Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-11
CONGRESSIONAL.

WASHINGTON, March 10-The House is in Com
mittee of the Whole, nothing being in order but
general debate ON the Presidents message.
Mr.. Ortiz. of Indiana addressed the House an
hour, in defense of the course Of Congress as
against the policy of the President. He
defended Congress from the charge of dilatoriness
in legislation. The senseless clamor for speedy
action came he said. from those whose hearts had
not been on the side of the country during the
war. Slowly. surely and deliberately Congress
would pursue its work. determined to do il right,
regardless Of clamor or abuse.
He held that the legislative branch of the Gen
ersl Government WAS alone clothed with authori-
~ to recognize State Government, and this was
in accordance with the views of the people. The
Union party of Indiana had recently given ex-
preston to that sentiment in State Convention.
The people were determined that traitors should
be punished and treason made odious. That these
words should be a living reality-words of power
and majesty-and not mere figure of speech
and feeble promise made TO the ear-that
he should endeayor TO hug treason and traitors
to his bosom and turn his back on thoee who ele-
waited him to power. and forget in the delusion of
that power to the sacred principles on which he
was elected. He proceeded to show that the re-
constructed Government was no evidence Of 10y
atty TO the Government.
Referring TO the test oath. he declared that the
last traitor in the South should sleep the sleep of
death before that should be taken from the statute
book.
Mr.. Stevens obtained the floor. He commenced
by apologi1inE to the House for the lameness of
the remarks which he would make. and especially
for their intimations 1t would be remembered
at the opening Of the session, he (Stevens) had
made some remarks on the condition of the coun-
try. which had been replied TO by the gentleman
from New York Mr.. Raymond,) and the gentle
man from Ohio. tMr. Delano). A recess had fol-
lowed and when Congress had reassembled for
business on the Sth Of January. he (Stevens) had
proposed some reply. and had obtained the floor
for the purpose Of making it. but on that occasion
the gentleman from Western Virginia. Uatham)
desired 10 make speech he yielded and had
never since been able to retain it for general de-
bate and as IL had been intimated to him that
his time had come. lie had dug up the old man
uscript. and although the contents had been ali
said By himself and Others long since, he did not
wish to lose the paper. and would read what be
proposed on that occasion.
Mr.. Stevens then went on 10 read his manuscript
which was devoted to Strengthening his position
In regard to the status OF the rebel States Re
ferrng TO the position some journals had assigned
to him. Of hostility to the President he said those
journals had done him much honor and he would
now say once for all that instead Of feeling per
sOnal amnesty towards the President. he feli
sreaATegsrd and respect for him. He honored his
intessity and his courage and his good intentions
The President had stood too firmly TO the Union
in the Eiest Of dangers and sacrifices to allow
him (Steyens) to doubt the purity Of his