Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-03-14
Scenes in the House.

4
On Friday last Mr-Wood, Of New York, of
fered the following resolution, which, after de-
bate, was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations:
Pesolred. That this House extends its SYM
pathy to the people of Ireland IN their pending
struggle for constitutional liberty. If the dcs-
potic governments Of Europe shall be allowed
To establish monarchical institutions in Ameri-
ca. 50 should the United States foster and pro-
mote the extension Of republican institutions
to Europe.
Mr.. Banks remarked that the naked express
sion Of sympathy for ireland amounted to very
little. There was not a member of the House
who did not entertain that sentiment as strong
" as the gentleman from New York. But the
resolution was coupled with other questions af-
fccting the interests of the country. and which
should be considered by the Committee on For
eign Affairs He should ask the House to con-
sent TO the immediate appointmeutof that COM
mittcc by the Speaker. lie thereupon offered
the following resolution:
Bes0lred, That. lii view Of events transpiring
on the northern frontier o. the United States,
it is expedient that the standing CoTmittee on
Foreign Affairs shall be now apr Juted by the
Speaker, for the purpose ii considering the
foreign relations of the United States
Mr.. Banks. in Offering the resolution, said
that bill had recently come before the House OF
Lords in England, contemplating the establish
ment Of m empire in the British provinces,
which might hereafter surpaSs in power that of
England herself, or might equal that Of the l.
nited States, or, as had been well said by its
mover, be second only 10 that of Russia. The
Legislature Of Maine, more interested in the
movement than any other State, had through
its Committee on Federal Relations. made re-
port adverse to that project, which report he
would ask TO have read TO the House. The
stage into which that bill had passed in the
House Of Lords was the most important ofany
of the stages through which bills pass, mas
much as all its fundamental principles were
in consideration lie did not doubt that the
people Of this country would look with intense
solicitUdc upon the progress of this great move
ment in the British provinces, which contem-
plated the establishment Of an empire founded
on monarchical principles, so framed as to con-
troll tire public opinion, and which could not
fail to have in the future material, If not a
controlling influence and power over the affairs
Of the American continent.
Mr.. Eldridge remarked that it seemed IA
ther inopportune for this country to be protest
ing against the establishment Of an empire,
when Congress had Just placed under military
rule ten of our own States. 1t seemed to him
that our circumstances would have much more
force and effect if we were to wait until we had
the Republic restored, and until these States
were relieved from the despotic rule under
which the late Congress had placed them.
After discussion the resolution was adopted.
Very apt was the reminder of Mr. Eldridge.
We subvert the governments Of ten Of our own
States, and then raise our voices in holy horror
at the mere idea of monarchy on the Ameri-
can continent What mockery What an
insult to the friends of Republican institutions
everywhere!