•s though wo should remain here forever.
Viewed in the light of death and •■eterni
ty, of what moment seem thcs« .tilings of
«arth! llow little and insignificant ap
pear the influences that wove HS! Could
we interrogate onr .fineid now and ask
which of all the characters we ascribe to
him, brought hia the most favor at the
bar of Heaven, would he not answer that
of Christian. Hoi tjieenlightened, use
ful and honored public man—Dot the pat
riot nor philanthropist, even; but the
earnest, sincere Itnd humble follower of
Christ who is ■esteemed there.
This voice of warning—this solemu
admonitioß, gentlamen, have been ad
dressed to us. One of our number has
been called away, and none of us know
how sonn we must follow. Let us hear
ken to it, and so fashion onr lives, and
■direct our course, that when death comes
—even should it come as unexpectedly as
"it did to him of whom 1 speak, we may.
like him, be fully prepared, aril in the
last hour be able to express our perfect
confidence of heaveijly bliss.
My friend and father! may T be euabled
to emulate thy virtues and follow in thy
steps! And oh! when the stern sum
mons comes, may I. like tliee. be found
ready—leaving behind me. thou hast
done, a name which none can eensere.but
all must praise.
Mr. Speaker, I offer the fo lowing res
olutions:
Resolved. That this House has hcar;l
with deep regret, the announcement of
the death of the Him. Kobart Jt. Reed,
a member from Washington county.
]{< solved, That iit his death the Com
monwealth bus lost an able and faithful
representative, and this House one of its
most useful and accomplished members.
Resolved, That We deeply sympathize
with theiilHiotcd family of the deceased,
aod bear to them the assurance that the
esteem of his follow members was as fully
merited as freely given.
Resolved, That as a mark <T respect to
his memory, the members of I his llousu
will wear the usual fcpdgo of mourning
thirty days.
Resolved, That the Clerk .112 the llousc
be directed to forward a c; • 112 these
resolutions to the family cf the deccns
cd.
Retolved, That out of reaped to liL
memory this House do now adjourn.
The resolutions were r, :el a second
time.
Mr. Quay. Mr. Speaker, having been
elected from the saute district with Mr.
Heed—a district in which he was widely
known and respected—it is, perhaps, not
improper that 1 should join with my col
league, who has enjoyed bh fellowship
tfpon this floor, in offering tribute to his
memory. Though it was not my privi
lege to bo officially associated with him
here, our private relation- were such -is to
toach me his worth. No one, indeed, I
think, could encounter him, however
cursorily, in the ordinary intercourse of
life, and failed to recognize amenities
which went to perfect his character as a
pure-hearted christ an gentleman. It
was as such that I knew him, and when
I was told that the hand of the Almighty
had rested upon him, L felt that a just
and good man had gone to his final re
ward.
As my Las - mentioned, he
represented the counties of Beaver and
Washington in the National Oongrc l --",
and but a brief period previous to his
decease, hud been selected to represent
them here. As a citizen, a legislator, a
christian and a friend to the country, he
enjoyed in the highest degree, the conti
deuce and esteem of their people. As a
citizen he was prompt in the discharge
of his civic duties, active ia the ad
vancement of the industrial, educational
and financial interests of his community,
and an earnest and liberal supporter of
the puplic charities of the day. -Vs a
legislator, we knew him to be able and
incorruptible. JIo aimed here, as else
where, only at the efficient discharge of
his duty, and no member upon this floor
pursued more unselfishly than he the in
terest of the Coinmonwoaith and his con
stituency. And to bis native intellect
and integrity, his benevolence of heart
and devotion to duty, wore superadded
that implicit faith in the divine truth
and constant regard lor it- teachings,
which embellish the best of charac
ters.
In the great struggle now convulsing
the nation, it was his fate to suffer sore
bereavement; 'but the dispensation which
sealed his senses to its clanging arms and
battle-smoko, its triumphs, its burdens
and its liouurs, could have Jalluu upon no
one rcade.s to sutler and sacrifice to the
uttermost that the right might pre
vail.
It is impossible that before the close of
the prosent session, we may assemble here
to look upon another chair, aud to listen
again to the announcement that the Des
troyer has passed again through our
midst. -Could I know that the messenger
of Death was already commissioned- to
one of us, the devest wish of my heart
to him would be that he might leave the
world with as puro a record, official and
private, as warm a place in the affections
of his people,-as little to regret in life
past, and as much to hope in the future,
as had the late member iroin Washing
ion. *
Mr. Negley. Mr. Speaker, the virtues
•and -character of I)r. Reed have beeu so
beautifully expressed by his colleague,
that I almost hesitate to add anything;
but I desire to express uiy sorrow for the
great loss we have sustained in the death
of our late fol'ow-juomber, and to add my
testimony to his public and private
worth.
