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the jp e a c e Forty •< ' fc * Norik-•ptrfch of
H^r. Bta W ood, of New Cork.
Mr. Wood was a member of lhe last
^PCougress (and a memberof the next Con
gress, wc believe,) and occupied a high
position as tie leader of the peace party.—
jlis. bold and scathing rebukes of the
Administration while editor of the New
York Daily Fetes will long be remembered
This speech was prepared by Mr. Wood,
to bo delivered at the close' of the Con
gress, but being cut offin the pressure of
business incident to the close of the session,
he got permission to print it in the Con-
gresstonal Globe. It is bold, manly and
very eloquent. We make some extracts
from it.
The first Proclamation for Peace— The tear
Could have been Avoided.
During the first session of the present
Congress, and one week before the slaugh
ter at Manassas had awakened our peo
ple to the realities of war, I offered in this
jjp'iee the following resolution :
Resolved, That this Congress re corn-
menu the Governors of the several Slates
to convene their Legislatures for the pur
pose of calling an election to select two
delegates from each Congressional District,
to meet in General Convention al Louis-I
Sir, t mean this not as an idle com pi i- J The Madncts <f Attempting to Reside the
men t to tlie American character. The] Union by Force of Arms.
experience of the past twelve months has . , ... * ,
revealed in that so much of passion, pride. | Here, sir has been a magnificent temple
and bioodthirst that l am more inclined |*» perfect in all its parts as human inge-
to humility than boastfulness. I feel | nuity and labor could make it—admirably
that upon the fresh, pure soil of the new | suited to be the home of a great and happy
world we have 60vrn the seeds of discords, • family ; imper* iou& to tbe assaults* o
and they will take root. l$ut while my foreign enemies ; too refuge of the oppress-
experience, and t'no testimony of our ! piide of its inmates; the ctivj
fathers through eighty-seven vears of : « nd wonder of the world But upon what
prosperity and progress, have ‘well es- j foundation was the structure built ? bin
tablished my faith in the beneficence of a «P on ,!ic frL,e oi ‘be people. Not ot
union of .the States, I cannot understand 1 01 > p Stato or*of one section, but of n-f the
States and of all the sections. Whil
j that free will existed, the temple, was ot a
nature to withstand the ravages of time
That free will has ceased to exist, and the
temple has crumbled into dust. It is no
.more. It is a glory of the past. M hat
that its blessings are of a nature to be
enjoyed upon compulsion.
But granting it possible, tbe question
arises of equal moment: is it desirable ?—
lias not the struggle already been too
tierce to admit of unity and cordial feel- , .
ing between a conquering and a conquered 3’ ou ,10 " conceive to be tne stiuctuio is
section. ? Sir, 1 fear it has. I believe.] but a »>ontory so intense that it seems
that, while the memory of this war exists, reality*, hut the substance is not toc-ie
tbe people of the North and South»uuitcd Rebuild it it you car, but you must first
by constraint, would never sufficiently ‘ secure the free w ill ot tl
premature. This d^' i* not on ® day too
j soon for their lips. ©assort what their
I hearts know - to be true. If the people
, are not prepared, bt us commence the
J task of preparation., It is a task, already
; half accomplished, fir, indeed, the mass
es, with their unenng instiucts, have al-
j ready fathomed the depths of this great
, sea of troubles. Tb - .y would welcome re-
j union for its own sale, and for the memo-
| lies of old; or, if irevitable, they would
| accept separation, nitli a sigh of regret,
j and then push on alone in the broad path
1 of progress ; for tlmir self-reliant Anglo-
j Saxon natures would spurn tbo timid doc-
1 'trine (hat the sturdy North—their North,
j buiit by their energies, aid with millions
j of acres yet unreclaimed from the wilder
ness for expansion—is dependent on the
i South for prosperity and gtaudeur-
in cuigeucy or else iu cotton certi
which pledge the - Government to- pay
_ ~ a In _ 'a. a J* .9 " . 1*1 _ C \ T A aar
fiettes | mscuasiou, tvbtch Consumed tbe
leans middlings. Tlic said cotton to _be
paid at the rate of eight pence sterling
per pound, and to be delivered at . any
time within six months after peace, at
New Orleans Mobile, Savannah, Charles*
ton, or Wilmington, as the Secretary of
the Treasury may direct; provided that
the bonds hereby authorized shall not ex
ceed one hundred millions -dollars, and
shall be applied only to the absorption of
Treasury uotes.
Section ninth requires the Secretary of
ilie Treasury to make publication ot this
net in at least, two newspapers in each
State, and to have said publication contin
ued until the first day of August, 18G3.
Georgia Legislature.
r -, the aoce of the morning eeeaiob', when tne
same in cotton of the quality of Now Or- ^natter was referred to a special com-
mittcc.of three to sijtou joint commit
tee and report in tlie .afternoon.
Afternoon Session — House.
• The committee to whom was re
ferred the question of unfinished busi
ness reported that it is not competent
to act upon such business After pro
longed discussion the question was
laid on the table.
This seems quite a knotty question
and one in which, perhaps,. there is
no precedent. It is tbought'that the
decision will he against taking up the
| unfinished business, and the called ses
sion will act only upon new matter,
j while the unfinished business will
to come up according to ad-
Monday in
SENATE.
have
forgive tbe past year’s recoul to admit of
kindly relationship in the same political
household.
