Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-02-05
speech Of DR.. Fielding.


FREE's resolutions, censuring the Demo
cratic Congfessmen from Ohio, for voting
against GREEN CLAY SsTrH's perpetual war
resolution, being under consideration, DR..
FIELDING said
Mr.. SPEAKER: | had not intended to adj
dress the House on the question now pend
ing. But, sir, when young men like the
gentleman from Perry, denounce the DEM
Ocratic members upon this floor rs bald
headed traitors, l feel disposed to remark 70
that gentleman, and the House. that the on.
Iy instance on record Of such unwarranted
assumption of youth, in remarking upon
the effects of age, Is graphically as well as
tragically recorded in the Sacred Volume.
1t was when a humber Of youth tauntingly
said to the Prophet Elijah: "Go up bald
head;" and some forty Of these contemners
were rent to pieces by. a bear. "0ld men
for counsel and young men for war;" Is as
trite as true. If this young gentleman Is so
anxious for more vigorous prosecution of
this war, would recommend him to go in
to the service and show his sincerity. Mr..
Speaker, did not the Democratic members
who are denounced by this resolution now
under consideration, vote for the second res
olution of Green Clay Smith, and does not
this resolution pledge to the Government all
the men and the money it may demand to
sustain it in all constitutional measures to
put down this rebellion? What more do
gentlemen want? Is there treason IN that?
, I, Sir, could vote for part even of the LIST
resolution of the gentleman from Kentucky
that part which declares that in this war,
there are but ''two parties"-"Patriots. and
Traitors" / agree to that, sir, cordially.
But, sir, who are the traitors? Treason
4 l.. 111 s..Nn NM
/ sentiments. Moral treason consists In hos
! tile feelings to the Constitution and Union
( of our Fathers. And sir, the man, who has
sworn to support the Constitution, and yet
will tramplc upon, or disregard its sacred
provisions, is traitor to the best govern
ment ever devised by man.
! Mr.. Speaker, what would it avail. If
! stand up here from morningun night, and
| shout: jeff. Davis is a traitOrl jeff. Davis Is
traitor! Would that suppress this insur-
rection? Well, sir, the members of Congress
| from Ohie, whom these resolutions denounce
have voted for the only possible method to
put.sdown this rebellion. Why then de-
| nounce them? 'fu
Sir, lam willing to vote millions of money
and of men. if need be, TO put down resist
/ ance to the laws to maintain tho Constitu-
! ton, and to restore the States to all Their
u TlBubo VI sOtClSiSuIy anu ihuOPOhuOtfee
= butsirnota dollar or man to subjugate OF
annihilate a sovereign State. Now, sir
these States are one, and you cannot make
war upon State, o part of the very body
of the Union. You may, sir, and will aid
YOU to compelthose who are against the au.
thority of the Constitution and enemies o.
the Union, to submit to the laws, by taking
the sword in one hand and the olive branch
in the other. But sir, the sword is not the
only means to restore this Union. Sir
thirty-five years ago, took solemn oath
to maintain and support this Constitution
j as a member of this House, and from thai
moment until now, my heart has never pul.
sated one throb but in accordance with and
in patriotic devotion TO it, and the Union Of
i our Fathers. And, sir, am not willing to
! denounce the Democratic members in Con-
gress as traitors, for doing what they be-
lieve is the only way to suppress this re-
bellion, and the only way IN which, j be-
1ieve, the Union can be restored. Iv0ted
for one of them, and shall most cheerfully
vote for him again, If spared, regardless OF
the denunciation heaped upon them by the
resolutions.