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the southern watchman.
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mtrrern #
For the Southern Watchman.
Camp near Raccoon Ford, Va., )
May 2d, 1864. J
Mr. Christy :—I suppose one would na
turally suppose that Gov. Brown and trea
son were synonymous terms in this army,
(rotn whut the favorers of a monarchical
government say, and after reading the re
solution? ad op ted (tina n imousltti by a few
regiments and companies. Marty, I pre
sume, think that a soldier would be as fai
from endorsing Brown's course publicly,
as a spy would be from openly confessing
lii> occupation, in the lines of an enemy.
Will they not feel some apprehension for
the man who writes from this army, and
tells them that Gov. Brown is right, and
that he intends to support him? They
would consider him a very iinprndont man.
They arc not so imprudent as His (Brown’s)
op posers would have you believe. Be not
deceived in regard t> the armyf'there are
thousands of noble Georgians here who
love their Constitution too well to be de
terred from denouncing its violators; there
arc thousands here who boldly proclaim
that the law of Congress suspending the
writ of Habeas Corpus is u unwise, impolitic,
unconstitutional and dangerous to liberty
Tliero is a largo party here m the army,
who feel that the men who represented us
in Oongrossarc'unworthyofoureonfidence;
and those who havo deceived the people by
telling them that the army was “all right”
—that ail of them wero denouncing Gov.
Brown and that Stephens was dead, will
find, to their surprise, that the friends of
Georgia’s Chief Magistrate are very nu
merous; and they, feeling that the argu
ment is on their side, are ever ready to
discuss the question calmly around the
camp-fires.
Wo thunk His Excellency for guarding
our rights at home, while we are defending
them in the field. Wo can assure him that,
oven in those, companies and regiments
where resolutions-vrpro unanimously passed
condetning his course, his friends are not
few iu cumber. You have already learned
that in Gordon’s Brigade and the 24th.Ga.
the “ stars and bars” spoke for the men.
I suppose, with few exceptions, the same
thing has happened in other commands,
where similar resolutions have been passed
unanimously. I notice Cutta’ Batt. Art.
have adopted resolutions expressing their
disapproval of Ilis Excellency’scourse, and
reiterating thetr determination to support
Mr. Davis. Several men addressed the
meeting, among them one broken . down
politician from Georgia. Many men havo
been deceived on this question in the army,
by designing demagogues; many have
been misled by persons looking for promo
tion ; many, have voted for resolutions
when, had they understood or had an op
portunity toTitudy and read both sides,
would have acted and votod directly con
trary to what they did. I know this to
be a fact, and I believe that when this ;
question is thoroughly understood by the
army, the opposers of constitutional liberty i
will feel rebuked for wbat they have done, j
•I notice, too, that many of those who up- ■!
bold Congress in suspending this writ,
admit that it was unconstitutional, but
contend that it is much better to trust to j
the patriotism of President Davis, than to
agitate the queslion^at this tim% True
men should* not listen to.any such. It is j
certain that an exchange of ideas on so .
important a question will not have a do- j
moralizing influence over our armies, and ;
equally certain, that not a man will bo j
added to the Lincoln army by such a dis- ;
cussioa. Lot not the friends of liberty be :
prevented from boldly expressing their !
honest convictions, for fear that if, will ,
strengthen the Federal armies or prolong I
this cruel waf. This is used by dema
gogues, to prevent the people from pro- j
claiming their sentiments. If our people j
will read for themselves, and think for j
themselves, the time will soon come when
scarceLf a respectable minority will be *
found approving this act of Congress.—•
Georgians in this army, I predict, will bfi
almost anauilhous rn exprossiug thoir dis
approval of this act of Congress. The
v ery men who condemned Gov. Brown,
will be found side by r aide with his present
friends.
Before elosio^fH
lutions adopted
yonr town. 1 was^ot;
are useful men at home, and men of whom
any State might bo proud. This company,
to be teandid, I regret to say, are not with
you or me—I mean, a majority of them
differ with Gov. Brown—bu t they have no
halter nor scaffold for Mr. Stephens or
G ov. Brown. They have spoken the bon
ed; Convictions of their hearts in upholding
Congress in the suspension of the writ of
Habeas Corpus; and, in justice to this
company, I will also ‘add that the men
spoke, and not the “ stars and bars.” We
trust they may 3ee their errors Even if
we differ from them, we must ascribe to
them Sincerity and honesty. Such oppo
nents aS these will not hurt Gov. Btown—
while" many differ with him., they still re
spect him, qpd believe he did not have any
other intention than to serve Georgia and
tbo Confederacy.