Right or wrong, men will cling to their
own impressions of a great and sanguinary
struggle, in which they or their sires have
South, which
your armies and natives cannot do.
Wliy,» then, make loud protestations
that the Union must and shall be preser
ved, when you lack the first requisite of
preservation It were foil}-, sir, to do so,
if it wore but the dream of an infatuated
ville, in Kentucky', on the first Monday of! been participants. As tbo living fathers people, but ''ken "Ut of * kat di< am conies
eptember next, the purposes of the said of future generations this day feel, so will 1,0 reality of bloodshed, lum, aim < eso a-
Convention to be to devise measures for
the restoration of peace to our country.
That resolution was laid upon the tabic.
In its place, from time to time, emanated
from this and other branches of the Gov
ernment certain edicts, laws and proclama
tions, which, while powerless to affect
rebellion at the South, have revolution
ized the political sentiment of tbe North.
Sir, 1 sincerily believe that, had my
resolution been adopted, the then vacilla
ting feeling of tbe. South would have been
won to honorable compromise, and the
blessings of peace and Union would this
day cheer the land. . But even if inef
fectual—looking back to tiie period when
1 presented it, and over the blood-stained
record of the intervening time—I feel that”
its adoption could have lent no a iditional
horrors to that fearful history'. 1 f the logic
of events should bring the conviction that
the course L then suggested might have
averted from our country the curse of a
desolating war. the responsivauy flt - ; ts
rejection will not be mine.
TT7< at has the Forth gained by going to
War'l
‘y . .
tion; when to sustain the illusion the
stimulants of war, in its most terrible form
must be applied, it is no longer folly, it is
crime. It is an invitation to tbe Almighty
to launch his curse upon a blood-enamored
race.
If we will cease tlie mad attempt to
. enforce fraternity and to compel concord,
" ill the stories of Manassas, of bhiloh, of perbap3 tbe sun d ere d links may be lejoin-
Antietam. of Fredericksburg,-of a hundred ( .j . but „ ot olie . K i ro ] <0 will f.,11 upon the
other battle-fields, bo told in the same an vjl unt il the echo of the last gun of the
spirit northward and southward from the Jast batt]c s i )a ]| have ceased to vibrate
banks of the Potomac l Will the winter over tb „ i ast bttt i e p l a ; D .
tales be similar when the youth of either y; r p appreciate the.
their children, and in natural course, the
North and tbe South will nurse their own
and seperate views of this unparalleled
epoch of carnage and contention.
Will the text-book of history conned by
the boys of Massachusetts serve hereafter
in tlie school rooms of tho Oarolinas 1 —
section gather about the hearthstone, *nd
feel the young blood tingle in their veins
at the words of white haired heroes?—
Will tho, matrons of Louisiana train their
offspring to venerate the name of Butler ?
Will tlie remembrances of Davis, Lee,
and Johnston he identical in New England
anil Virginia? No, sir. Unless mutual
consent should reunite us, the pages of
history and tho words of tradition will
extent of tins
Government’s military resources. I ac
knowledge its wonderful strength in ships,
men, and munitions. Had we a foreign
foe to grapple with, one hall tiio battles
we have waged against the, South would
have decided the issue to our triumph.—
No earthly power could resist our mag
nificent machinery of war, directed in a
cause that touched tlie people’s heart. If
tho Confederate armies, all massed to-
1 % [From tho Exanfuer.]
The C'nrrencj-Ac*- i . ,
The bill to provide fort lie further fund- j Mii.i.euukvima:, Wednesday, Mar. 2 a.
mg and issue of Treasuiy Notes was on ^ Tlie Senate was called to order by
1 yesieiday passed by both Houses ot the j President Billups, and after prayer
Confederate Congress. This bill has for; | Mr. p,rooks, of the Local
‘some time past divided with the tax bill j Churcl)> t | ie ro j| was called,
and a quorum was found to be pres
ent.
On motion of Mr. Mitchell, the proc
lamation of the Governor was read
all the important an d entered upon the journal.
The Senate then notified the
House of its organization, and a com
mittee, consisting of Messrs. Moseley
Furlow, and Dyer, was appointed to
unite with a similar House committee
to notify the Governor that the Gen
eral Assembly is organized and ready
to proceed to business. The House
not being organized for want of a
quorum, tlie Senate took a recess until
half-past eleven.
At half-past eleven the Senate con-
fened, when Mr. Mitchell offered a
resolution that the President appoint a
per cent bonds or stock until tlie door-keeper -and messongei for its ex-
d after that date I tra session, which was not agreed
»P - ,
the third
the secret legislative (attention of Congress,
j and the country, has looked with anxiety
i to tlie result. Ill its importance to the
i country at large the measuse is second
i only to the tax bill. We give below
; summary embracing
j points of tlie Act:
] All treasury Notes not bearirf£ interest,
| issued previous to the 1st December last,
shall be fnndablc fn oight per cent stock or
I bonds until the 22u of April next. ; from
; that date to the 1st August, IS63, they
] shall bo fundable in seven per cent, bonds
l or stock, and after the said 1st August they
i shall no longer be fuudablo, but shall he
! receivable in payment of public dues,
j except the export duty on cotton, and pay
able six months after the ratification ot a
treaty of peace. All Treasury Notes, not
hearing interest, issued after the 1st De
cember, 1SG2. and within ten days after
the passage of this act, shall bo lundahlc
in seven
! first of August, next, an
breathe ot the sympathies that now exist ; Ketbcr an ,i fi rc ,l with the lust of subjuga
I 1 •venerations to come will as surelv .•
he cducaVeu at !° n8 . to . cf,me wm s,lre, - v tion, should invade one Northern Stale the
prejudices. The scimoJ-Sl^^ 1 , opP« s, . tc ’ i thought of our violated firesides would
I and the press would then, as now, llrci.’ arouse an etierirv that would scatter the
Sir, I desire to shun tlie language of j catc doctrines that cannot assiin ’
—and to avoid unnecessary retro-j in this Capitol tho representatives ot the
speciion. I dragthe past iron, i, fl shroud I people would he the representatives ot
only as an imploration for the future.— I scc^nal antipathies.
