Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-04-14
An Exciting Scene i'm COngresy

We clip the following from the proceed
ings of the U. S. House of Representatives
on Friday: ......... ......
DEBATE ON THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, and took
up the Presidents annual Message
Mr.. Long (Dem., o. made an hours
speech, in the course ofwhich he said aid
and comfort were NOT given TO the enemy by
those who were opposed to the Republican
party but by that party and tho Adminis.
tration, who, by their confscaton acts, and
proclamations of emancipation and amnesty,
and other extraordinary and unconstitntion-
al measures, were strengthening the hands
of the South, and weakening the Union
feeling in that section. He quoted from
Benton, Lincoln, Seward, Everett, John
Quincy Adams, Fillmore, and others, to
show hat coercion could not be successful
under our Republican system, and that the
last three years had proved the truth Of the
proposition. He agreed with the gentle
man from Pennsylvania (Stcvens) that the
ConfeGerates are an independent Power de
facto; that they maintained their declaration
three years by the force ofarms; and while
they have cut asundcr all the ligaments
which bound them. they have separated
from all the obligations which held them
under the Constitution. He accepted this
as true, and ifa charge of disoyalty should
be made against him for this opinion, he
would take shelter under the broad mantle
of the distinguished loader of the Republi.
can party. He would make any reasonable
sacrifice to bring back the seeded States,
but not use force, for the Union could only
exist in the hearts and with the consent of
the people. If the Democratic party were
now in power they could not restore the
Union Of the States There were only two
questions-frst, the recognition of the Con
federacy; and second, the continuation ofthe
war for the sYsjugation Of the South. OF
the two he preferred the former He be.
lieved the Democratic party were for peace,
and would bo placed in false position if
they nominated a war candidate,
Mr.. Longs hour having expired, he ask
ed few minutes longer to conclude his
speech. H
Mr.. Washburne (Ill. said-I hope the
gentleman will be allowed to finish his
speech, as it is the keynote of the Demo
cratic party for the coming election.
Cries of ''order, ORDER" from the oppo-
sition side of the House. 5000 "...
Mr.. Washburne-It means the recogui-
tion of the Southern Confederacy by for
eign power, and peace on the terms Of dis
union. .tA. .ytr iH.
Mr.. Long gained permission to finish his
speech 50 -,s-----
Mr.. Garfield (Un.. Ohio) said he remem-
bered when two armies stood face to face in
the West, that, under white Gag, he went
up to the man in the uniform of tho Con-
fedcracy, aud reached out his hand, and
told him he respected him as bravo and
honest man. Though he wore the emblsms
Of disloyalty and treason, under his vest
ments he behcld brave and honest SOUL
He (Garfeld) would re-introduce that scene,
with a change only Of person. Were there
flag OF truce, he would extend his right
hand and ask the Member who had just ad-
dressed the Committe to meet him and let
him shake hands with him, becouse he hon
ored his bravery and honesty, and because
be believed what had fallen from his lips
wero thehonest sentiments Of his heart, aud
and in his utteriug them he had made a new
epoch in the history Of the War. He had
done new thing under the sun. . hrayer
than most men can perform. He would
now ask that the white flag be taken away,
while he retursod to the Union lines and
spoke Of what his colleague had done.
What the Member said might be pictured
BY Paradise Lost" When Satan. who
had rshsllsd against the glsry Of Cob vas