We arc always glad to receive a copy of
your excellent paper in oar camp. We
thank you for your efforts to enlighten the
people on the great question ‘ now before
t horn. We feel proud that. Georgia was
the firRt to take her stand on the side of
constitutional liberty. We are gratified
to see our press come out so boldly and
ably in defence of our beloved Governor.
We can only trust that you may continue
to persevere in the future, as you have
done in the past, to bring before the coun
try the acts of those men who are not
worthy of their support, and to show no
mercy to any man who advocates a “ com
mon bead” in the South.
Yours, very respectfully,
GEOR
iGIA.
For tko Southern Watchman.
Camp 52d Reg. Ga. Vols., )
Near Dalton, Ga., May 8th, 1864.. J
Mr. Christy :—Since my last to you
there has been nothing but skirmishing
going on between the two armies. $
On yesterday morning the enemy drove
jn our cavalry pickets and moved in heavy
column to the ridge this side of Tunnel
Hill. About nine Vclock our Division
(Stewart’s) was ordered up to the front to
support our pickets. Arriving within
plain view of the enemy’s lines, we were
formed on a ridge in lino of battle, and de
ployed skirmishers, in order to ascertain
if the enemy was moving on us.
Remaining in that position until about 8
o’clock at night, our ears were greeted
with a dispatch from Virginia, bringing
the glad tidings of Lee’s victory on the
Bapidan. About 11 o'clock at night we
wero moved back to pur stronghold, and
are here now. The two armies are in close
proximity, not being more than two and a
half miles apart. Skirmishing pretty heavy
to-day, though I have heard of none qf our
men being billed. The Major in command *
of oar Division pickets was slightly wound
ed this morning. All are eager for the
fight to come off, and feel satisfied that the
watchfulness of our commander will ever
be a safeguard^against us being surprised;
and when the fight does come off, many
will read with proud hearts of our success.
The dark clouds that hung so thick and
heavily around us last fall and winter are
boiug dispelled, and now we can sec through
the mist, victory and peace. Many anx
ious wives, mothers and sisters are looking
forward with great anxiety to the impend
ing battle. To suchu^ would toy, trust iu
God and the righteousness Of our cause,
and should your husband, son or brother
fall in the'con test, you-will have the con
solation of knowing that he fell a brave
hero, fighting for that liberty for which we
have been contending three long years,
and without which death would be pre
ferable.
Should the fight come off and I come
through safe, you stall hear from me again.
* CHOICE.
In
SPEECH OF MR. HARRIS,
OP MARYLAND, *
the Yankee House of .Representatives,
April 9th, ISC"!.
The following is the celebrated speech
in full of Mr, Harris, of Maryland, in the
United States House of Representatives,
upon which Mr. Washburne, of Illinois,
predicated his resolution to expel the re
presentative from Maryland:
Mr. Harris, of Md.—Mr. Speaker, I shall
not detain the House very Jiong. But, sir,
I could not sit here and see an attempt
made to tyyanuize over one who entertains
sentiments winch I did not know he enter
tained until yesterday, but sentimonts
which I have long entertained, and enter
taining I intend to stand by -his side for
weal or tor woe. Sir, when the honorable
gentleman from Ohio, (Mr Garfield) re
plied to his colleague from Ohio* who first
spoke (Mr. Long) he said that he had the
courage to face the cannon and the rifle.
It was a compliment to my friend, but no
compliment to this.House, the intolerance
of which has made it a necessity- for my
friend in speaking his honest sentiments iu
debate to have the courage to face these
implements of war..
Another-thing which the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Garfield) avowed, led me to sup-
jmse that he would not be found in support
of such a resolution as this was, that: be
befioyed bis colleague (Mr. Long) sincerely
and honestly entertained thesesentimouts.
Now, I would like to know what, the
reason ip, when a man gets up here and
avows Ji is sentiments upon a
public policy, upon a
iu his mode of thmki
are preying upon the very vitals of Ameri
can liberty.
Bnt speaking upon the Issues before the
country. What is the issue ? Is not peace
an issue ? Cannot a man protest against
carrying on or favoring a war for the ex
termination of a whole race of people?
Cannot a man get up and say, we do not
admire your tactics; we would rather have
peace than such a war; wo think it better
peace should come; it.will save the fives
of our people on both sides; it will save
the money of the men . wbp arc now op
pressed with heavy burdens of taxation to
carry on this war ? Cannot a man say it
is better to have peace than war, and es
pecially when he brings authority to shew,
that the position taken is sustained
ablest men, by men who advooated your
own principles, by men, sir, who governed
the country? Wjbe'n the gontloman from
Ohio brings here the opinions of such men
to back him up, you say that he must dis
card all such opinions. Why, not one of
you, yes, sir, not one of you, can be called
a fifth-rate man compared with those from
whom the honorable gentleman quoted
yesterday. [Laughter.]
