Year: 1864

DELIVERED IN THE SENATE, WEDNEsDAY June 22md, 1864.

 At the conclusion of MT. FowLER's speech Mr. HODGE obtained the floor and said:

 Mr. P:esident,-S1R :-The remarks of the honorable gentleman from the 18th District have commanded my earnest attention, though they do not meet my appreciation. Coming from so high source-a gentleman of superi or abilities, of liberal education. mature in years. and sotfhlly conversant with the subject he had introduced-I had supposed after the study he had given his subject, he would have something new to offer. I think I had reason to hope that some new light would be thrown upon the subject before us; some plan propo- -sed which might bring peace and happiness once more to the people of these States.

 The gentleman has closed without, however think, leaving in the minds of his hearers a single new thought. He has made serious charges against the Administration in power, but has had no word of condemnation to offer against those in arms against us.

 Sir, am not personally desirous of making any reply to the learned gentleman, but feel that I should be racreant to my trust and false to ny constituents should 1 at this time re- main silent and offer no word in behalf of my country and its cause.

 Lord Nelson, just before the ever nemora- hle battle of Tratalgar-one of the greatest naval conflicts recorded in history-signalled his fleet Ensland expects every man to do his duty" So says country to us in this hour of ita trial. It matters not whether we be gift ed with much or little learning whether We are as learned and as eloquent as was a De- musthcnes, or as ignorant as the most unedu- cated whether we be rich or poor-rich as was CrGsus, or poor us the most needy ]; whether we be white or black-whte as the fairest Anglo Saxon. or black as 0thello, We all have duty to perform, and in our proper sphere of action we should be willing to dis charge that duty faithfully to our country. As the honorable gentleman proceeded with his address, reading from hls m6llscrpt, page after page every line oF which was plea in behalf of slavery ard treason, l could not help think ing of the brave men who are battling so nobly and fearlessly in the loyal armies of the repub lie, crimsoniny the soil with their blood that this 2ovcrnnIcnt may ba pHrpetuatcd and no star torn from the constellation set in the flag of our country. If there is anything in the -i"ns nj the times which cause the heart to -ivvrrs-tstttt eiNeS e:. .t ;s t. fact that We have those among us who, instead of lending their ait! to the government, throw the whole weight of their influence against the administration, and by their every act unh deed give hope and com!nrt to our enen!ps hou2h the number of this ciass nluv rot bs large, yet they ara sufficiently numerous tu re tard In some degree the actions ot the govern ment, give courage to the rebels and prolons the rebellion. Whatever may be thought ot the speech which the gentleman has just made. believe. no enc will claim that his remarks will tend in the slightest degree to bring this war to close. II no good was to be accom- rlished, then what Was the object of it's deliy- cry? leave the matter with the public to determine. In some particulars the language of the honorable gentleman was very similar to that used by John C. Dreckinrdye in his speech in the United States Senate seme three years sncc just before he crossed the lines and took commission under the rebel govern ment to fight against the flag of his country will not say that the gentleman has used that speech as text, or that he has even ever read it-not Q likely conclusion however-but it does appear that the two gentlemen have to a great extent, followed the same line of argu mont and arrived at precisely the same conclu. sions. suppose one object the gentleman may have had in introducing his resolution was 10 elicit discussion. Not knowing what course would be pursued in advocacy Of the resolution itself conveying little idea ef it's own meaning, if any it has, I am obliged to take tip the dsbats where rhe gentleman has left It, with no opportunity for previous consi iteration. Independent of the resolution, the gentleman is understood to assume-

 First, That the doctrine of coercion is not in accordance either with the letter or spirit of the Constitution, and that the general govern ment has no right to use military power 10 en- force obedance to the laws in States which claims to have seeded.

 Second, That the first proposition being true, the North is alone responsible for the war and all the debt and misery which have been by it created.

 Third, That the President committed a great crime in calling out and armiug troops to prevent the Capital of the nation from be- ing seized by the rebels; by his arbitrary ar rest of individuals in the loyal States and try ing them by military authority; by his inter tering with the press and by issuing and endeavoring to carry into effect his several proclamations.

 These are not all the charges brought against tuo IeSluetl, uuI are tuoSe OUly ol tNe slUSt serious character. Upon the first proposition l shall have but little to say, for feel that the subject has long since been nearly exhaust. ed. Those iE arms against the government are we'll united in favor of the theory advocat- ed by the honorable gentleman, and is it under the circumstances, at all strange that they should assume such position? The leading men of the North are nearly as we'll united in opposition to this fallacy. The gentleman finds in the North supporters of his proposition only among portion of what is known as the Democratic party. think I have right to say only portion of that party, for the gentle man knows as we'll as any one that large number who vote and act with the Democratic party believe it is the duty of the government to prosecute the war with the utmost vieor It is true that the Democratic Convention O this State in 1861 passed the following resolu ton:

 Resolred, That the pernicious doctrine o coercion to be applied to the seeding States which is now advocated and urged, is utter

 at war with the exercise of right. reason, matur

 ed judgment, and the principles of the Const

 tuition of the United States, and should b

 strongly resisted by every lover of our commo

 country. by every well wisher to the best intel

 ests Of the human race, as opposed to the pro

 gress and civilization of the age.

 us equally true that tue Hon. Origen $

 seymour, late Democratic candidate for Go, tion said "oo VI ~