It seldom becomes the duty of this
House to mourn the loss of such.a man
as Robert R. Reed, and it is fitting we
should pay tribute to his memory. Cus
tom indeed would require respect from us
on the occasion of the death of any
member of the body, but in the loss of so
good n man, we have special cause of
grief. Who that served with him here
during last sessiou does not know the
purity of his mind, the benevolence of
liis heart, the .honesty of his purpose, the
high character he bore in all aespects ?
Conscientious in the discharge of public
tra«l. it would indeed be well if our leg
islative halls were tilled with tiiore such
as he was. All kuew and spoke of him
sui the upright and fearless man, the hen
est Itepresantative. He may be said to
hava sustained that high standard of
character raised by the old Horn an—he
was " above suspicion." On his dying
bed he might with perfect truth have ex
claimed in the language of one of old,
"In simplicity and sincerity I have had
my conversation among men."
Hcsides all this personal excellence of
character; Dr. Reed was a man of more
than ordinary education and attainments.
He was a ripe scholaj. a man of great lit
erary taste and acquirements, of refined
sentiment and cultivated mind; yet nat
urally very modest, unassuming and
unambitious. In a word, he may be ta
ken as the correct model of a real gentle
man.
When a few days ago I saw the an
nouncement of his death, it was with un
usual regret. I was reluctantly compell
ed to believe it. From my boyhood, I
may say, I have known him, and the
high regard I had for him ripened into
friendship through my intercourse with
him here last session. My first reccol
lection of him found him engaged in a
work of humanity—the cause of coloni
zation, in which he had great faith, and
labored earnestly for many years. Hu
manity, benevolence and charity were
the distinguishing traits of his character.
His whole life was spent in deeds of be
nevolence and acts of charity. None
will miss him more than the poor. The
Church, the Sabbath school, and religion
will miss him greatly, for he was a sin
cere Christian, and their constaut and ac
tive friend and supporter. We will miss
him. The State will miss him. A pure
and incorruptible patriot, he stood up for
his Government, rendering her all the
aid in his power. He often visited the
camps and the hospitals to see and care
for the sick and wounded soldiers of our
army, and not long before the end of his
days he was found ou these errands of
mercy.
Rut ho is gone ! In the midst of use
fulness he is taken from us. Who, when
we last parted with liim here, would have
said that when the roll of names was again
called, his would be the one to which
there was no response—that he wuuld be
the absent, aud missing one. While, then,
we lament his loss, let us seek to imitate
his virtue.". Sooner or later we must fol
low him. The hour of the day we kuow
not, for
'■ To morrow never yet,
On any humjtf being rose or set."
1 KOll ItH imOM).
Peace ill llio Rebel < ungres*.
fctpeciiU to the Pittsburgh Commercial.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.
Files of the Richmond papers of the
24th, received hero to-day. contain the
following :
In the rebel House*of Representatives
on Monday, Mr. Leach, Jr., of North
Carolina, offered the following resolutions,
more effectually to strengthen the Con
federate cause, preserve peace, aud re
store harmony among the people.
Whereat. The protracted struggle on
the part of tho Confederate States for
their Constitutional rights, against the
Federal (iovernment. who claim tho ex-
crcise of right over States and property
of citizens, not guaranteed by the Con
stitution of the I'nitcd States, nor laws
of Congress, is just cause of alarm to the
friends of civil liberty; and,
llVte/vYM, The cruel manner in which
war has been conducted on the part of
the Federal authorities in the destruction
of private property of non-combatants, and
other acts of wantonness not tolerated by
the usages of civilized nations, justifies
the painful apprehension that the Feder
al authorities are blind to their constitu
tional obligations, deaf to thu demands of
justice, the appals of suffering humani
ty, the groans of the dying, aud cries and
tears of the helpless mothers aud weeping
orphans. *
Resulted, '1 hereforc. for the purgose of
averting, if possible, the further horrors
of this bloody fratricidal strife, revolting
alike to the feelings of statesmen, patri
ots, aud christians, and to add more to
our physical strength, that we, the mem
bore of the llouso of Representatives of
the Confederate Congress, iu behalf of
justice and the suffering community, ap
peal most earnestly to the President, and
Senators of the Confederate Congress, to
appoint such number of Commissioners
as iu their judgment the importance of
the occasion demands, and offer au armis
tice the Federal authorities, prepara
tory to negotiations for peace.
