chairman,
my 10y is not here, and I thank God he is
not but he stands to-day where he
should stand-where he has stood for the
past three years-away beyond the Dor
ders of our peaceful home, in the front
ranks of the army of freedom, fighting
the battles of his country" A more
whitening rebuke never heard. Again,
in reply to a remark by Mr.. Richards,
that the new converts to Abolitioni m
were much more rabid and radical than
the old time advocates Of the principle,
Mr.. Russell said: This remark Of the
gentleman is not applicable to my case;
espoused this cause long ago-long be-
fore any man would have been tolerated
in advocating such principles in the leg
islative halls of even the free States OF
this Union; sixteen years ago left the
victorious ranks of dominant party in
which occupied no mean position, and
without hope of political Preferment or
popularity, but actuated only by sense
ofiustice and right, | cast myself upon
the left wing of the forlorn hope OF lib
erty!" The first applause that have
heard in the Legislature, greeted the
gentleman from Washington in his re-
marks yesterday; the hall was full Of
people but during the whole of the gen.
tleman's speech everything was so quiet
that you might have heard pin fall, ex'
cept during an occasional spontaneous
cheer which grave and orderly men found
themselves unable to suppress.
The resolution to which have refer
red was under consideration in commit
tse of the whole house during all OF yes
terday afternoon, and till near eleven
o'clock. when committee arose and a'ked
leave to sit Tuesday evening. 50 slavery
has not yet been abolished.
Col. NUrT was in the city yesterday
aud spent the afternoon in the House.
= learning how they do it," and sup
pose made sufficient observation to ena-
BILE him to go into the law-making, bust
ness himself, when he goes home
Havn't seen him to-day-think he left
for ohieaso this morning. Judge STREET