now,”liii\o’ arouse an energj 7 that would scatter the
iilate ; and ] a 'q lis war‘ 1 »'lV e S.. i .’® fore the wind. But
For two years we liave been leagued
with death. Wc have inflamed ourselves
into the wildest state of warlike frenzy.—
In our legislative halls, in our market
places, r-nd in our temples of worship we
have tumbled the white image of peace
from ns pedestal. Upon the edge of the
sword we have bailanced our country’s
fate. We have rebuked, and vilified, and
chastised and shut out from the light of
heaven all those that would not re-echo the
hoars'* notes of war.
Passion, excitement, an overstrained
philanthropy, a false inspiration for the
emblem of our nationality, a heroic but
misdirected devotion to the Union—all
these have had their sway. It is time
that reason should sit in judgment, taking
council only from humanity. We invoke
the spirit of war to save—it came but to
destroy. Our treasuries are emptied.—
Our posterity will be accursed with a
crushing debt. Hundreds of thousands
of our bravest rest in untimely graves. As
many more, limbless, with shattered
frames or broken by disease, moau iu hos
pitals or crave alms by the highways.—
Ever}’where the garb of mourning afliicts
the eye—a silent reproach from orphans,
widows and bereaved parents. Tbe
death-blow, struck upon the battle field
is felt in the cottager’s distant house.—
There you may find the saddest record of
the war. You will trace it in the lines
upon the matron’s brow ; you will sec it
in the whiteness of the young bride's
cheek ; you will hear it in the subdued
tones of (he father’s voice, who feels tbe
staff’ of his age shivered from his grasp.---
Graves in our valleys, sufferers in our
hospitals, desolation at every hearthstone,
distrust in our rulers, distrust in ourselves,
bankruptcy, anarchy and ruin—these
are the triumphs won by your relentless
policy
Sir, to avoid this, we must avoid inflic
ting the sting of submission or engender
ing the pride of conquest.
To me that future of domestic discontent
of jealousy, distrust, and irritation is so
comes homo to the heart of t :iT?'‘ifvrl.’ 14 ' 1 >ri
arc lighting for subjugation ; with a patri
otic ulterior purpose, perhaps, but s'ilifor
subjugation. If that is a principle,^ it is
one that can never arouse the energies of
the Aincfiean people.
The foe has ns at a disadvantage, sir.—
He believes that lie is fighting for the
i shall be fundable only in bonds bearing
| four per cent, interest, and payable at any
I time not exceeding thirty years from the
• date thereof, and all such notes not fun-
j da'uKi shall be receivable in payment of
i public dues except the export duty on cot-
' ton. and shall be payable six months after
! peace. All call certificates bearing eight per
] ce,nt interest, shall with the accrued interest
] he fundable on or before the 1st of July,
■ 1SG3, in bonds bearing interest at tbe rate
1 *'",r cent and* payable at anytime.
i provided that tlie accrued interest
said-may, at the option of the holder, he
; paid instead of being funded. All call
to.
The House having organized, the
joint committee raised for the purpose
waited on the Governor to inform him
of their readiness to receive any com
munication from him. While they
were out, Mr. \ ason offered a resolu
tion that a joint committee of three,
from each house, be appointed to de
vise the best means of getting at the
amount of surplus corn, peas bacon
April „
The House agreed to tlie Senate
resolutions in reference to referring the
Governor’s Message to joint special
committees. [I will send the House
committece as soon as they are an
nounced; below I give you the com
mittees on the part of Senate, obtain
ed since I closed my Senate report];
Committees on th$ Governor's Message.
Committee on Planting Cotton—
Messrs. Furlow, Stafford, Wright, Har
ris, Echols, Beasley, Jas. R. Brown,
Mitchell, Dyer, Alexander.
Committee on Transpotation—
Messrs. Wm. M. Brown, Mosely, Grif
fin, Gaston, Shewmake, Jas. Hillard,
Jackson.
Committee on Confederate Bonds—
Messrs. Seward, Lewis, Vason Ste
phens, Killen.
Committee on Distillation—Mose
ley, Harris, Thos. Hilliard, J. H. Ech
ols, Pinkard.
Committee on Small Pox—Messrs.
Beasly, Jackson, McRea.
The portion relating to military af
fairs was referred to the standing com
mittee on military.
On motion of Mr. Rees, of Sumter,
the hours of the session were fixed from
9 to i and 3 to 6.
EOU8& .
‘- 474 ■ ' • . Scturday 35th.
Tho'Home met according to adjourn,
meut.
The Hduse met at t» o'clock. Pray er
by Rev. Mr. Stewart, member from
Schley.
Leave of absence was granted to Messrs.
Black, White, Dubose, and Washing
ton.
