The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-24

iority. The loyal people should be left
to work out their organic law in their
own way. He hoped that the bill pre-
scribing N iron, unbending rule, would
fail to become law.
Mr.. Schenck sent up to be read dis
patch, inclosed to him by tho Sccre tary
of War, from Lieutcnant~Gencral Grant,
saving tho Richmond Examiner of to-
dav states that Charleston was cvacua
ted on Tuesday.
The reading was succeeded by ap-
plause in all parts Of the House.
Mr.. Fernando Wood congratulated the
House and the country that at last was
heard the language Of Cancellation from
the Republican side Of the House.
Mr.. Garfield wished to know whether
the gentleman referred to the dispatch
lust read of the news about Charleston.
Mr.. Fernando Wood repeated he con-
graduated the country that gentleman
from Massachusetts, had uttered words
'of Cancellation, and had spoken of the
South as a great people, and used Ian
guage of kindness and respect toward
them. Heretofore we have heard threats
Of subjugation, devastation and annihila-
ton. but not before now had they heard
that those people arc entitled to any
rights, respect, or regard whatever. This
gave him more hope for his country than
anything which had yet transpired. He
considered the pending bill as infamous,
unconstitutional, and as emanating from
the worst species Of fanaticism which
ruled the majority Of the House. Be
cause certain States had done wrong in
passing their ordinances of secession, it
did not Justify us in violating the Consti-
| tuition. Congress has no power to make
conditions on which State may resume
it's position in the Union. Whenever
the people of State should lay down
their arms, and recognize the Federal
| Constitution and laws, and send repre-
sentatives to Congress, he should like to
see the power which would prevent the
return of those States.
The recent peace conference, though
it failed in it's purpose, was calculated to
give the country hope. Since then the
military position has changed. And
should they heap Goals of fire on those
now borne down into the dust, and
already weakened, and almost humbled,
imposing conditions that will render it
impossible for them to submit, having
regard to manhood and proper self-re-
spect? He was for extending the friendly
| hand to the South, and condemned the
bill as of an oppressive and tyrannical
character.
Mr.. LeBlond expressed his views about
the confscation law as subversive of the
Constitution, and also condemned the
proposed anti-slavery amendment and
the bill now under consideration. The
latter, he argued, was based on the false
assumption that the States in rebellion
are out of the Union.
| Mr.. Blow, of Missouri, spoke in favor
of emancipation, and Of its beneficial
effects upon the country; but as to tht
question of suffrage, his State must be
left to settle it in her own way, and ne
was content that Louisiana and Arkansas
should have the same privilege.
Mr.. Edgcrton, Of Indiana, said thai
John Brown received more respect II
this House than the patriotic men wht
made our system Of Government, an!
beoueathcd it to us as a priceless herr
tage. He remarked he had always beer
an anti~slavery man, but the bill be!or
the House failed to commend itself to hi
appreciation, on the ground of constltu
tionality, policy and expediency.