Resolved, That should the Federal au
thorities agree to an armistice and con
sent to negotiate for peace, that the Presi
dent by and with the advice aud couscut
of the Seuate, be requested to appoint
Commissioners for the purpose of con
ferring with the Federal authorities, and
that such terms of peace as may beagteed
to by them, and certified by the Presi
dent aud Senate, two thirds of the Sen
ate concurring, shall constitute the kind
of peace between the belligerents.
Resolved, That should the Federal au
thorities refuse to entertain terms of peace
by negotiation, and thereby deny us our
constitutional rights, that for the purpose
of more effectually maintaining those
rights, and at the.same time avert, if pos
sible, the fearful and humiliating fate of
subjugation, alike revolting to the feel
ings of freemen and repugnant to the de
mands of justice, that we, the Represen
tatives of this House, do unanimously
pledge the uudivided resources of the
Confederate States iu defense of our ina
lienable rights as freemen.
Mr, M'Mullen, of Virginia, moved
that the resolutions te considered iu se
cret sessiou, as the same question is now
before the House in auother form.
Mr. Atkins, of Tennessee, moved that
the resolutions be referred to the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations, which was so
ordered by an almost unanimous vote.
A jealous husband at St. Louis
recently spied aroußd hie house and rush
ed. as he supposed, upon his wife and a
strange man in his garden. Just as he
was about to open the stranger with a big
knife, the lady revealed herself as his
cook, and the young man was found to be
her lover. He .was spared
tTlie glmmratt (Sitisfn.
THOMAS ROBINSON. - - Editor,
n. W. NPEAR, Publisher.
BUTLEH PA.
WEDNESDAY FEB. 1. ISfliJ.
*#-'• Liberty »nd Union, Now »nd For»»»r, One
and 'neepereble."—D. Webster.
Gloriotia Xe*s!
The Constitutional amendment abol
ishing slavery has passed Congress by
the decided vote of 110 to 50 ! America
is free!
In our paper this week, will be
found, a communication from the Treasur
er of the Allegh *>y and Butler Plank
Road Company, in reference to its finan
ces. Of the truth of the facts set forth,
we have no doubt. A\ hat we conceive to
be the practical question is, how to raise
the greatest revenue from the greatest
amount of travel ? We have no dispo
sition to become partisan, aud will there
fore leave the subject in the hands of
those interested. We have our opinion
on this matter, but have very little inter
est, other than that common to all, and
will therefore quietly acquiesce iu what
ever may be thought best.
tfaT W c have just received a list of the
Standing Coinmittess of the Senate and
House. The Senate, it seems, adheres to
usage by confining the number of each
Committee to five; but the House whose
custom was to have seven, now swell the
number to fifteen ! This must come from
a weak desire ou tho part, of some to be
found on most of the committees. We
feel quite sure that this weakness is not
general. It seems to us the House needs
only one step farther to reach perfection,
and that is to resolve that each committee
shall consist of the whole 1 [ouse.
JBsjr* On the first page of this paper will
be lbuud, a communication from Lieut.
Hartley, published in the Pittsburgh (la
zettr, giving an account of his capture
Jhd some of the leading incidents of pris
ou life. Mr. Hartley was an old school
mate of ours—is entirely reliable, his ac
count, therefore, may be implicitly re
ceived as a true statement without colour-
ing.
On the same page will be found, the
oration, we might almost say, of Mr. Kel
ly, of Washington county, on the occa
sion of the announcement of the death of
his collogue I>r. Reed. It is at once so
truthful and eloquent that its publication
requires no appology. Mr. Negley's re
marks which follow, are also words fitly
said and correspond strictly with the con
victions of our people.
Ituil KoaUs.