,Judge Cabiness moved to reconsider
the resolution in reference to taking op
tbe business of the last session which
motion prevailed. He then offered to
amend, so that tbe resolution to take a
recess be rescinded, and that the unfinish
ed business be taken up in its order, pro
vided that any bills relating to the recom
mendations of the Governor shall be in or
der at any timo. The resolution was adopt-
ed. If the Senate concur, this vexed
question is disposed of.
Mr. Tatum offered n resolution that a
committee be appointed to request copies
of 'be sermons of Rev. Drs. Fierce and
Palmer for publication, which was adop
ted.
JSew Matter.
Mr. Gibson of Chatham, introduced
a bill to divert and divide the school fund
for the relief of soldiers’ families.
Mr. Waldrom, of Glasscock—A bill to
compensate D. B. Kitckens for a slave
who died from neglect at Savannah.
Mr. Heard, oFMiller—A bill to change
the line between Miller and Eerly coun
ties.
Mr. Robinson, of Muscogee—A bill
to authorize the city of Columbus to sell •
certain commons ; also a bill to define tho
qualification of voters in the city of Col
umbus.
Mr. Lee, of Muscogee—A bill to pre
scribe the manner and place of holding
public sales iu Columbus; also resolutions
to inquire into the disposition made of the
funds for the clothing of Georgia troops,
and for tbe support of soldiers’families;
also a bill to admit certain deeds of record
in evidence.
Mr. Akin ot Bartow—A bill to increase
the fees of public officers.
Mr. Gibson, of Chatham, offered an
additional rule, that measures adopted be
immediately transmitted to the Senate
when no objection is made, without a vote
—which was adopied.
Mr. Tatum offered|a series of resolutions
of approval of the policy of those States
that have endorsed Confederate bonds, and
declaring that Georgia will adopt the same
Leave of absence was granted to 1 po ] ic y ~
Messrs. Mann of Gordon, Key of Qlav* I Briscoe—A bill to increase the pay
ton, Hine of Effingham, Zachary of j 0 f the Public printer.
- Newton, Clement of Walton, Pitts of] Mr. Bfoodworth—A bill to equalize
?nd^e<dJield imtlie State, and at mak-^j p u j ton> E ason 0 f Tattnall, WalttJn j taxation.
mg it at ailablc for the army and peo- j of wi]keg a|1(J N orw0 od of Chatham. 1 -Mr. Raiford—A bill to repeal the Stay
palpable and painful that, in place of giv- sanctity of his home; for the freehold
ing life and treasure to sustain it, I would of his native soil ; for social institutions
make an equal sacrifice to escape it. Our \ that he was taught to justity, and for his
fathers gave us a Union founded upon } conception of Belf government,
mutual consent, concession, and reciprocal j Therefore it is that the South lias main-
attachment ; wc would entail upon our tained itself, defiant, resolute, and lmpe-
childrcn a political connection based upon ful, agaiust the most formidable miii-
hatred, suspicion, aud opposing prejudices. ] tary operations known in the history of
A nationality thus constituted would be a j war.
mockery of republicanism, and its baue.— j With such convictions, and believing
It would be as the consurnation of a inar- that every hour of hostilities tends to^iur
riage where antipathy usurped the place ! farther estrangement, I have never voted
of love. A political prostitution. The ; a dollar for the war. As a legislator, as a
joining of hands before and alter whose j citizen, aud as a man, I claim to be absol-
divfnity could attest the heart’s irrepressi- j ved from all participation in this murderous
ble loathing and disgust. Had I tho . strife. With ali my humble, abilities I
faculty to crush with one blow the matori-j have endeavored to arrest it. I shall
al power of tho South I would not strike, j still endeavor, and if in vain, let my efforts
My pride as an American would revolt at i attest before God and man that I am
the thought of dragging them, reluctant, | unstained with the blood of my country-
helpless, and spirit broken into a fellow- j men.
ship that they abhor. Union restored by j Can this stabbing, and shooting, and
subjugation would be but the prelude of ! rending with shells convince the wrong, or
increasing altercation. It is not enough i reconcile the angry, or inspire with cen
to affirm that I would not enforce the ] fidence those that distrust, and with friend-
unnattural connection; sir, I would not 1 ship those that hate us i Will time and
consent to it. I would oppose it as n ' habit make subjugation nceeptable to a
degradation to ourselves, an insult to otir proud and sensitive race/ At this day
institutions, and a violation of our princi- Poland, struggling in her chains with
pies of self-government. : hopeless -desperation, is ai severing the
: question. When I look about me and see
The Scpcration of the X01 tk and South this spacious hall filled with enlightened
Should he Granted. j gentlemen, clothed with great power and
. , with gieat responsibilities, I am amazed
I confess, sir. I apprehend no difficulties j lbat with dl tbis CO nscntiation of intellect
or misfoi tunes, iu the cveot^of a separation 1 upon ouc gu hject, no means can be devised
” * 1 lo accomplish a political end without con-
j certificates of every description outstand
ing 011 the 1st of July, 1863, shall, after j and referred, and oil motion
! that date, be deemed to be bonds, bearing I Pinckani
! interest of six per cent, and payable at i printed
! a date not exceeding thirty years from the ! ^ „ ic T f . r
- -- b jj A resolutioii’froin the House mrefer-
Tiio Governor’s Message wns read
of M r.
ordered
100 copies were
said 1st July, 18G3.