Mr. Garfield rose.
Mr, Harris, ot Md.—No, sir, I cannot
yield to the gentleman'at this time.
Mr. Speaker, when I came here at this
session of Congress, I was solitary and
alone. I could not say for some time
whether anybody sympathized with roe;
I felt myself solitary and alone. Those
who were here around me were War De
mocrats. They never invited mo to their
caucus, and I never-intended to apply. I
would starve among them. I am a peace
mao, a radical peace man, aod I am for
peace by a recognition of the South, for
the recognition of the Southern Confedera
cy ; and I am for acquiescence in the doc
trine of secession. [Sensation and laugh
ter.] Laugh as you may, you have got to
come to it. I thought I was alone. . I be
gan to take the advice of Cato to his son :
When vice prevails and impious men hear sway,
The post of honor is a private station. ,
I felt like giving up ray seat and leaving
this place. I stood solitary and alone on
this floor; but now, thank God, there is
another soul saved. [Laughter.] I feel
that we can baptize my honorable friend
from Ohio (Mr. Long) and I am glad to
havo such able aid. I shall not go home
now. When Cato gave that advice he had
fought his last battle, and yielded to the
fortune and ambition of Julius Csesar, great
as be was. He was about to take a vic
tory over-himself by a Roman’s death,
because he saw his cause was hopeless.
Not so ours. I feel yet there is a hope in
this Ho.ise. I feel through the rustling of
the winds there is a tornado coming that
will sweep away the present majority from
power and give it into the bands of men
who will settle the affairs of this country—
who havo something like humanity—men
who have regard for the principles of our
forefathers. Aye, I recollect how my
blood curdled when I beard the discussion
on the Confiscation bill.
The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Garfield)
said, let them be expatriated like the tories
of the revolution. The tories of the revo
lution had the mother country to run- to,
and were protected there. But where
would the gentleman send those whom he
would expatriate from the South, as gal
lant and noble a race as ever walked upon
the earth; noble in every thing that con
stitutes men of honor and men of principles
—gentlemen ? Sir, you would expatriate
those people, their wives and children, and
send them among strangers to starve.
Another member from Ohio (Mr. Spalding)
was not only for confiscating their proper
ty in fee, ho, Mr, went through the cata
logue. He was for confiscation, he was
for expatriation, and be was for extermina
tion. [Laughter.] Ho emphasized every
syllable of that word; and when he did so,
I looked at his countenance, and I felt as
if I were in a den of hyenas.
I am not hero for war, and will not be
here for war so long as I have a heart
humane and Christian, when war is carried
on upon such principles. No, sir, war
never did and never will bring your Union
together in such manner as to bo worth
one cent. I am for peace and I am for
Union too. I am as good a Union man as ’
any of you. [Laughter.] I am a better
U nion man than any of you. [Great laugh
ter.] I am a Union man, am! have thrown
up my head ; no, I have not lost that yet,
I have thrown np my bat for the cause of
the Union, and cheered at its success. I
felt as anxious for its Buccess as any man
upon this floor. I look upon war as .dis
union. I look upon continued war as ao-
tually keeping off the Union £> a still
later period, and I scarcely believe a peace
would accomplish a Union. And surely ^
if anything will, it is that s w eet angelof
peace. She may unite the chords which
have been severed by the hand of war, and
may tie them more tightly together than
ever before; but if we are to havo dissolu
tion, in the name of God let us have it;
and instSadofhavingone great consolidated
Government, one impe rious Govern meat,
one splendid Government! let us have on
this continent two happy Governments.
But, as I said before, I look to peace as the
sir, if slavery is a sin, lam willing to bear
the reproach. But as you refer me to God
Almighty for my title, I.can show t^at it
is sanctioned by His word. You declare
this institution to be a crime; you declare
it to be the sum of all villainra; but I tell
you that whoever says my father was a
villain because he owned slaves—and he
had slaves and died a Christian; whoever
says that my constituents whom I repre
sent are villains because they oWn slaves—
I know them to be honest and upright men,
doing their duty as Christians as much so
as anybody; whoever.says these things, is
a liar. I will let no man write such an
epitaph upon the tomb of my father. I
will let no man say such a thing to me here
in roy presence without calling him to re
sponsibility. You may consider it a sin
as between you and your God, bu£ you
shall not use insulting language upon such
a subject as that without being called to
account.
