Year: 1864




The Yankee Congress and ftS Measures Relating


to the War and Peace.


Next in interest to the war news is the Yankee
congress at Washington. Such is the interest to
know the sentiment and temper of that BODY in
regard to the prosecution Of the war; that we en-.
brace under one head the different war measures and
propositions that have been brought forward in the
BODY, with the vote on the same: These cannot be
other than interesting from the fact that they ara
the best medium We have through which to sscer.
tam what the feeling of the people of the North
really is in relation 10 the war.


The following resolutions were introduced BY q
member from Indiana:


WHEREAS, The proclamations of the President
OF january, 1853, and December g. 1853 in relation
TO emancipation, impose conditions Of pardon and
amnesty to persons who have participated in the
existing rebellion, as well conditions precedent
TO the establishment and reorganization OF State
Governments in the States to which said proclama-
hons apply, which, in the judgment Of large
number Of faithful citizens has tendency to give
the rebellion the advantage Of changed issue and
to renvgorate the otherwise declining insurrection
in the South and to prolong the war; aud


g." WHEREAS, This House cannot but regard with
anxiety the unprecedented and extraordinary claims
and assumption of high prerogative by the Presi.
dent in said proclamation, especially in view of the
TACT that the President in his inaugural address OF
the 4th OF March, 1851, declared: i have no pur-
pose directly or indirectly to interfere with the
institution in the States where it exists believe
Ehaye no right to do so, aud have no inclination
to do so;' therefore,


ResolUed As the judgment of this House, that the
maintenance nViolae of the constitutional power of
Congress and the right Of the States and especially
the right of each State to order and control it's own
domestic institutions, according to its own Judgment
exclusively, is essential to the balance of power on
which the perfection and endurance of our political
fabric of the Federal Union depends; and we de-
nOunce, as among the gravest of crimes the inva-
sion or occupation by armed force of any State
under the pretext or for the purpose of coercng the
people thereof to modify or abrogate any of their
laws or domestic institutions that are consistent
with the Constitution of the United States and
we affirm the principle declared in this resolution
to be law alike to the President and the people of
the United States"


Mr.. Ginnell moved to lay it on the table which
was agreed to-ayes 80, nays 66.


Mr. Smith, of Kentucky, submitted q series of
resolutions, of which the following is the first viz


"RssOLoed, That as our country and the very ex-
istence of the best government ever instituted by
man is imperilled by the most causeess and wicked
rebellion that the world has seen, and believing as
we do that the only hope of saving the country and
preserving this government is by the power of the
sword we are for the most vigorous prosecution of
the war until the Constitution and laws shall be
forced and obeyed in all parts of the United States
and to that end we oppose any armiStice, or inter-
yenton, or mediation proposition for peace, from
any quarter so long there shall be found rebel
in arms against the government; and we ignore all
party Names lines and issues, and recognize but two
parties in this war-patriots and traitors"


Mr. CraVens moved to lay the resolutions on the
table, which was disagreed to-60 against 100.


The above resolution was tl0n agreed to by q
vote of SO ayes to "a noes.


The vote was next taken on Mr.. Smiths reSolu-
tion which was as follows:


"Resolged, That we hold it to be the duty Of
Congress to pass all necessary bills to supply.
and money, and the duty of the people to render
every aid in their power to the constituted author
tiles of the government in crushing out the rebel
lion"


This resolution was agreed to by 152 ayes-only
one vote against it


In the debate on an appropriation asked for by
the War Department. Mr.. Harding, of Kentucky,
offered proviso that no part of the money thus
appropriated should be used for the raising arming
and equipping of negro soldiers. The amendment
was rejected-ayes Al, noes 1o6.


Mr.. Yeaman, of Kentucky, has introduced a series
of resolutions to the effect that the citizens of any
State in rebellion" may, at any time, resume their
civil government. The House referred the resotu-
tions, with any action, to the COMMITTEE on the
Rebellious States"


Mr.. Ashley of Ohio, has introduced bill to
provide that provisional governments may be es-
tablished by the people where the military power
has bdued the rebellious men in the seeded
States.