Last winter the all absorbing question
of Hailroads, was the prominent matter
of conversation on the tongue of every
one in our county. A bill was passed,
authorising the construction of a road
from Freeport to some point along the
valley of the Shenango. in Mercer coun
ty —its provisions were considered ample,
audit was thonght by its friends, that it
would be easy to procure the construction
of a road upon it; but thus far the pros
pects are undeveloped. During the pres
ent session j two bills have been presented
! iu the Legislature, looking to the cou
: struction of roads to penetrate the vast
coal fields of this county, one intended
' to run up Bear Creek, to some point on
j the Shenango, in Mercer county, the oth
er to run from Franklin to some point
j within this county. While these vari
j ous projects are developing, all that we
I eau do is to wait patiently aud hopefully,
I trusting to fait for our future destiny.
tai" After working off enough of our
paper to supply a few of the western
mails, on Wednesday, we have waited
patiently till Bp. m.of Thursday, so that
we could lay before the rest of our read
em by this issue, the quotas of the sever
al districts, which we have procured by
telegraph, at some cost and considerable
inconvenience. But we were determined
that'the readers of the CITIZEN should
have the news at the earliest moment,
the following is the dispatch:
ALX.EOUE.VT CITT, Feb, 2,1856.
To THOM\B Ronixiox, Bay.—Nett quota.-of Butler Co,
art«*r deducting all credit* announced at thin office, from
llarrioburg, (ireviutu tu tbf flrnt of January, ltH»5.
Buffalo Franklin 13
i Clinton.... 14 j Centre - 12
Multilevel 14 l*r«*pect 4
Adam* 15 (0»klan«l 4
■ Cruuburry .. 171 Donegal t>
Jark»on 18 Mt11etnt0wn......... 3
Harmony 5 *'alnrtew 15
Zelienop'le 3 (..moid 13
forward 15 Clay It
Penn 4 Brady .** t
Jeffsrvon II Worth 14
Saxonburgh 3 Slippery rock 12
' \\ infield 6 Centreville 6
Clearfield 4 Cherry T
Summit ? \V afhmgton 11
Butler U Parker ~ 15
Butler horo Siu Allegheny 11
ConnoquvueMung I s Venango 8
Lauc*«)er 11 Marion - 7
Muddycieek 8 Mererr A llartuvilie 11
C. K. ANI>«IU»O>.
FEFECT OF THE FORT FISHER BOM
BARDMENT —Admiral Porter, in his re
port, says : ''The number of guns captu
red in these works amount to se*enty-five,
many of them superb rifled pieces of
very heavy calibre. All those facing the
ships were dismoun ted or injured so they
could not be used, or the muzzles were
filled up with Baud or dirt, which render
ed them useless.
COMMUNICATIONS.
For the American Citizen.
Tuos. ROBINSON Esq.—-In the last is
sue of your paper, I observe a list of the
names of those who pay nn Inco«e Tax
Your brief comment on the subject led
me the more particularly, to give it an
examination, and I too, must confess my
self " surprised" at the result. Of the
law, I knew just enough t"> discharge
the duties it requires, faithfully and hon
estly, ami having done so, I claim the
right to say a few words on the subject.
Every citizen who comes within the
provisions of that law, either acquired or
holds his estate perhaps both under
the protection of that government which
now calls upou him for his support. It
is the most reasonable demand which
could be made, and to which every one
should give a willing, hearty and liberal
response. Have all done so ? Let any
one examine the list and answer why so
many names ft> which wealth is attached,
are omitted. And why is it so? Is the
law in itself defective, or has it not been
properly carried into effect? Is there a
clause in it which provides for dodginy ?
I presume neither is the cause. Perhaps
it may be that gome are so well qualified
to meet the exigencies of the case as to
have consciences capable oi expansion or
contraction precisely in accordance with
the interest of their pocket, while those
less gifted in this respect, have to bear
the burden. If all were taxed whoought
to be, the amount woul I have been in
creased very considerably. To those who
have manfully cotue up to the rescue of
their country in its time of need, much
credit is due, or rather they have done
themselves much credit in having their
names placed on the " roll of honor."—
But there are others who dodge so well as
to escape entirely. Of such '• I'm taking
notes, an faith I'll print them," if some
people arc not more cautious and just for
the future. If need be, more anon.
EQUALITY.
For the Citizen.
CENTREVILI.E, Jan. 30.
Mr. Editor : —As I again take up my
pen for a continuation of the subject of
Intemperance; a thousand thoughts re
volve through my mind of such a dark
and horrid nature, as makes the warm
blood curdle in my veins, to think, while
I write this, how many.of my fellow be
ings are in drunken revelry, and wicked
mirth, how many families boggard and
suffering all the pangs of want ? How
many noble souls to-day, not only filling
dMSukards graves but filling our poor
houses, our jails and our Penitentiary's,
all though the influence of this monster of
vices, Intemperance.