Sir, the Union is dissolved, and there is
a gulf of blood lying between the two sec
tions; but upon my honor, upon my soul,
I repeat that every drop iu that gulf is On
the souls of the Northern people. I do not
think that any candid man who looks at
the history of this affai r can come to any
other conclusion. From the beginning of
the Government down to the tune of the
election of Abraham Lincoln, you have
been using terms of insult and ’terms of
irritation, and you have been doing every
thing yon could to bring about tbo very
result which is now upon you. Look at
the history of this matter. I shall not re
peat it; it is too familiar, and has been
too often repeated. At firet you only culti
vated the ground, but when that; old scold
aod wrangler, the worst man that over
lived iu Ibis country, even not excepting
Aaron Burr, when that old scold and
wrangler, John Quincy Adams, declared
that by the war power you could emanci
pate all the slaves and sell the States which
bad slaves to a foreign power, that was
the day when you commenced to exert all
your powers to excite this people to rebel
lion. Then it was you said you would not
live with them, that the Government was
a compact with hell, and that one of tbe
most agreeable things in the world would
be to part with the South and slavery.
That was the announcement of your
public men every where, that they could
not live with you in peace. Well, they
separated from you, and asked to five on
terms of peace with you. What did you
do? You immediately howled out: “They
are traitors; we will hang them all; and
-when we have hung them we will take all
their property and divide it among us.”
And, sir, all this was to be done, according
to your great “ nigger law” apostle, Wm.
H. Seward, in the cou rse of sixty days!
No doubt the facility with which he thought
it could be done was a great incentive to
begin the work, especially as there were
lands in the Southland many other benefits
that they expected to get .hold of very
easily down there.
Well, a great many of the Republican
leaders went out to Bull Run in July, 1861,
to witness the perfect overthrow of the
-poof Southerners. The lamented gentle
man from Illinois (Mr. Lovejoy) I think,
went out there, and one member of this
House, from Massachuseeta, went out, I
think, and one from New York. They
carried their pic nic with them—spring
chickens and champagne. [Laughter.]
They thought they were going to bave a
very bappy time of it, popping off their
champagne corks amid the blood and gore
of the slaughter of tho Southerners. One
of them I .Ihrok went to Richmond rather
faster than he expected [Laughter.] One
of them came back howling for mercy,-
having offered, I have heard, $500 to be
driven out of the reach of-tbe “black
horse” of Virginia.
You see/Sir, that those things were all
to have been done in a very short time,
but instead of that they bave not been
done yet- Iustead of 75,000 men doing
the work, you have bad to get a million
and a half,'and a miilioa.and a half will not
doit. Those you bavo sent South have^
been “ welcomed with bloody hands to bos-"
pitlo graves.” You bad an idea that the
“ poor' white trash” of the South, as you
called them, were the mere, dregs of the
people,and could easily be conquered.—
Why, sir, you do not know them as well as
I ; do. A bolder, braver, or more honora
ble set ofmendonptliveon the face of God’s
earth. And when you attempt to elevate
the neg**o to an equality with these South
ern white men, or even say that ho is no
better than the negro, h e will strike though
he may d!o immediately. All the attempts
to put the negro on an equality with the
. white man, to give him equal suffrage at
the ballot-box, to give him a place upon
the witness stand to testify against the life
or the honor of the white man, or to give
him any office that will inflict dishonor
upon.tbe white man of run any risk of not
keeping up the iheqmdity that now exists
between the races, will: bo resisted to the
death by every Southern white mao.
Ndw,’Mr. Speaker, who was it; after all,
that brought this
hero and establisl _
Puritans were first rAto men. They had
were -honorable,
ing, but Upon ray ret
1 found many men wl
liACrwl a L ' L
poeed this not
know the
puny—th
among t
profosdtiti:
uiukefs, 1
find no
esca
Sole my slaves
in old Demo-
very much; but,
admiration for
hows what he
older, and 1
ng you insult
ertions that
f villainies ;
nan can par-
linios without
ve borne all
ed upon you
have really
hter.] Now,
by the importation ol those, very Africans
whose descendants they are now so anx
ious to advance in life, ,
They took these slaves to the South and
sold them to my ancestors and the ances
tors of men there. They got Southern
gold: for their merchandise, and guaran
teed the title to it. And now * their de
scendants turn aronnd and say that they
will deprive the peoplo of the South of this
property. I do not believe tho Puritans
would sanction any such doctrine as that.
They were honest and straightforward,
and I am sorry to see that tbeir sons are
so thoroughly degenerated. If I were
guilty ofsuch on act, socially, personally
or morally, I should consider myself de
graded and disgraced. Yes, sir, there is
not one of you wboTpretends to hold up
his band and say that bo will vote to pay
back the money paid for these Africans.
