The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-01-21
NUMBER IS.

enemy, to resort to every laudabls
and proper effort to give peace to dis
tracted and bleeding country by negotia-
ton. On the contrary, the statesman
who would refuse to do this is . hideous
moral deformity. v
When Mr.. Orr had finished reading
the foregoing,
Mr. Lester. Of Georgis, moved TO sus-
pend the rules in order TO allow him 20
Introduce the following resolution
Whereas, on the 14th Of this month,
there appeared in the columns Of the
Richmond Sentinel correspondents
over the signature Of "Q," and headed
with the words, "TreasoI, Treason,
Treason" printed in conspicuous capi-.
tails, and marked with points Of excla-
nation, in which the writer announced
that it was rumored on the street that
there was resolution before Congress,
in secret session, to "open irregular me-
gotiations, through commissioners, with
Lincoln for peace and asserting that
such proceed ing was "not only trea-
son, but, under the circumstances,
treachery of the most infamous charac-
ter" and avowing that "the people Of
Virginia certainly" and, in the opinion
of the writer, 1.-THE people Of the Con- :
federacy generally, would, not allow
themselves to be sold by traitorous Con-
gressmen after this fashion,;
And whereas, the said correspondence
was accompanied by an approving edi-
torial, Characterised by the same tone and
spirit as the correspondence itself;
And whereas, the said correspondence
and editorial, headed and paraded as
aforesaid, are calculated to mislead the
public judgment, and, in their temper and
spirit, impute to Congress folly, disloy-
atty, treason and treachery; beft there
fore
Reso1red, That, so far as the state
ments and imputations contained in the
said correspondence and editorial were
intended to apply to this branch Of
Congress, they are false in fact and in
ference; are an Infringement of the
privileges of it's members; and merit the
emphatic rebuke and unqualified denun-
cations Of this House.
The motion to suspend, to allow the
introduction of the resolution, result
ed-ayes, 80; noes, 3G.
A two. thirds vote being required to
suspend the rules, the resolution was not
introduced.
When this was announced, felt ex-
tremely indignant. You will appreciate
nv feelings when l say that, being .
member of the assailed committee, look
ing 2pon the House as the natural guar.
dian of that committee, and Of oil its
committees, expected protection, and
not abandonment go
Immediately determined to withdraw
from the House, not willing to sit there
under the shadow of an impeachment.
In pursuance of this determination, l
said:
Mr.. Speaker, should not, myself,
have paid any attention to the article in
the cntiuyz / should have allowed It
to pass in silence, as have ever made
it rule of action to let editors alone.
But the vote of this House, in refusing
to allow the introduction Of the resolu-
ton of the gentleman from Georgia (hr.
Lester places this matter in more se~
rious aspect consider that vote as, to
! some extent, endorsing the Sentinel. As
!, long as that vote stands as the sense Of
, this body, can take no part in it's deli
D berations. say this in perfect respect
4 to the members here; and do not wisl!
/ nv withdrawal to be considered as at all
: contemptuous, but dictated solely by that
e selfrespect. which feel, and by which
: l have, through life, endeavored to be 60
G vcrned.
Z accordingly Withdrew from the House
and have not since attended its meetings
$ appreciate the delicacy Of my posi-
G ton; and, holding myself as responsible
: to you alone for my course on the occa-
sion, expect to return home as soon =
4 I can close up my business here, ant
S will hold myself ready to act in accord
!. ance to your wishes.
: The article in the Sentinel did not re
), fer to ne in person, or to any indlyidna
n member Of the House, but wasa sweep
!. ing chscge against those members G
# Congress who favored the proposed peac
: measure. What that measure Is, Tar
e e not a. liberty to say but, as your =
5. preventative, l am under the deePes
n conviction that there are not one hnndre
of men in the district who would object
it, have the honor to Be
Your obedient servant,
9 w. r. Sxj1n.
y - RlcaxoND, January 20, 1865.