Ah, liranii), Itrau-ly, bane of life,
Thou cau*e of HO much vtrife,
Cotihl I but halt thy curse* toll
Th«- wise would with thee Mife in hell.
But then, the drunkard not only des
troys himself, and unfit him for society,
but he throws whole communities into
uproar and disorder. Those midnight
yells, this cursing and swearing on our
streets, how it shocks our tenses! Oh
young man, did you know as you stood
by the bar swallowing the poisonous
draught, what a wonderful distorted pic
ture you would make in a few minutes ;
me thinks you would dash the accursed
cup from your lips for ever, but on the
unconscious young man will go till too
far forany hopes of recovery. Oh ! pause
friends,and don't be the laughingstock of
the whole community.
And while I would warn the young
men of our land against the use of this
great avil, I would say to the Retailer
that he has a responsibility resting on him
that will weigh down his soul at the last
day tf accounts. When he contemplates
how many murders and suicides lie has
committed thmugh the influence of liq
uor sold at his bar, and standing written
out in letters of blood upon the pages of
this dreadful Record, is tlie Retailer guil
ty ? Certainly he is accessary to all the
evils arising from his sales, and responsi
ble for them, and God will hold him for
his share in all the crimes originating from
his sales. Beware then, aa you press the
cup to your neighbors lip, that you may
receive his last dime, perhaps his family
need it for bread, and you deprive them of
their last morsel of food.
Perhaps some may think this a doleful
picture, but what thiuk you of the awful
reality, as the Iletailer and drunkard stand
face to face in the last day of accounts,
and try to throw the responsibility upon
one another. Where then will the Land
lords boasted wealth be ? Will it save
him from the curse of a broken law, it
may, but then as they look in upon them
selves. there conscience enlightened by
eternal truth, they must confirm the doom
of Heaven and usher their unsheltered
spirits down to the dark dungeons of des
pair, a prey to the endless tortures, the
clamorous reproaches and unbridled rage
of the ghost of murdered victims, whose
undying shrieks of woe, are heard to re
sound throughout the dark caverns of the
damned in consequence of selling and
drinking distilled spirits. Such then be
ing the effects produced by the trafic in
liquors, and I challange any sane man to
prove the contrary; who will be willing
to undergo such fearful responsibilities?
Retailer, the next quart you sell, may be
the means of committing a murder: the
next gill may give the toper his last stroke
ere the liquid fire cools in his vitals, he
may lift up his eyes in the torments of the
damned, belching forth imprecations and
cryes upon yonr devote J head, as the au
thor of his destruction.
1). M. IIARBAUOII.
CO X<«lt I: M SIO XA L XF.W S.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.
SENATE. —Mr. Wilson introduced
a bill to increase the pay of officers
in the field, which was referred to
th» military committee.
Petitions were preseted for the
constitutional amendment ; for the
exchange of prisoners ; the abolition
of duty on imported paper, and the
increase of pay of army officers and
clerks in the government service.
Mr. Wade moved that the Senate
take up the resolution advising retal
iation for cruel treatment of our offi
cers and soldiers.
Mr Sumner—Oh, I would not take
that up now.
Mr. Wade—You would ifyou were
a prisoner.
The resolution was taken up.
Mr. Hendricks stated that he un
derstood Mr. Johnson wished to de
bate this resolution, and hoped its
further consideration would be post
poned until to-niorrew.
Mr. Wade. —If the Senator from
Maryland wishes to debate this sub
ject, (and yet I feci that, if the gen
tleman who wish it were in the con
dition of many of our prisoners, they
would not feel like listening to very
long speeches on the subject.).l will
let it stand over until to-morrow, but
with the understanding that I shall
press it at the earliest possible op
portunity.
Mr. llendrick replied to Mr. Wade,
saying that the Senator from Ohio,
had seen fit to say if he were in the
condition of some of our prisoners, i
he would not feol like dabating the
question; that he [Hendricks] did
not feel that sympathy for prisoners
he ought, lie had a brother togeth
er with several relations in South
ern prisons. No Senator could
make him more sensitive than he
was. He did not think the resolu
tion was the best way to secure the
relea s e of our prisoners, but thought
a general exchange ought to be ef
fected, and believed it could be effec
ted if the party in power would make
the effort.
Mr. Wade said he did not feel
now like agreeing to postponement,
inasmuch as the Senator from Indi
ana had made all the speech that
could be made on the subjec. Re
taliation had been successful before
during the war. The rebels had pla
ced our men under fire of our bat
teries, and they were compelled to
desist when we retaliated by expos
ing their men in a similar way.
