Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-12-01
THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS.
a Proposition Condemna'ory Of Secession,

In the Confederate House OF Representatives. on the
25th instant Mr. j. T. Leach, OF North Carolina. offered
the following preamble and resolutions;
Whereas the unrendly unjustifable, and ulpatriotic
interference Of citizens Of the nonslavehodng States ia
their popular assemblies from the pulpit and by legislative
enactuen with the reserved rights of the States provided
in tie Constitution of the United States and by the laws
of Congress- has been the prolific of cruel bloody
and relentless that has no parallel In point Of atrocy
in the annals Of the world between people protesting the
Christian religion;
And whereas the citizens of the Slave States at an an
guarded moment under the influence Of usoiss counsel
oiho elaboration to the fearful consegnsnces
made the election of Abraham Lincon to the Presidency
Of the United States the occasion for precpatiDR the
Confederate States out of the Union which has been fol-
lowed by train of fearful consequences not conten
plated by those who advocated the measure:
And whereas we the representatives. OF the people of
the Confederate States desiring to place ourselves fairly
before constituents, enemies and the civilized
world, declare that it earnest desire that proper
should be adopted by the respective Govern
ments to honorable just, and permanent peace
not Incompatible with the principles laid down in the Con.
sttuton OF the United States with the inaiisnsbe
rights of freemen:
Resred That the reserved rights OF the States shoud
be guarded with watchfu and jealous vigilance and that
attempt to infringe upon those rights should be resisted
by all lawful and proper means.
Res0red That whenever the Government Of the United
States shall signify its willingness TO recognise the reserved
rights OF the States, and guarantee TO the citizens of the
States their rghts Of property as provided in the Const
tuition OF the United States and the laws of Congress-o
the ed that peace may be restored and future hap
piness and prosperity Psrpetuaedwe will agree to treat
for aud that such terms Of prsce may be agreed
to by conmisoners appointed by the respective Govern
ments, or By the States acting 10 their v.regn and indie
pendent character and ratified by majority of the peo-
pe .ha constitute the bond Of peace between the North
and the South.
Mr. LEACH said Mr.. Speaker, the resolutions that
hoa in my hand and that propose to read by the per
mission Of the Chair not intended apple Of dis
a l. n Il A. A.
dscord In midst. All ask 10 that they may have
calm careful uDprejudiced hearing do not offer them
unadvisedy have consulted my friends TO the pro.
priey Of Introducing them, vel az the proper time and
crcum tauces There Is different opinion the pro-
prieiy Of lime and circumstances / do not Offer taem
for the purpose Of Strengthening tbs Of the enemy
That has been efecu,y done By the Pres dent Ia his
speech Macon (Ga aud -eo uslly strengthened
by the Governors VI tho Conf dcTate States aud The Pres
dent When they tho II negroes ders
10 the Confederate army do not offer them for the
purpose Of di'courssOg our heroic soldiers who have
brayed the ea6en bali OF death upon the bloody bsttle
feld believe will know that Ihey are
fighting for somelhCg moro d. ar 10 them than the negro
offer them because believe there something practical in
them oer them because satisfied that my coDstitu
ents both citizens and soldiers desire honorable peace
ofsr them teosuse saiafsd that the prayers of
Christians statesmen, and patriots have been poule out
for peace and that the great heart Of the nation 10 pusa
ina for peace ofHr them because know that war 10
relentless crus blind monster, killing where he cannot
make alive aud reupDs where be be, not sown.
Border states" IN his resolutions, the ordnspces of
secession ha7ios been adopted 10 ths Cotton States"
long before the Border states" went out The latter
acted under the pressure circumstances over which they
had no control.
Mr. Montague Of Virginia. said be did not design saying
anything wbea be entered the hall to-day but he un
willing TO let the resolution, Of tho gentleman from North
Carolina pass without protest. He reviewed them
eloqueny and earnestly and moved that they rejected
Mr. Leach asked that the vote DO taken BY yeas and
nays and the House seemed to rise simultaneously
tam the call.
The roll being called, all the members voted 10 the
Affirmative exespt Messrs Fuller j. M Leach, j. I.
Lesch, Logao, Ramsey and Turneral Of North Carolina
Messrs. Fuller, Ramsey, and M Leach, after the vote
announced asked leave to change their votes a. they
had voted 10 the negative under the apprehension that Il
would be regarded az 'scourtesy to an honorable col
league.
Their votes were, with the consent Of the House. re.
corded in the Affirmative
Mr. j Leach stated that be knew there was no mem
Der on the hJor from North Carolina who desired peace
upon any other terms than eternal separation from the
North Applause the galleries. which was checked BY
the Chair
On motion Of Mr. Russell the House went into secret
session