The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-06-19
CONGRESSIONAL
WASHINGTON, June IL.
HOUSE.

Mr.. Grlnnell, rising TO aeoate, the res
%olutiou went over under the rule.
Mr.. Ancona offered the following pre-.
amble and resolutions:
WHEREAS, The Irish people and their
brothers and friends in this country are
moved by a patriotic purpose to assert the
independence and re-establish the nation
atty of Ireland; and
WHEREAS, The active sympathies Of
the people Of the United States are natu-
rally with all men who, struggle to
achieve such ends, more especially when
those engaged therein are the known
friends Of our Government, as are the
people of the Irish race, they having
shed their blood in defense of our flag in
every battle of every war in which the re.
public has been engaged; and
WHEREAS. The British Government
against which they are struggling, is en-.
titled to no other or greater considera.
ton, from the United States as a nation,
than that demanded by the strict letter Of
international law, for the reason shat du-
ring our late civil war, that Government
did, in effect, by its conduct, repeal its
neutrality laws; and,
WHEREAS, When reparation is deman.
ded for damages to our commerce, result.
ing from the wilisul neglect of Great
Britain to enforce the same, she denies al
res ponsibility and claims to be judge in
her own cause, and
WHEREAS, The existence OF the neu-
trality law Of 1918 compels the Execu.
tive Department of this Government to
discriminate most harshly against these
who have ever been and are now oul
friends, in favor of those who have been
faithless, not only to the general princi-
Piles of comfy which should exist between
friendly States, but also to the written law
of their own nation on this subject; there.
fore, be it
Resolved, That the Committee on For
eign Affairs be instructed to report a bill
repeating an act approved April 20, 1878,
lit being the neutrality law, under the
terms of which the Presidents preclama-
ton against the Fenians was issued.
Mr.. Hall moved to lay the preamble
and resolution on the table.
Mr.. Rogers, of New Jersey, demanded
the yeas and nays upon that motion.
Mr.. Banks, of Massachusetts, Mr.. Viii.
son, of Iowa, and other members sought
to offer suggestions, but Mr.. Ancona hav-
ing moved the previous question, refused
to accept the suggestions. He, however.
modified his resolution so as to make il
read, that the Committee on Foreign At
fairs be instructed to inquire into the ex-
pediency of reporting such a bill.
The House refused to lay the resolu-
ton on the table by a vote Of 4 yeas to
113 nays.
The yeas were Messrs. Cobb, Davis,
Hale and Grinnell.
Mr.. Grinnell stated that he voted yea
because he understood the resolution to
be a reproof to the Administration.
The House refused to second the de-
mand for the previous question,
Mr.. Schenck then offered the following
as a substitute for the resolution, and de-
manded. the previous question:
Resolved, That the President of the
United States, in the opinion of the
House, should reconsider the policy which
has been adopted by him as between the
British Government and that portion Of
the people who were, in the name If Fe-
man, struggling for their independence,
and that he be requested to adopt, as
nearly as possible, that exact course Of
proceeding which was pursued by the
Government of Great Britain in the civil
war with this country, between the Uni
ted States and rebels in revolt, recogniz.
ing both as lawful belligerents, and obser.
wing between them a strict neutrality.
Mr.. Harding, of Illinois, sent to the
Clerks desk to be read what he desired
to submit as a substitute for both propo.
s%itions, declaring that the action of the
Government in REFRESHING the Fenian In
vasion is u~ngenerous and disgraceful.
Mr.. Schenck declined to allow the sub.
~stitute of Mr.. Harding to be offered.
Mr.. Banks asked Mr.. Schenck to yield
to a motion to refer the resolutions and
substitute to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, providing that if referred the
Committee would make a report.
Mr.. Schenck yielded for that purpose,
and Mr.. Banks submitted the motion.
The previous question was then secon-
ded.
Mr.. Hale moved to lay the resolution
and substitute on the table.
The motion was lost by yeas s nays
113.
Mr.. Hale offered an amendment as a
sort of compromise.
The question was taken on the refer
ence of the original resolution and Mr..
Schenck's substitute to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and this was agreed to by
yeas 81 nays "a.
Mr.. Hale, subsequently, as a personal
explanation, sent up and had read the
resolution which he had proposed to offer
as a.compromise, as follows:
ResoIued, That the honor and good
faith of the United States imperAtively
demand a Just and vigorous enforcement
of the neutrality laws, and that this
House will entertain no proposition look
ing to their repeal, revision or violation.
NORTHERN MEN IN THE SoUTH.-Bre-
vet Rricadier General A. l.. Quincy, for