In lieu of the power hereaftere given to
| issue Treasury Notes, the Secretary of the
j Treasury is authorized to issue monthly,
j an amount of such notes, bearing no in-
| terest, net exceeding fifty millions of dol-
: lars receivable for public dues, except
I export duty on cotton, payable six months
after peace, and fundable at the pleasure
of tbe holder during the .twelve months
from the first day of the month o’f their
issue, in bonds bearing different rates of
interest, according to the time of their
funding. Iffunded within twelve months,
six per cent; if funded after that period,
four per cent.
The third section provides that no more
cal! certificates shall be issued, but the
notes bearing six per cent, interest may be
converted at pleasuro into call certificate,
bearing live per cent, interest. Every
such certificate shall bear upon its face
tiie moTrthlj- tlnio of the oldest of tbe moot,
which it represents and bo convertible
into like notes at any time within six
nionthsfiom the first day of the month of
its issue. But every certificate not reeon-
vierted within six months from the first day
of its monthly date shall be exchanged for
a bond payable within thirty years from
Tie Ad/nmisti at ton— Its
Subjugation of a. people Impossible—The
Folly of Talking of tie l iiir.n.
The close of each campaign tells the
repeated tale of victoiies barren of all
fruits, or of delLatj with an equal absence
of result; of mu vance and retrogression ; of
generals hurried up to (he high post of
honor, and as hastily thrust aside. The
Administration, through its partisan press
es, occupies tlie people with rich prom
ises of achievements in the future, hut
achieves only the stale nothings of the
past. Assuming tHat the reconstruction
of the Union is the object of the struggle,
I ask every citizen not willfully blind
to our present condition, • Have we not
been receding from that object ! Has
all this blood letiug abated one jot of the
Vjver of robellion ? Has it not confirmed
l Kmalignity—deep seated it into the very
Soiq, e , n heart ? Sir, it has done more ;
it hatq^afjg disuuiou the sentiment of the
entire V, t h.
' s NJiitual to throw the weight of
responsibly, f or otar failures upon
the AdmuA^ation and its Generals.—
imbecility incompetence have, in
dead, been sutkff^j an( j conspicuous, but
H not to these dAl attr i.-,ute the failure,
utter, unequKo ca i t an j irredeemable
ure °f nur cnty-prisc of conquering
L ‘l ,e . Lm , on ’ J ^ lc of the
seperne is simply due to impossibility
oi it* accomplishment. We <;an nev J f
hr torco of arms, control the wqj 0 j a
U’.opleour equals in the attributes of e iv
f/gbtemd manhood; and while the will of
jliat pmrfce remains adverse to political
fonipanimsVip with us political compan-
onship :s inmossible. Bloodshed, des-
ti action of property, fl ud occupation of
lands are possibV;; much Buffering, gii e f,
hud folly are possible—we have loo tadly
/proved it; but a constrained union of
sovereign States is an impossibility, which,
if ouinqio'ence could accomplish, omnis
cience would not attempt. Six millions
of Americans, whether they occupy the
North, the South, the East, or the West,
cannot be governed except in accordance
V itb their sovereign will.
at all commensurate with those that must i
inevitably prove the sequences of reunion I vcrt ; tl j e countrv i Hlo shambles and its
by mere force of arms. people into butchers.
1 can conceive two great republics, 1 1
]jrt, the War he stopped—Let the Forth
_ _ proclaim fur Peace.
area of self-goveniineiit, the one northward r . . , „
and westward, the other southward and . ,s \'° time to argue the terms of am-
westward. united for mutual defense, and ' cahie ^jostmeni with a duelist when his
protected by u wise and generous alliance ! ? n K or ' 8 ,,!0 trigger; he must first be
from the jar of conflicting interests. I can '" v,t ? (1 tf * l ' we r T tiiU ras, ™ incnto1 ' lc:l,h ’
conceive the gravitating toward each other, ! Tlie ,Ilt f le ‘: t 1 of our ^ at ^men arc now pre
drawing nearer and nearer as asperities occupied with war ; them natures, mental
and unpleasant memories soften with the ; ar5t ^ ln ® ra • a . ru c c ' l ,n 10 11 1 ' a
lapse of timo, until, when the safe and i feverish excitement create., by the con-
Failure— The natural limits of political affinity shall have templation of tbo.changing fortunes of a
been determined: tbe two mighty nations desperate and ■ bloody struggle. Grant
shall merge again into one apon afouuda- j * iem a» interval of repose ; a respite from
All that has been done is but what, were expanding to grandeur, moving side upon
the past revocable, reaso’n and humanity | principles almost identical, extending the
would recall. With all respect for the
valor of our armies, and without reproach
to tlie capacity or fidelety of our generals,
not one tangle of this Gordian knot has tlie
sword severed; not one avenue has it
carved through the frowning and stea
dily enlarging barrier between Noitli and
Mouth.
tion perfected by the experiences of the Ubc absolute tyranny that war exerts oyer
past. But I cannot conceive a happy, i‘^/eelings of mankind, and their thoughts
rpn.Kti.nn ] will revert into a natural channel, and
prosperous, and republican union, coinent
cd by blood, remoulded in repugnance,
and prolonged by the submission of tho
weak to the dictation of tho strong.