They cooisder that it wonUTbe bad policy.
Thu politicians are against it. Against
what? Against honor and boots y. Sir,
are we a disgraced poeple? Are we a
peoplo who have no sense of honor? You
shall not so slander the American people.
I shall wait for that returning good* sense
that will be able to judge of the merits of
the case. •
Now, Mr. Speaker, what were the views
expresed by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Long?) That the war must not be contin
ued forever; that it must stop some time;
that it is a horrid war, and that it ought, to
Btop. ,VVho is to say when it shall stop?
Have we not that power? Or is that right
confined entirely to the party represented
on the other side of the house? 1 say that
if you attempt to carry out tbe principle of
this resolution it wUl open the eyes of the
people, and although toy friend (Mr. Long 1 )
would be a martyr, he! ; would be a martyr
in a glorious cause. The people would
rally aroand him, and would come up and
exterminate the politicians who dared to
raise their ruthless hands against the great
right which he yesterday assorted.
Mr. Speaker, ic the early parts of this
secrosioa movement there was a resolution
offered pledging men and money to cariy
on the war. My principles wero then, arid
are now, against the war. I stood solitary
un i alone iu voting against that resolution,
and wbeoever a similar proposition is.
brought here it will meet with my opposi
tion. Not one dollar nor one man, I swear
by the Eternal, will I vote tor this infernal,
this stupendous folly; more. stupendous
than ever disgraced any civilized people
on tbe face of God’s earth. If that bo
treason, make the most of it.
It is the right ot the Commoner of Eng
land to say that be wifi not entrust the
money to carry on a war to the 3£ing, who
has the entire war power. I do not know
that a Commoner of tbe American House
of Representatives:ever lost that right.—
That proposition mecis with my approval.*
If you will not make peace iu any other
way, and if I have the casting vote here
against furnishing the sioews ot war, you.
shall not have them.
The South asked yon to let her go in
peace. But no ; you-said you would bring
them into subjugation. Tbatjis not done
yet, and God Almighty graot that it Dever
may be. I hope that you will never sub
jugate theSouth. If she is to be over again
in the Union, I hope it will be -with her
own consent; and I hope that that consent
will be obtained by some other mode than
by the 8word. “If this bo treason, miako
the moBt of it.” I am as good a Union
man as you are, but we differ as to the beat
means of preserving the Union.
And now, after giving an expression of
my sentiments to you ot the Republican
party, I will turn to the representatives of
the Northern Democracy. Abraham Lin
coln has proved himself unfit to be trusted
an boor. *
[Here Mr. Harris was rudeljr interrupted
by Air. Tracy, of Pa., who. raised a point.
of order, which the Speaker decided not
well taken, and requested him to take his
seat.]
Mr. Washburne, of IU.—I rise to a ques
tion of order. I ask that tbe language of
the gentleman from Maryland, referred to
by the gentleman trora Pennsylvania, shall
be taken down at the Clerk’s desk..
The Speaker pro tem.—The language
will be reduced to writing.
Mr. Johnson—I rise to a question of
order upon that.
_ The Speaker pro tem.—No other point
of eMer can be entertained until that be
fore the House has been disposed of.
Mr. Washburne, of Ill.—I ask that the
language of tbe gentleman from Maryland,
which has be$p taken down by the Clerk,
may bo road.
The Clerk read the language, as follows:
“ The South asked you to let them livo
in peace. But, no, you said ypu would
bring them into subjugation. That is, npt ■
done yet- God Almighty grant that it
never may be. I hope that you will never
subjugate the South.” *
Mr. Harris, of Md.—That is all right.
I endorsevhrery word of that. ^
tem.—The Chair under-
;ht this institution of slavery stands the gentleman from Illinois calls
establishedviii among jiis ? The the gentleman from Maryland to order for
r ery- _
of the Old Testamen P
the New Testament, and they con
nothing against i' ‘ L
slavery. Why, it is a
Behooner which brou:
ers, to this continent
mouth, returned to Af
slaves. [Laughter.] I
for it. But sir, they
and they kept them he
could use 'them profita
sold them to the Sou
man who lo
or the
tune
the words that have been read.
Mr. Washburne, of III.—Yes, sir, and I
am preparing a resolution to offer in con
nection with it. . .' „
The Speakerpro t<:m.—In the opinion ot
the Chair the words spoken by the gentle
man are not in order. ,
Mr. Harris, of Maryland—W ell, Mr.
Speaker.
Mr. Washburne,
decided tbo
under the rules ho
tho permission of the .
her nhiects. And for i
ber objects,
any man uttering
floor.
Mr. Harris, of
afru