Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-01-14

X.
diately succeeding the reading of the Irtb-
,,ne's article on the Blair mission TO Rich
niond:
Now my friend from Pennsylvania char
acterizes the author Of that publication as
distinguished and able patriot. He does not
even now, after hearing the editorial read,
Withdraw that expression from Mr.. Gree
lev. Yet for holding and propagating the
same opinions held by the delegates who
met at Chicago and nominated General Nc
Clellan; held by my colleague (Mr. Pendle-
tom who was on the ticket with him, enun
ciated in the letter of acceptance OF General
Mcclellan when he spoke of 'eXhausting All
the resources of statesmanship practiced Dy
civilized nations and taught by the tradl-
tions of the American people consistent
with the honor and interests OF the country,
to secure peace and re- establish the Union;'
enunciated in that letter with even more
emphasis and distinctness than i'll the plat
form adopted at Chicago, and whose trans
cript in letter and spirit is to be found In
the very language OF the editor of the New
York Tribune for entertaining and stating
these Christian and statesmanlike sehti-
! ments, the gentleman from Pennsylvanll
regards a Republican as a distinguished
patriot, but a Democrat as traltorous
''cupperhead." Why does not the gentle
man, who is always bold and defiant In his
expression, denounce THAT editor who is
now conferring with his brother KepuDll-
cans about peace? Why does he not have
the rules of the House read and drive him
as an interloper from this chamber! Laugh
teri Why does he confer with Mr.. Blair,
the suppositious ambassador, who, even
now as speak, is also present in the cham
ber? Why are We all in conference here,
so suspiciously near and traternal, if it is
not to carry out the very ideas promulgat-
ed at Chicago, and for which one milliop
seven hundred and fifty thousand people in
this country gave their patriotic votes!
What answer can the gentleman from
Pennsylvania make? None, unless he
heaps reproaches upon his own party and
the very able, distinguished, and patriotic
elector, who will cast his vote for MIR. Linz
coin, or unless he withdraws the unhand-
some language used by him toward the
Democratic party and its nominees. MIR.
Chairman, am not insensible to the appeal
of the gentleman from Pennsylvania. |
answer his appeal in the name of God and
humanity TO vote for the abolition amend
ment by beseeching him, in the first place,
before he asks us to disturb our political
system and the established order, and to
change the old ideas and forms connected
with municipal liberty, and the legislation
of domestic matters by State sovereignty
before he asks us to change the organic law
of this land tor seventy years. beseech
him that he will at least try to ascertain,
formally or informally, whether there is
any hope OF these insurgent States yet III
most formidable, consuming, and hagranG
war, returning to tile established aud
rightfully constituted Government" be-
seech this in the name OF CIVILIZATION ana
Christianity--God and humanity l pray
for it OH behalf of nearly two million whlte
men. who have voted these enlightened
sentiments, Do you tell me that you VIII
olly hear from Mr.. Davis that he will only
stand ON the independence of his Republic? ?
Very well, let US hear that. 1t will be un-
welcome: but let us know it. There is a
million of people who believe that Davis
, and the men associated with him would
treat upon the basis of the old Union, or at
least that however negotiations might be-
gin, they would thus terminate. / do not
say that | believe it. | do not say that
members upon this side believe it; but
say, in the language of this able, distin-
guished, and patriotic editor, let us at least
/" take some means to ascertain that TACT.
Let us discard punctilio and reach the fact.
No harm can come from its ascertanment.
III the Confederate President refuses to con-
Constitution and old Union; if he will not
help to re-establish peace upon the old or
der, or at least as near to it as the passion
and strife of men have made it possible and
practicable, will not our knowledge of that
fact inspire amore healthtul and united SEN
timent among the people, even If 1t do not
influence our votes upon the amendment as
to slavery? Therefore, ask the gentleman
from Pennsylvania whether it would not
have been best, before he makes these pa
thetic appeals in the name Of the Father of
men and the God of humanity to have made
an attempt by Christian and rational meth
odsHtp stanch the bleeding wounds of the
bodysbolitic, to save the shedding of blood,
to stop the increase of taxation, the accu-
mutation of debt, the destruction of values,
and the everlasting iteration OF penal laws
on our federal statute, to stay, If possible,
the manning and killing of men, and the
tears of widows and orphans, the desolatlon
by fire and sword of our land, and to save,
oh! yes, before it is too late forever, to save
the Union while it may be worth the sacri-
fees made Tor its salvation. viii he not
give up something on his part? Giveup his
doctrine of negro-equality? Give up his
idea of breaking down State institutions by
federal law!
Mr.. Stevens-The gentleman will allow
me to stay that l never held to that doc
trine of negro equality.
Mr.. CoxSThen understand the gentle
man from Pennsylvania not to hold that all
men are created equal!
Mr.. Stevens-Yes, sir, but not equality in
all things-simply before the laws, nothing
else.
Mr.. Cox-I ask the gentleman to give up
his idea of the equality of the black and
white races before the law.
Mr.. Stevens-I won't do 1t. Laughter.
Mr.. Cox-When you make such touching
appeals as you have just made to us, inayI
not ask you in return, in the name of the
white race of America, to- yield something
on your part and in their behalf?
Mr.. Chairman, did intend thisImorning,
had the eopportunity offered, to present some
resolutions. have them here, drawn up
in the language of the "patriotic, able, and
distinguished" editor of The New York
Tribu,,e. shall offer them at convenient
opportunity. would not deprive gentle
men upon the other side of chance to show
their civilization, their Christianity, their
hatred of rapine, desolation and bl0odshed,
their love for the Union and the Constitu-
tion, by voting for at least some effort, as
Mr.. Greeley recommends, to ascertain the
disposition of the insurgent States. l am
not clear as to the best mode to ascertain
this disposition. Perhaps it would be best
to send the honorable Mr.. Blair and his
venerable father to Richmond. Perhaps it
would be best to send the distinguished
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Ste
vens).
Mr.. Stevens-Oh, no; I do not think l
would get back. tLaughter.l
Mr.. Cox-I do not know. The GENTLE
man has such persuasive way. lie can