Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-08-16
QDbtl1o,t 10. State!sfn1(aprl..
Chapter From the Forthcoming Volume Now
- being Published by Appletms. Pre-
EIGHT YEARS IN CONGRESS-
Memori and Speeches.
BY s. 8. cox.

Memoir and Speeches.
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Liaira .'H ,lr L-- I3 'i"Hu sr.s ...
It was my intention, In this volume, to
| have prefixed to the speeches such recOl-
| lections connected with the rise and pro-
gress Of our civil war as would illustrate
| Its motive and life. Especially did intend
| to sketch those inner political facts and
| scenes which my position enabled me to
observe. But the volume would be too
| much enlarged by their elaboration. 1t
| would require volume by itself to connect
| with the recorded facts such memorabilia.
| Their recital would give personal interest
| and piquancy to these historic events; but
/ that labor must be reserved. 1t would
| scarcely be kind, now that the leaders Of
| the rebellion are under the ban, and many
| Of them incarcerated, to add any thing to
| the reprobation which they have received,
or to The letters which weigh them down.
| Is it Ossian, or, some other writer (the SEN
timent hardly belongs, to our own times),
who says that while we should be tide OF
| many streams against the enemies Of our
country, we should be as zephyr upon the
grass toward fallen foe? would emulate
that Christian philosophy, not only in writ
lUg DuU all dCJluSs w nllC
that occurred during the winter of 1S60-'6l,
| it would be generous now only to record
the inclinations and efforts of those under
condemnation who then endeavored to stay
| the madness of secession. g
| One thing is remarkable as connected with
that Congress. For weeks nay months, the
| Southern leaders in the Senate and House
openly proclaimed their doctrine of seces-
sion, argued the abstract and practical
questions connected with such movements,
with great formality and solemnity, pre-
sented their ordinances of secession, and
under their sanctions withdrew. This was
done in the presence of excited and awe
struck audiences. 1t was done with all the
graces of impassioned and polished elo-
quence. - T.
| Terribly beautiful the serpentlay.
| Wreathed like coronet of gold and Jewels.
1t was done, without that protest from any
one of the Republican members which their
present temper would seem to have requir-
ed. One by one the States thus became un-
represented and not word, except some
times debate on the abstract right to Sc
cede, or tacit acknowledgment that it was
best for the time. No attempt was made
to arrest any one, if we may except an af-
tidavit by some person of no.consequence,
and whose name cannot now be recalled,
on the basis of which he vainly urged an
arrest of Davis and others for treason
Even so prominent Republican as Lieut.
Governor Stanton, of Ohio, to say nothing
of his namesake the Secretary of War, MIR.
Greeley and Mr.. Chase abetted this move
ment by proposing no constraint upon the
ldeparting sisters.
These facts, as the forerunners of the
mighty conflict of arms, would be inexpli-
cable did we not remember that from De-
cember, 1860, until March, 1861, there wa.
a hope, as Douglas and Crittenden tele-
graphed to Georgia, that "the rights of the
South and of every State and section would
be protected in the Union"
The first efforts at compromise were by
no means confined to the Democratic Sena-
tors and Members. Governor Corwin, Mr.
Adams, Mr.. Edward Joy Morris and Others
in the House; Senators Cameron, Baker
Dixon, Foster, Collamer and others in the
Senate, were, at the beginning of the ses'
sion, and for some time afterward, regarded
as not Indifferent to a compromise which
would at least retain the border States, if il
did not stop the movement in the Gul
States.
The thirty-sixth Congress was unusually
gifted. Especially were the Southern States
represented by their most experienced anC
able men. They hoped that the step they
were about to take would be bloodless
that their array in strength, and with tht
mein of resistance, would prevent coercion
by arms. Even so late as the secession o
Texas, after Judge Reagan, one of its Rep
resentatives, had LETT his seat, he took pains
to inform ME, that he thought the Soutf
would be out only for season, and tha
when the excitement subsided, and especial
ly if any guarantees were given of the pro
lection of their rights, they would return. Ii
this, how signally abilityan experienc,
failed to discern the future! Mankind gen
orally reckon the greatness of men by sue
cess. II this be the touchstone, the vaunt
ed. craftsmanship of the South vanishes.-
But what company of conspicuous names
answered to the roll-call on the 9th of De
cember, 1860! ..t rl.
At the head stands John G. Breckenridge
offering his name, so proudly connected
with the history OF Kentucky, to the task o
dismembering the Democratic party, which
had once so honored him. He was anon.
the last to leave his home to take the swor(
for the South. Now he is fugitive upol
English soil, pleading with his stricken
confederates to do the best by submission
to Federal rule. Foremost in influence, |
not in rank, is jefferson Davis; how theI
unlike that Davis who, in Maine, but few
years before, had spoken nobly for th,
Union; and how unlike that Davis, th,
captive of the Michigan cavalry, and thu
prisoner at Fortress Monroe! His Stat,
was not among the foremost to secede. Sh,
waited until the 9th of January, 1861, befor,
passing her ordinance, and her Senator
fingered until the 21st before they with
drew 1t is generally credited among thos
i who were familiar with Mr.. Davis inclina
tions, that even after the ordinance passeC
Il he was anxious to remain. There isindub
4 table evidence that while In the Committe,
Of Thirteen he was willing to accept tn,
compromise of Mr. Crittenden, and reced,
from secession. That compromise failed
because, as Senator Hale said, on the 1stl
of December, 1850, the day it was intro.
duced, it was determined the controvers,
i should not be settled In Congress. WheT
H it failed, the hero of Buena Vista became
/ the Confederate leader. Much as he is un.
derrated now by Southern men who op.
i posed him during the war, he was fitted tc
be the leader of Just such a revolt. Every
revolution has fabulous or actual hero
conformable to the local situation, manners
and character of the people who rise. Tt
a rtsticIpeople like the Swiss, William Tell
with his cross-bow and the apple; to an as
piring race like the Americans, Washing.
ton, with his sword and the law, are, a.
Lamartine once said, the symbols standing
erect at the cradles of these two distinct
Liberties! Jefferson Davis, naughty, self
willed, and persistent, full of martial ardol