: will seek to unravel these disordered po
litical masks with tlie patient labor of tlie
! brain. From us, as being materially the
(stronger partv, the proposition for an ar-
A partnership in our Confederacy should | mUtice can come with a go..d grace. Let
be granted as a boon, ind only to. those ! wise and just men from rll the States as-
that beck it; not enforced as an obligation ■ srmble in conveuti< - n ; it then, sir, no hon-
upon those that a.*k it not. 1 should he | orable peace can lie secured, my faith in
held a ptivilege to lie proud of, not an (human nature will have passed away,
imposition to shrink from and protest, Bir, before that solemn couclave'wonld
against.' Were I certain that, in a mili- j come as an advocate the ghost of the buried
tary sense, tins war would prove success- j } ear, with all its mournful memories, with
fill, nevertheless I would oppose it; forjitsljundrcdsof'thousandsofghastlysfiee-
with the destruction of the resisting power . tres> with its record of anguish, hereave-
of the South would vanish every hope of j meu t, and desolation; and its warning
their existence as equal and contented fi nger would point to a vision of the fn-
aicmhers ot one household. How much {ure, in semblance of itself, but more hid-
more firmly, then, shall I oppose it when , C ous a thousand fold.
I feel that, aa a mere trial for supremacy While my country groans beneath the
in arms, it will tesult only iu mutual ex- | stroke of her own dagger, I forswear all
haustion. . , ■ allegiance to party. Whatever proposi-
In my view, therefore, this war, nomi-’tion, in my mind, shall enhance the pros-
n&lly for tba Uniom has actually been j pect of a peace, shall have my vote.—
waged against it. W ith that belief, rather ] Peace is the goal of my political course,
thau prolong, itjl would concede a sepera- ! the haven of my hopes. I care not by
tion as the only means of an ultimate re- , whose chart I steer ; or whose hand shall
union upon such principles as a true repub- | guide the helm, so that the compass shall
lican should entertain. Animosities have | point thitherward. Whosoever shall raise
been engendered, and conflicting princi- its standard shall find me ready to serve
pies have been developed by hostilities ; beneath its folds. Whosoever shall bla-
j to an extent that renders reunion in the zf >n tbe dive* branch for Lis device shall
present stat« of feeling an event to shrink ! have me his adherent. In whatever sliap^
trom as unnatural. Those conflicting , t j 10 demon of destruction shall appear, I
principles may bo reconciled when the ’ w iH oppose him. In whatever garb tbe I
smoke of battle shall have pdsscd away, ! 8p j r fc of Peace shall clothe her radiant
ju sure y.not until theu. When every i form, I will embrace her. Conciliation,
conci a ory measure shall have been j compromise, or separation, each shall be
rcsor e o in \ain; when negotiation ( acceptable to me if as its consequence we
shall have been resorted to in vam ; when shall be spared the scourge of war. Let
nc g ° m >oa fi a ia\e been exhausted; the most zealous emancipationist suggest
when the purpose of the Southern people a cessation of hostilities, mkl I am with
to abstain from political companionship L: » - -■ • * «
ith us shall have been demonstrated
as fixed and inevocable, and not tbe
ence to thp observance of fast day was
concurred in, and Messrs. J. R. Brown
Stafford and Stephens were appointed
a joint committee, on the part of the
Senate, to make suitable arrange
ments for the observance of the day.
Mr. Vagon’s resolution in reference
to surplus corn, Ac., was taken up and
referred to a special committee, con
sisting of .Messrs. Vason, Echols and
Stephens.
On motion of Mr. Killen, the rules
of the last session were adopted.
Bills nad thc First - Time.
Mr. Dyer, a bill to compensate tbe
citizens of this State whose slaves
have died in the service of the State;
by Mr. Mason, a bill to provide for
protecting titles to land when parties
dii; «u<l have bonus out for titles; by
Mr. .Mitchell, ro rogulate the trans
portation of provisions- on the several
railroads in this State.
The Senate then adjourned to 3
o’clock P. 31.
■i o’clock P. M.—Senate—Mr. Mitch-
L«w, excepting as relates to soldiers in
the field.
Mr. Dever, of Polk—A resolution in
the expiration of the said six months, and • ii 1 1 , ,,
■ • • ... . r,, ell introduced a bill to leeahze the re
hearing six per cent, interest. 1 rcasury 1 s u ,c
with us shall have been demonstrated
r»cvocable, and not tbe
L a ane^ r t eB ° IV ? 8 ofheat ? d M° od ’those' w"ho VnoTncc The^IdEat^on"
him. Let the staunchest member of the
opposition uphold the war, and I am a-
I have no sympathies with
gainst him.
shall not nnlv SC e88 ,* y 8tru ?6^ e I j ai!( i y et ca jj f or v jg 0r0U8 hostilities,
ration. ' € ° UD6 ®1» ^ 3liall urge a sepa- j Let the friends of peace proclaim them-
' selves as suchf Let them not fear to be
Notes which, by the operation of this act,
become fundable into bonds bearing a
yearly interest of four per cent, may be
converted into call certificates bearing
interest at the rato of four per cent, from
this date until reconverted or paid, tlie
said certificates being reconvertible <at any
time by the holder iuto notes fundable in
four per cent, bonds. But the ;Saicl cer
tificates may be redeemed by the Govern
ment after six months from the ratification
of a_treaty of peace.
The fourth section provides that all
bonds or registered stock authorized by this
act, shall be payable in not less than thirty
years; but shall be redeemable five years
after date, at the pleasure of the Govern
ment; and shall in all other respects con
form to existing laws.
