The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-12-05

Gentlemen 81 the House Of ReOrese,fo,
tfUes:-The re-assembling of Congress,
marking, as 1t does the procession %
our national history, Is always regarded
with interest by the people for whom i
| is to legisIate, but IL Is mot nnsRFa "a
say that millions more than ever beforI
| North, South, East and West, are look,
ing to the Congress which opens its
hrst session to-day, with an earnestnes,
and sohcitude uneaualled on similar oc.
casions lin the past. The Thirty.
Eighth Congress closed its constitutional
existence with the storm cloud o.
war still looming over us, and
amer "a nine months absence
congress resumes lfts legislative dif-
thor1ty in these council halls, rejoicing
that from shore to shore in our land
there Is peace. Its duties are as Obvi-
Gus as the sure pathway in the heavens,
representing in its two branches the
States and the people. Its first and
highest. obligation is to guarantee to
every States republican form of rYOy,
eminent. The rebellion having been
overthrown the Constitutional State
governments in many States rs YOURS
to mature, and enact legislation Which
will meet the .concurrence of such a
degree OF enduring Justice MS will guar
antee all necessary Safeguards to the
people and afford what our magma char
tn, the Declaration of Independence
proclaims the chief object of the, gov
ernment Is projection to an men in
their Individual rights. (AppIause.)
Inc world should witness In this great
work the most infexibTe fidelity, the
most earnest DEVOTION TO the principles
OF liberty and humanity the truest
patriotism and the wisest AtatesInRn-
ship. Men by the hundreds of tli6us-
ands have died that the republic might
live. The emblems of mourning have
n fNn IN 4 Al.
cabin alike; but thefires of civil war
have melted everyfetter in the land and
prove the funeral pyre of slavery, 1t
is for you Representatives to do your
work as faithfully and as well us did
the fearless saviors of the Union in their
dangerousa arena ofduty. Then we may
hope to see the vacant and once abaIi-
doned seats around us gradually filling
up, until this hall shall contain repre-
Sentatives from every state and district.
their hearts devoted to the Union which
they aretO legislate, jealous of its honor,
proud of its glory, watchful of its rights
and hostile to its enemies, and the stars
on our banner that paled when the
States they represent arrayed them
selves in arms against the nation will
shine with more brilliant light of
loyalty than ever before. TApplause.1
Evoking the guidance of him who
holds the destinies of nations in the
hollow of his hand, 1 enter anew upon
the duties of this trying position with
heart filed with gratitude to you for
the unusually tiattering manner in
which ithas been bestowed, and cheered
by the hope that it betokens your cor
dial support and assistance in all its
grave responsibilities.
l am now ready-tO take the oath of
Office prescribed by law.
The speaker took the oath of Office
and afterwards administered it to the
members, who were called up by dele.
cations. l5lEit M tBT-rESl-f
A resolution was then adopted decIar-
ing Mr.. Mcpherson Clerk, Mr.. Ordway
Sergeant-at-arms, Mr.. Goodman, Door
keeper, and Mr.. Given, Postmaster,
until their successors shall, be duly
qualified. - L y II =
The yeas and yays were ordered on
the resolution, with the following re-
suit: Yeas 135, nays IS.
The officers of the House were then
sworn in. NIX
Mr.. Thaddeus Stevens, of Pa, offered
a bill which was approved in the repuh-
lican caucus, for the appointment of n
committee to examine and report whe-
Their any of the so-cAlled Confederate
States are entitled to representation in
Congress.
Mr.. Eldridge objected to the introduce
ton of the bill.
Mr.. Stevens moved to suspend the
rules. q y ~
The motion was agreed to and the
bill was introduced. r.-rTTyfrllt
Mr.: Dawson moved to lay the bill on
The House refused to lay the bill, on
the table, and the bill MS Introduced by
Mr.. Stevens was then passed by the
following vote; Ayes 123; NAYS SO,
The House then adjourned.