The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-02-26
WASHINGTON, Feb. "a, 1865.
SENATE.
The Senate is not in session to-day.
nnTJoE

| w ASHlSGIONS feD. 2<t9 4ooOs
| SENATE.
The Senate is not in session to-day.
HOUSE.
The House went into Committee of
the Whole.
Mr.. Clark, of Ohio, submitted his
views on the subject of reconstruction.
He did not consider it important to ar
que the question of dead or living States,
but to look forward to such measures
rs are requisite to restore at the earliest
practicable day these States to their
original harmonious relations as faith
full and loyal States of the Union, with
all the rights and immunities of the
most favored States, insisting upon
such rs demanded admission that they
establish unquestionable loyalty in
their Representatives and constituent
cy. He was willing to vote for the ad-
mission of Tennessee and Arkansas at
any time when the Committee shall
submit the question to the House, un3
less unexpected Developments should
show these States unqualified for such
admission. He proceeded in liberal
and temperate, yet firm view to adyo-
cato distinct manifestation of loyalty
as the chief requisite of reconstruction
of the States, and said their representa-
tives sent here must be loyal men, who
can take the oath required of members
of Congress.
Mr.. Plants, of Ohio, next addressed
the House. In the opening of his re-
marks he alluded to the amendments
| of the Constitution, and declared that
it needed modification as the nation
progressed, though the progress OF the
country could not be restricted
even If the constitution was amended.
The constitution was the result of the
ideas of more than eighty years, while
the constitution of England was the
outgrowth of a thousand years. While
| the democrats were in power they de-
liberntelys perverted the constitution to
\ UNFOLD the interests of slavery. lie
| Welded to no one in his admiration of
| the constitution, but he did not submit
to every Interpretation of it. The evil
| of the compromises with slavery were
| now apparent. The agitation otthe ne
gro question on the democratic side
served only the interests of political
men. The leaders of the rebellion were
| The leaders OF the democratic party, and
when they went into rebellion they
counted on and received the support OF
the northern branch of that party, and
to-day the democratic party are respon-
sible for all the outrageS in the South,
and for the obstacles in the way of a
restoration of the Union. They seemed
| 10 possess the ingenuity of tiends in en-
dorsing these outrages and establishing
these obstacles. He said that he had
full faith in the wisdom and patriotism
of Congress with or without the aid of
the President, and concluded his speech
with II perorotion on the future of the
country rs established on the broad
basis of freedom.
Mr.. Beaman, of Mich, was the next
speaker. He said that in April last the
country was electrified by the declara-
ton of Andrew Johnson that treasoh
was n crime and must be made odtous,
and that mercy to the individual was
treason to the State. These sentiments
met the appreciation of all OF the loyal
North, but for expressing the same
sentiments now we are denounced as
fanatical and even as traitors. he
would ask, who were the men thus
abusing us for those opinions, and
whom they were when armed bands
were being raised to put down rebel
lion, when Vallandigham was arrested
and when the writ of habeas corpus
was suspended? They were the same
men who cried peace in 1868 and 1864, at
the sacrifice of the national honor.
There was nothing he so much desired
as the admission of the Southern States,
hut he was not willing to effect that END
without receiving II guarantee OF the
good faith and loyalty of their people
to this government. Inc democrats
| who were so lately yillifying and ira
| ducing the President were now his
champions and admirers.
Mr. Beaman then proceeded to show
that the so-called Southern loyalty
consisted mainly in hating the Govern
ment, in killing Union men and IN
abusing the freedmen; west Ienh l1ss,
see was prima facia disloyal. She had
passed an ordinance of secession and
been without representation here since
1868. and the greater portion of her peo-
ple were disloyal, though admitting
that the State government was
loyal. He then read evidence 11 70
show that there was disloyal
sentiment existing in Middle and West
ern Tennessee, and that Union soldiers
were indicted by rebel grand juries for
acts committed as long ago as when
Gen. Rosser was in that State, 1t was
the duty of Congress to protect the loyal
men OF Tennessee, but Congress had
the higher duty of defending the ma
tional. welfare. Mr.. Beaman then read
nm extract from the Knoxville Wing, OF
the 14th inst, stating that the loyal men
of East Tennessee stood by the radical
party in Congress, and that the repels
of the South supported PRESIDENT Johlc
son. Mr.. Beaman said that this ex-
tract came from Governor Brownlow's
| organ, and he did not think that 1t was
| n very strong recommendation Tor the
| representative ofTennessee in Congress.
Mr.. Beaman concluded his speech by
saving that the question here rose about
authority and power, ana ne Won .lSl, MOI 70!
consent now TO the representation In
Congress- of the million of rebels now
in the insurrectionory States.
Mr.. Bromwell, of Illinois, next al;
| dressed the House. "All loyal men,
he said, "agreed that there should be
some guarantee obtained from the PEG
pie of the insurrectionary districts who
had been overcome by the Union, arms.
He contendedth that the whole question be-
lonUeCi in the hands ofcongress. Het then
proceeded TO elaborate the argumentthat
| The insurgent States had forfeited some
of their rights by the violation or the
cornpact which made them members OF
the federal Union. The naked question
| before this Congress WINS whether these
| States were living, actual states, OF
whether they were territories within an
area subject to the control ofthe United
States. The issue was If the compact
had been violated could the violators
OF the compact return to all of theii
rights under it. He commended that
Aiabamaa and other Southern Suites ilnd
violated the compact and thereby for
feited their, rights in it of projection
i Affer some further remarks. MI. NJ 'kee
i OF Ky.,, obtained the floor and at foul
1 O'Clock the House adjourned.
"a, COMBINATIONS BY the senate.
iWasH1HsToN, Feb. 23.-The Senate
To-day confirmed the appointments Of
a large number of Brigadier and Brevei
IiAIaior Generals of, volunteers, giving
among them Charles Griffin, George a.
4 Custnr, Henry E. Davis, James H.EWil-
1 son, Francis @. Barton, Genactorn