Section fifth provides for the purchase
by the Secretary of tbe Treasury, of notes
bearing no interest and issued after the
passage of this act until the whole curren
cy is reduced to one hundred and seventy
five million dollars.
Section sixth provides that Treasury
Notes hereby allowed to be issued, may
be of any denomination not less than five
dollars, and that the authority given by
the Act shall cease at tlie expiration of
the first session of Congress after the rati
fication of peace.
The seventh section allows the Secre
tary of tbe Treasury to issue notes of the
denominations of one dollar and of two
dollars and fifty cents, to such an amount
as, in addition to the notes of one dollar
heretofore issued, shall not exceed fifteen
million dollars and said notes shall be pay
able six months after peace, and receivable
in payment of all public dues, except ex
port duty on cotton.
Section eight authorizes tlie Secre
tary of the Treasury to sell bonds bear-
ing.six per cent interest, and payable
at par for Treasury Notes issued since
the 1st December, 1S62, to such of
tlie Confederate States as may desire to
purchase the same; or ho may sell such
bonds when guaranteed by any of the
States, upon such plau as lie may decide
upon, for Treasury Notes, on. such terms
ns he may deem advisable, to the highest
bidder, aud not below par, provided that
the whole amount of such bonds shall not
exceed two hundred million dollars; and
provided further, that the Treasury notes
thus purchased shall not be re-issued if
the effect of such ic-issito would be to in
crease to whole amount of Treasury Notes
bearing no interest which are in circula
tion, to a sum greater than one hundred
aud 3eventy-five millions of dollars. The
Secretary of the Treasury is also author
ized, after the 1st July, 1863, to issue and
sell at not less than par coupon bonds of
the Confederate States bearing six per
cent, interest. The said coupons to be
paid at tho pleasure of the owner, either
turn of FJoyd Superior Court; Mr.
Killen, a bill to change the 24SSth
section of the code, so that executors
and administrators need not attach
copy vouchers to returns.
Mr Mitchell offered a resolution,
that as doubts existed as to the pro
priety of action on the unfinished bu
siness of last session, the question be
referred (o a special committee. Mr.
Seward offered a substitute, that the
unfinished business could not he taken
up without a modification of the ac
tion of the last General Assembly.
The question caused a good deal of
running debate, and without taking
any action the matter was laid on the
table until tomorrow morning. The
Senate then adjourned to 9 o’clock to
morrow morning.
HOUSE.
The House convened at 10 o’clock
and after prayer by Rev. C. A. Ful-
wood, of the Georgia Methodist Con
ference, the roll was called, and it
was found that a quorum was not
present. The House therefore took a
recess until half-past twelve. At that
hour, the train from Gordon having
arrived, the House convened and a
quorum being present, proceeded to
qualify \\ in. Hodges, Esq., member
elect froqi Washington county, vice
Judge James S. Hook, resigned.
A committee of three, consisting
ofMessrs. Tatum, Moore and Under
wood, was appointed to join the Sen
ate committee in waiting upon the
Governor, to notify him of the organ
ization of General Assembly.
On motion of Dr. Cochran, Lieut.
Col. Rivers, of the 49th Ga. Regiment
was invited to a seat on the floor of
the House.
On motion of Mr. Mallard, of Lib
erty, a committee consisting of Mall
ard, Dumas, Smith of Brooks, Whit
tle and Briscoe, was appointed to join
Senate committee iu making arrange
ments for the observance of Fast
day.
The message of the Governor was
then taken up and read.
Judge Cochran introduced a resolu
tion that theGeneral Assembly proceed
at once to the unfinished business of the
last session. He stated his object to be
to rescind the action of last session in
taking a recess, and to go on with tbe
business as if therfrhad been no recess.
I he resolution caused a protracted
Call of Counties for new Matter
On a call of the counties, the fol
lowing bills were introduced: j reference to tho abuse of the Conscript
Mr. Akin, a bill tp change the Hue Act and Exemption Bill.
1 i. 1 . 1 r>1 Mr. Mitchell, of Pulaski—A bill to
between Gordon and Bartow. . ... . , t, ,
, ,• n 1 , ... . 1 incorporate tue Commercial Bank ot
Mr. Gresham, of Burke, a bill to Q eor gj a
repeal all special road laws in‘Burke ’ Mr. Owens, of McIntosh—A bill to
county. authorize the Governor to reimburse funds
Mr. Lester, of Cobb, a hill to allow spent in obstructing rivers,
troops from this State to vote on a day Mr. Whittle, of Bibb—A bill tp extend
subsequent-to the day of election in <lic corporate limits of the city of Ma-
certain cases. i con -
Mr. Dickinson, of Decatur, a bill to I . Mr - Barnc «* of Richmond—A bill to
provide for administration on tlie es- ! 1 “ c t reRSe , ,he f ? es a * ld 6ala . r , ieS S’!
1 ^ ro t cm I state and county officers. Also, a petition
tate of O. L- t.hiawtca. , j - rom John Wilkinson for compensation for
Mr Smith, ot Brooks, a bill to \ a slave executed—referred to Committee
authorize the issue of grants to cer- 1 on Petitions.
tain lots of land in Lowndes county. | Mr. Adams offered a resolution direc-
Mr. Waltou, of Wilkes, a hill to : ‘ing that the slaves impressed for the
allowed Courts of Ordinary to asssign ! coast defences be returned, and that if
. . I others are needed, that they be drawn
„ • . rTT , . .,,, , from counties that bare not furnished a
Mr Strickland, of Ilari^, abillto change : ta
the line between Madison and Halt ] Q n niotion, all the resolutions on the
counties. | table were taken up and committees ap-
Mr. Jones, of Harris, a bill for the pointed to carry out their objects,
relief of Nathan Sassmore.