Mr. Olark offered tho following,
which was ordered to be printed and
laid upon the table for the present*;
I'e.vihed, By the Senate and House
of Representative in Congress as
sembled, that no negotiation, terms
of settlement or concession, or coin
promise be entered into, proposed,
yielded or made with the rebels di
rectly or indirectly until they have
manifested their ftnplicit and uncon
ditional submission to the authority
of the government, and further that
however much peace may he desir
ed, tho present war must be waged
with all the resources and energy
of the Government until said sub
mission shall be secured, and the
supremacy of the Const : tution and
laws established over the entire ter
ritory of the United States. The
title of the above is a "Resolution
declaring the sense of Congress upon
the subject of negotiation."
The Cliair laid before the Senate
a communication from Secretary
Stanton, stating that several resolu
tion calling for information in his
pot-session had been handed to him
on his return to the city, and that
information as to the failure of the
Secretary of War to exchange our
men, he had only to say, without
knowing anything on t*ie subject,
that if he, tl»e Secretary of War, did
as charged, he was culpable to a high
degree.
Mr. Schenck brought up the sub
ject of Mr. A. P. Field's late as
sault upon Judge Kelly, the latter
being a member of the House. He
proposed the appointment of a se
lect committee with a view to take ac
tion to vindicate tho privileges and
freedom of legislation in this body.
The resolution was adopted, and was
ordered that pending the investiga
tion Mr. Field be excluded from the
floor of the House.
In the course of the debate on the
question of Fie'd's assault on Kelly,
Mr. Brrooks said that recently he
had occasion to speak of a certain
Major General as a " gold robber,"
but in some of the prints he<was rep
resented of saying '• bold robber."
lie had received a letter from a Maj.
Gen. who euppoaen the remark par
tioularly # applicable to him, though at the
time«here was another .Major General in
New York. At his desire the letter was
read, as follows :
WASHINGTON, Jan 20, 1855
liun. Jai. Jirofjki, Member of Cumjrest,
lloute of Jiepreneutatiaes:
1 find in the Daily Globe, of the 7th,
a reportofyour remarks in the House on
the oth an extract from which personal
to me is appended. I have the honor to
enquire whether your remarks are cor
rectly reported—except perhaps in mis
print, "gold" for "bo.d"—and also wheth
er there was any modification, explana
tion or limitation made by you other than
what appears in this report, 'l'ho gen
tleman who hands you this will wait or
call for. your answer at any time or place
you may designate.
(Signed) B. F. BUTLER.
Major General.
The extract from Mr. Brooks' speech
was in substance ao follows: lam bound
to say an effert was made by the govern
ment to control the city of New York
during the autune election. The gov
ernment sent there a gild robber in the
person of a Major General of the United
States. Kobber as he was.of the public
treasure, and a Major General, he dare
not exercise control over the actions of
those whom the gentlemen from l'anna
Mr. Sehofield, had called thieves and rob
bei».
A question of ordei. was raised on the
introducing of the letter.
Mr. Brooks quoted from the Constitu
tion that for any speech in either House,
no member should be questioned else
where.
The speaker decided that Mr. Brooks
would be justified in refusing to answer
the lotter.
Mr. Brooks said he objected the whole
letter. It was brought to him by Gen.
Butler's Adjutant, in full uniform, in
stead of being sent through the post office
lie did not like military gentlemen com
ing into his house and calling for an im
mediate answer. He expressed to this
Aid-de-Camp (hat he could not give an
immediate answer, but would take his
own time; the remarks being made 011
the floor of the House, General Butler
bad 110 right to call him in question. He
contended that the language of Butlers
letter was that of a duelist.
The point of order being pressed, the
Speaker decided the letter not an in
fringement cf privilege. The meaning
of the language of tho Utter was open to
doubt, and was not therefore a question of
privilege.
The rules were suspended to allow Mr.
Bro ks to explain the ground for calling
Butler a gold robber. He referred to a
transaction in the Surrogate's Court of
New York, where Geueral Butler was su
ed by Samuel Smith, of New Orleans,
for £50.000 in gold which was seized by
General Butler, in April, 1852, and now
alleged to be in his possession, it never
having been paid into the Treasury of the
United States.
A spirited colloquy then onsued, in
which several gentleman took part.
Mr. Leon asserted that the money was
paid to the War Department, which Mr.
