Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-03-05

application being received, In Denail OI the
British Government.
The head central council have issued or
ders to the brotherhood to act in strict &C
cordance with the United States neutrality
laws.
The meeting at Jones Wood tomorrow
is expected to lie largely attended. Eight
stands for speakers are to be erected on the
ground.
John r. Negle has resigned centre tor
the district OF Manhattan,on acnount of pro-
fessional duties.
Congressional Proceedings.
WASHINGTON, March 3-HousE-The
House sat in committee of the whoe on the
Presidents message. A general debate was
the only thing in order. There was not a
score OF members in the hall while the jour
nal was being read, and the audience in the
gallery was correspondingly slim. No sort
of interest was taken in the proceedings
Among the reports OF a private character
made yesterday was one by Mr.. Washburne
Of Massachusetts, from the Committee on
Claims, adversely on petitions for damages
arising from the raids made in July, 1854.
BY the rebels in the vicinity of Fort Stevens,
Washington, and an adverse report by Mr.
Sloan, from the Committee on the House
bill, to provide for ascertaining and adjusting
the claims against the Government for the
injury or destruction of property by th.
armies oil the United States or by the militia
~ authorities during the late rebellion.
Mr. Mckee, OF Kentucky, then proceeded
| to- address the House at length in support OF
| the amendment to the Constitution, which
was introduced on the 10th of February
and which had been referred to the Judicia
nv Committee, providing. that no person
should be qualified to hold the office OF
| President or Vice President of The United
States, or of Senator or Representatives III
the national Congress, or any Office held un
der appoinme from the President and re
| quiring the confirmation of the Senate. OIL
| who had held Office, civil or military, under
| the late confederacy, or who had voluntarily
| aided tie rebellion, or who should hereafter
be guilty OF similar offences.
! Mr.. Mckee, in considering the policy o
The President, asked by what power he i'm
| ,osed an oath upon voters at election by
what authority did he say to the Legislator,
II . sovereign State, You must ratify til,
constitutional amendment before ] accep
you as being in proper relation to the Uni
ted States, over which II reside." On wha
law did h. proceed to or,ier convention L
remodel the Constitution Of State whicl
had never lost its power, and then say Il
that convention, you must regulate you
war debt and abolish slavery before you re
sumo your place IN the Union Mr. Mckee
said he made no war upon the President 10
these acts, they were questions for his new
~ acquired supporters 10 reconcile to hem
selves, but he would scorn the most costly
jewel OF the earth if pu. on his head by on,
] who had plucked 1t from the crown in which
-. had been set. Mr. Mckee, continuing
said BY the law martial the Prcsiden. cx
ercistd these powers. These were matter
| which the representatives of the people il
the national Congress had the right 10 pas
| upon. It belonged to them t. detcrmin.
when auh how the rebel States should 70
sumo their proper relations in the Unitet
States. Mr.. Mckees speech was principal,
rectcd 10 a criticism Of the President s pol
| icy. In the same tone he advocated til,
adoption of the amendment proposed b,
him, as a proper punishment to rebels, max
| ing them infamous in the eyes of the Law
and putting the loyal stamp of condemna
ton upon them.
Mr.. Loan of Missouri next addressed the
House. He argued that the Union of tho
States and the existence of the nation were
two distinct things. The Union of the States
might be destroyed without effecting the
existence OF the nation. When the eleven
Southern States entered into rebellion and
inaugurated civil war, the Union OF the
States was de facto dissolved just as much al
II the rebels had proved victors and
had held no political position since their re-
volt except that of rebellious subjects. H
commended they should not he restored Il
their former condition in the Union unit
the political power in those States wer.
confined exclusively in the hands of Iowa
citizens, till equal rights and principles were
extended TO all their inhabitants, until tbeil
people gave evidence of hatred to the rebel
lion, and love OF the Republic. until rebe]
sentiment rebel banners and rebel deb. were
repudiated, and until the love Of Justice. law
and order was so firmly established in the
minds OF the people IS to give unquestiona
Die assurances Of endeavoring to BRING
about peace. Then, but not till then, would
he vote to readmit them into the Union.
MI. Thornton, Of Ills, next addressed the
House The great question to be settled wal
IN one view question Of union or tlisunion
ana IN another view question of centrslixet
uespotlsm 40 National Government. II
Inc states that ATTEMPTED TO sccede were on,
or the Union, eitsler in fact or in lsw
.hen TIE power o: tie General Government
being re-establishe,. th,y were eu;isl d !,
b represented in Congress. If a state conf
De reduced TO territory rs a runisbmrp
for rebellion. as well might a rcfrac,or,
otate DC reduced to a territorial condition fo,
slighter offence. Any act OF Legislation
declaring States to be territories would vim
late the Constitution. Such An ACT vo,i,
max the Government ~ destructive nj H.
liberties OF the people az il secession had
been successful. The States must stsrd 80
| gethef or the United States V,rulI 10Y