Mr. Harget, of Harris, a hiil to al
low T. C. David to practice medi
cine.
Mr Lee, of Muscogee, a hill to char
ter the Georgia Home Insurance C0111-
pauy.
Also, a hill to incorporate the Me
chanics Saving Association,
.Mr. Whittle, of Bibb—A hill to al
ter the name of the Macon Insurance
and Trust Company to Mechanics In
surance and Trust Company.
Mr. Lavvhon, of Terrell—A hill to
dispense with administration in cer-
cases. ^
Tlie House adjourned until to-mor
row morning at 9 o’clock.
SENATE.
The Senate met according to adjourn
ment.
The Senate was opened with prayer by
Rev. Wm. A/osely, at 9 o’clock.
Gen. Hansell, from the 20th district,
appeared and took his seat.
On motion of Mr. Hansell, Drs. Pierce
and Palmer and Gen. Doles were invited
to scats on the floor.
Mr.
Few Matter.
Echols—A bill to prevent
the
HOUSE.
Monday, March 30.
The House met according to adjourn
ment.
The Ilonse took up tLe_bill to change
the line between Bortow and Gordon,
which was lost upon division.
Mr. Briscoe, trom the committee on
distillation, reported a bill to prevent the
distillation of spirituous liquors from corn,
wheat, rye, barley, potatoes, peas, sugar
cane, Chinese cane, molasses, sugar or
dried frnit, except for medicinal purposes,
under licence from the Inferior Gourt;
aud that the doors of the distilleries shall
not be closed against public inspection;
that irresponsible persons shall not be
employed to carry on distilleries. The
penalty for violation of the act to be a fine
] of from one to two thousand dollars for
each offence or imprisonment for six
| months. 200 copies were ordered to be
printed.
A resolution instructing tax receivars
to receive the returns according to the
valnc of Confederate money was amended
so as fo exempt persons who have been
driven from their homes. Referred to a
special committee.
A bill to amend the character of the
Brunswick and Albany Railroad Company
—passed.
A bill to repeal the act compelling non-
spread of small pox in the county of j residents grazing stock in Colquit county
Oglethorpe.
Mr. Gordon—A bill to establish rates of
dockage and wharfage in the city of Sa
vannah.
Mr. Jackson—A bill to regulate tho
payment of interest in certain cases.
Mr. Mitchell—A bill to relieve certain
citizens of Floyil county from double
tax.
Mr. Killcn’s bill repealing the 2SSth
and 2490th sections of the code was taken
up and passed—relates to the act requiring
copies of vouchers to be made with the
annual returns of Administrators, &c
A bill to legalize the returns-to Floyd
Superior and Inferior Courts was taken
up and passed.
A Committee was appointed, on the part
of the Senate, to join House Committee
in aolictiug copies of the sermons* of Drs.
Pierce and Palmer for publication.
The resolutions of Mr* Echols, asking
the return of the negroes employed on tho
coast defence, iu order, if necessary, that
their places may be supplied with other
negroes, was taken up and adopted.
Mr. Lewis was permitted to introduce
a bill to anthorize executors administra-
ors, trustees and guardians to receive pay
ment for elaims due estates in State or bacco may be planted, any violation of
to pay tax thereon iu said county, was
lost.
The bill to prescribe the mode of draw
ing and summoning tales jurors in crim
inal cases iu Chatham county—passed.
The bill to amend the act incorporating
the trustees of tho Masonic Hall in the
city of Milledgcville—passed.
A bill to change the line between Bal
dwin and Jones counties—passed.
A biii for the relief of Turner Brown, of
Bibb—passed.
Leave of absence was here granted to
Mr. Slappy, of Twiggs.
A bill to repeal the license laws was
taken up, when Mr. Thrasher offered a
substitute. A motion was made to lay
both bills on the table for the present,
which upon the call of yeas and nay*;
prevailed.
A bill to authorize certain parties to
open the Oconee river, from tbe town of
Athens to its soutce, was received, in or
der to perfect its details.
A bill to exempt one slave from levy
and sale, was referred.
The special committee on cotton plant
ing reported a bill providing that one acre
of cotton and one-Tourtb of an acre in to-
Confederate bonds.
JJfr. James R. Brown introduced a bill
to aiueud tbe oath of taxpayers—requires
that they shall say on oath that their
property is not woith less in currency
than tbe sum for which they give it in. .
Also • bill to repeal tho 1376th section
of tbe CoAa.
Mr..Thomas Hillard A bill to repeal an
act to authorise tbe Inferior Oourt of Ware
county to levy an extra tax to build a
Court House. ■ .
which is punished by a fine of $500 per
acre planted, one-half to tbe informer,
the other to the soldiers’ families. Hands
are to be between the ages of 15 and 50.
Also provides for a survey of the land
where there is suspicion of a violation, and
every planter to return tbe number of
hands and acres planted. Repeals tbe
act of the last session, and requires tbe
Circuit Judges to give the same in special
charge to the grand juries.
Mr. Lester presented a minority re P ort '