Brooks denied. •
Mr. Gooch suggested that Mr. Brooks
should have investigated in the facts in
the case before making charges.
Mr. Powell, at the request or Mr. Wade,
withdrew bis resolution to allow the lat
ter to call up the special order, which
was the resolution in relation to retalia
tion upon rebels for the cruel treatment of
Northern prisoners.
Kesolvrif, That retaliation is harsh al
ways, "even in the simplest cases, and is
pcrmissableonly when in the first place it
may reasonably be expected to effect its
object, and when in the second place it is
consistent with the usages of civilized so
ciety, and that in the absence of these
essential conditions it is useless and bar
barous, having no other eud than ven
geance, which is forbidden alike tho ua
tions and to men.
Itetofveif, That the treatment of our of
ficers and soldiers in rebel prisons is cru
el, savage and heartrending beyond all
precedent, that it is shocking to morals,
that it is an offense against humau nature
itself it adds new guilt to a great crime,
rebellion, and constitutes an example from
which history will turn with sorrow and
disgust.
Krsofvrrl, That any attempt nt imita
tation of rebel barbarism in the treatment
of prisoners would be painfully imprac
ticable on account of its inconsistency
with the sentiments of humanity; that it
would be injurious at home, for it would
barbarize the whole community ; that it
would be utterly useless, for it could not
affect the cruel authorers of the revolting
conduct which we seek to overcome ; that
i' would be immoral, because it proceed
ed from vengeance; that it could have
no other result than to degrade the na
tional character and the national name,
and to bring down upon our country the
I refutation of history, and that being thus
1 unpractically useless,' immoral and de-
J grading, it must be rejected, as the meas-
I ure of retaliation precedes the barbarism
j of roasting and eating prisoners is always
j rejected by civilized powers.
Ursolic'!, That the United States, filled
with grief and the deepest sympathy for
cherished citizens who, as officers and
soldiers, have been the victim of outrages,
hereby declare their solemn, determina
tion to put an end to this great iniquity
by putting an end to the rebellion, of
which it is the natural fruit. That to se
cure this humane and righteous consum
mation th» y pledge anew the best ener
gies i.nd all the resources of the wh .le
people, and they call upon all to bear
witness that in the necessary warfare with
barbarism they renounce all vengeance
and even evil example and plant them
selves firmly on the sacred landmark of
christian civilization, under the protec
tion of that God who is present with ev
ery prisoner and enables heroic souls to
suffer for their country.
Mr Sumner quoted from General
Washington, Chaucellor Kent, General
lialieck, Vattel, and other authorities,
agaiust inhuman retaliation, wiich he
said, never reached the guilty parties.
Mr. Wade hoped the amendment of
Mr. Sumner would not be adopted. Re
taliation had been practiced by all civili
zed nations in all wars.
Mr. Howard spoke in defense of the
proposition before Senate. The object
of the resolution was not to imitate the
barbarities of the rebels. It was simply
to secure humane treatment for our pris
oners in rebel hands. The report of the
Committee of the United States Sanitary
Commission gave a fearful picture of the
outrages committed by the rebels upon
our prisoners at Belle Isle d Anderson
ville—the effect of that treatment deter
red thousands of young nieu from enlist
ing in the army. The barbarities com
mitted on our men at the Andersonville
prison were not to be described in lan
guage. Out of theßl,ooo men who were
six months ago there, not more thau half
were alive now. This treatment was re
sorted to by the rebels to strike terror in
to the Northern people, and to diminish
our force in the HeM. The resolution
before the Senate did not propose to re
taliate upon the Boldicrs of the rebel ar
my, but only upon the officers, and the
fact seemed to have been overlooked by
the Senator from Pennsylvania.
Mr. Wilson offered an amendment to
Mr Sumner's proposition to strike out
all after the enacting clause, and insert
after a preamble declaring that our prison
ers have been inhumanly treated, etc., a
resolution instructing thd President to
appoint commissioners to confer with the
rebel authorities with a view to some
plan for the reliefer better treatment of
our prisoners in their hands.
Mr Wilson explained that the above
was the best plan to secure the object of
the Senate which was to secure the hu
mane treatment of our prisoners.
Mr. Uriines interrupted M». Wilson,
asking if the Secretary of War had not
stated in a communication to the lloase'y
that there would be no difficulty in til#
future about exchanging prisoners, if So
what was the necessity for passing such a
resolution as this ?
Mr. Wilson replied that lie so under
stood, but it would be well to devisesome
plan for the good treatment of prisoucrsof
war who should hereafter fall into the hands
of the rebels.
