The New York herald., 1868-06-10
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WASHINGTON, June o, 1868

session and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
WASHINGTON, June 9, 1868.
RECEPTION OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY.
The House assembled at eleven O'Clock. an hour
earlier than the usual time for meeting, that being
the hour fixed for the Official reception OF the Chi
nese Embassy. The attendance Of members was
very large, and the galleries were crowded with
spectators. The members of the Senate did not
respond to the invitation TO be present.
The SPEAKER called the House to order at eleven
appointment Of Mr.. Brooks. of New York, on the
Sew 9ork wno detained home on
account Of Illness The reading OF the
journal will be suspended when the doorkeeper
shall announce the presence OF the committee Of
the House OF Representatives with the Chinese En-
bassy. In coming to the principal door, down the
area towards the Speakers DESK the House OF Repre-
sentatives will receive them standing. Before the
formal presentation takes place the Chair will an
nOunce the period at which the members will resume
their seats by single stroke OF the gavel and after
the presentation the Committee OF the House of Re-
presentatives will introduce the Embassy to the
members individually who desire to be introduced.
The Clerk then proceeded with the reading Of the
journal of yesterday, but In about five minutes the
| Sergeant-at-Arms announced the presence at the
principal door OF the Committee OF the House OF Re-
representatives. with the Chinese Embassy.
The committee and the Embassy advanced up the
main aisle Mr.. Schenck escorting Mr.. Burlingame,
Mr.. Banks escOrting Chih Tajen and Mr.. Brooks
| cOrtng Sun Tajen The other members OF the En-
bassy followed and oil took their positions facing
the Speaker In the area The Speaker by stroke OF
who had been on their feet as the Embassy entered
should resume their seats.
Mr.. ScnENCK then said-Mr. Speaker the COM
mttee charged by your appointment with that duty,
have the honor TO present now to the House Of
| Representatives his Excelency Anson Burngame
and their Excelencies his assistants Of the Chinese
| Embassy.
THE sPEAKEs's ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
The SPEAKER, rising, pronounced his speech Of
welcome In the following words
YOUR ExCELLENCIEs-The House OF Representa-
tivcs nermits Its ordinary abOrs to-day to receive
In this hall the Embassy which the Oldest nation Of
the world has commissioned to America and Europe,
and in the name Of the people OF the United States
area from the Bay OF Fundy to the granite portals
OF the Golden State we turn our faces from the
fatherand of Europe to clasp hands In closer rea-
tions than ever before with those who come to US
| from that continent which was the birthplace Of
mankind. Nor does it lessen our pleasure That the
membership here io diplomatic duties abroad,
! 30 won the confidence Of his Imperial
he Returned to our midst honorsd, with his dIssn
| guished associates as the custodians Of the most
remarkable trust ever committed by an emperor to
| his ENJOYS. This Embassy OF the Chinese empire,
| which has attracted such universal attention, has
been hailed throughout our land not only as mark
ing onward step in the worlds history. but as
being Of peculiar interest to this republic With our
Western States fronting the same Pacific sea on
which the millions Of China have looked ages before
our country was born into the family OF nations,
with our Pacific Railroad rapidly approaching COM
and e hW
commerce between Asia and Europe with our pos
sessions on the Pacific slope nearest Of all the
you came, we hail your appearance at this
capital as the augury OF closer commercial and in
a greeting wherever you may CO. on the Thames and
the Seine, the Danube and the Rhine the Baltic and
the Adrlatc, give you again an earnest and heart
MR.. BURLINGAME's RESPONSE.
| Mr. BURLINGAME responded to the Speakers ad.
dress OF welcome as foOws:-
| MIR. SPEAKER-On behalf Of my associates and my
self thank you for this and unusual reception
| 1t transcends all personal compliment; it is the
cident and the Orient for the first time in that cleo
trc contact whose touch makes the whole world KIM
1t Is the meeting OF vw0 civilizations which have
hitherto revoved in separate spheres; 1t is mighty
revolution. Let us hope, sir, that 1t will 60 ON
without those cOnvulsiOns which are too apt
to mark great changes In human affairs :
let US hope that it will be achieved without the she'd
we came not with the beat Of the drum nor marital
tread Though Though representing the latent power Of
good Will; we seek for China that equality without
which nations and men are degraded. We seek moi
only the good OF China but We seek your good and
the good OF all mankind We do this in no sentimena
sense. We would be practical the tolling millions
whom we represent. We invite you to q broader
trade; we invite you to a more Intimate examination
OF the structure Of Chinese civilizations we invite you
l to better appreciation OF the manners OF
that people their temperance, their patience, their
| tions, their high culture OF tea and silk and
we shall ask for them from you modern science
memory Of man and tbe HoIy Doctrines " Of onG 'ue
Christian faith. 1t is for the West to say what our
reception shall be- 1t IL for the West to say whether
or not it was sincere when it continued for a long
time to invite China to more intimate relations with
1t; 1t Is for the West to say whether 1t Is for fair
and open policy for one founded on prejudice and
on that assumption OF superiority which Is justified
neither by physical ability nor by moral elevation.
The people Of the United states have responded
House and through their Speaker with a
unanimity and a nobility OF sentiment which make
me proud Of the civilization in which WAS Was
reared, and glad TO see IL passed In review by the
scholars and statesmen Of China. trust sir, that
the American people will abide by that sentiment
and do hope that 1t is but In earnest of that spirit
which will meet us on the shores OF the distant seas
sir. have named. Thanking the House for this re,
cepton and you, sir for the elictous and able man.
ner In which you have expressed its welcome we
await further action as the proprieties of the
occasion may require. applause and clappnc of
bands by the members on the floor and by spectators
In the galleries.)
PRESENTATION OF THE Embassy TO MEMBERS OF THE
HOUSE.
The individual presentation OF the members of the
House to the members OF the Chinese embassy then
took place. II was gone through with in good hu
mored informal style some Of the Younger Ceestias
sonaly occupying themselves giving autographs to
All the presentations having taken p,ace tho mann.
bers Of the embassy took their seats on chairs ranged
IN the area, and the House went on with the b,si.
twelve O'CLOCK the signal Of @ deparSre % was nay ayea a.
and the embassy escorted by the Committed left the
hail. the members Of the House paying IL the respect
OF standing up as II retired.
=. DIVISION OF TEXAS INTO TWO STATES
Mr.. BEAMAN, lrep.) OF Mich, from the Committee |
on Reconstruction, reported bill to erect two addi
tional states out Of the territory of the State OF
Texas. Ordered TO be printed and recommitted.
INAUGURATION OF STATE oFrIcERs IN SOUTHERN /
- STATES.
Mr.. PAINE, lrepJ Of Wis., from the same commit
Tee reported back the bill to provide for the inaugu-
ration OF state Officers In Arkansas North Carolina.
south Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama, |
and Tor the meeting Of the legislatures OF those |
states tCopy OF bill supplied with yesterdays pro-
ceedings)
Mr. BROOKS, tdem.) OF N. Y. made a prief protest
against the whole system Of legislation OF which this
bin is part.
The bfI was then passed by party vote--yeas ils,
nays 81.
ExECurrvs COMMUNICATIONS.
The SPEAKER presented several executive cOmmu- i
oicaHOns, inclpdIns ono nom the Secretary Of war,