Mr. Sumner inquired if the rebels had
not on a former occasion refused to receive
such commissioners as were suggested by
Mr. Wilson's resolution ?
In reply General Wilson stated the-
Commissioners referred to by Mr. Sum
ner were only authorized to visit our pris
oners, and had uo authority to relieve
them in any way.
Mr. Wilson said he had good asurance
that if such a Commissioner was appoin
ted it could accomplish tho result desired.
He wusshuro of it.
Mr. Hendricks-said he was in favor of
no retaliation that was opposed to tho
principles of Christianity, lie stated
upon the authority of Curt Fly tin, a re
leased prisoner fruui Indiana, that the
prison ore at Andcrspuville were treated
us' well as the rebel guards.
Mr. Howard—Does the Sendtor assert
upon this floor that prisoners in South
ern hands are treated as well as Southern
prisoners in our hands.
Mr. Hendricks said he did not know
only whfit he had stated.
Mr. \\ ilson introduced a bill in addi
tion to the Senate acts for enrolling and
calling out the National forces, which was
referred to the Military Committee. Tho
bill provides:
First—That persons enrolled and lia
ble to be drafted may be accepted as sub
stitutes.
Second—That no one furnishing a navy
substitute shall be exempted unless that
substitute is brought before tho Board of
Knrollment and is accepted there.
Third—That any person who know
ingly brings for enlistment a convict, or
insane, or drunken person, or deserter, o
shall defraud in the matter of bounty,
shall be liable to SI,OOO fine and impris
onment.
Fourth—Any mustering officer who
shall muster such person, shall upon con
viction, be dishonorably dismissed tho
service.
Filth—That all State or local bounties
shall hereafter be paid in installments,
one third at tho time of mustering in,
one third at the middle of tho term ®f
service, and one third at the end, unless
sooner discharged honorably. If killed
the balance to be paid to his widow.
Sixth—That every district shall make
up, by additional draft or recruiting, its
loss from desertious and discharges on
aecouut of physical disability existing
before enlistment.
Seventh—That all deserters shall bo
disfranchised forever, including all who
have deserted heretofore who shall not
report within sixty days.
Senate adjourned.
lili'jiN of I'cacc; at l{i<'liiiioii«l.
The Richmond papers, in the particu
lar interest ol' Davis, construe tho pres
ence, in that city, of Mr. Blair and Mr.
Singleton, and the talk in Washington
about peace, into evidence of the exhaus
tion of the north, and they claim, conse
quently, that all the South has to do to
obtain peace on favorable terms is to con
tinue the struggle a little longer. Not
withstanding the utter falsity of this
view, it will, no doubt, keep up the spir
its of those who were ready to give up..
Men standing on the lost plank will catch
! at almost anything, and will believe that
; which, under other circumstances, would
he instantly rejected. Thus does the
Richmond Wliiij cram the minds of the
rabeU with this sort of stuff. We quote:
■Then why does Lincoln send his em
issaries here? Simply because he knows
that if the confederacy held out another
campaign, the triumph is assured and our
independenoewon ; because he knows that
I this avtilablcphysical resources—ar—ab
[ solutely—exhausted ; (hat neither the
j eheay enthusiasm of tho populace over
! magnified victories, and inconsequential
successes; nor the frantic appeals of all
the newspapers in the land; nor the sub
tile persuasions of Seward and other
priest* and prophets of black republican
ism ; nor his own supei numerous calls
and proclaintions,can aid him in anything
iu getting together another aru.y even
half as great as that which he launched
upon tho South in the first of May last.
We must, therefore, either induce the con
federate government to surrender, or by
some means break up the league of those
States; or, by proving to the North the
utter hopelessness of restoring them to
their sacramental union, except by fight
ing for it, so resuscitate the war spirit, as
to enable him to raise the three hundred
thousand men contemplated by his last
call, else he will be broken down before
the next summer begins, and all the mag
nificent power, and pompous military pa
rade of the universal Yankee nation will
fade away and leave uot a rack behind."
—l'illt. Cam.
—The Indians on the I'lattee still con
tinue their depredations. The station at
■Julesburg has beeu abandoned by the
Government troops. Maj. Gen. Curtis
who commands the troops on the over
land mail route, telegraphed to Washing
ton thqt there was no need of leaving
Julesburg, as his troops were seven days
out from Cottonwood Springs, lOG miles
cast of that station, hunting Indians.