HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THURSDAY, February 19, 1863.The reading of the Clerk's minutes of yesterday's proceedings was dispensed with.
WORK FOR COMMITTEES.
House bills 191 to 214 inclusive--introduced day before yesterday and the day previous--were read the second time and appropriately referred; except 191, 193, 205 and 211, which were ordered engrossed.
page: 159[View Page 159]GOV. MORTON AND HIS MILITARY OFFICERS.
Mr. HARNEY offered the following:
WHEREAS, It appears by the Indiana State Journal, of the 17th inst., that there was a meeting held on the 7th inst of the officers of the 27th regiment of Indiana volunteers at their camp, near Stratford Court House, Virginia, at which meeting among others the following resolution was adopted;
"Resolved, that in the resolutions of Messrs. Brown and Wolfe, (Senators,) of Washington and Wells counties, we see nothing less than treason in its broadest sense, and as such deserving the penalty attached to the highest crime known to our laws, and we recommend that Governor Morton make an example of them at once, and, if necessary, to recall the 27th regiment of Indiana volunteers to enforce that or any other such emergency as may rise;" therefore,
Resolved, That it is a matter of deep regret on the part of the members of this House that any officer in the service of the Government should so far forget the obligations of the soldier or the duties of the citizen as to support or countenance resolutions of the character above recited, calculated to foment and encourage insubordination in the army by introducing party divisions and political discussions in their most violent and offensive forms, making it the right and duty of officers and soldiers who differ with them to protest against such measures in language equally as pointed and decisive, and tending directly to produce civil war at home by rallying the constituency of a representative to his defense when threatened by a power they themselves created and posted for the protection of the rights they now threaten to destroy,and
WHEREAS, The above recited resolution is reported to have been endorsed by all the commissioned officers of said regiment except one Lieutenant Jerger, of Company K, and have been sent to this city for the purpose of being published in the Indiana State Journal a paper ardently in the support of Governor Morton, which facts are calculated to give unusual significance to the proposition therein suggested, and involving as it does the dignity of this General Assembly, the personal safety of its members, we deem it due to ourselves and the Governor of the State to have a full understanding of the matters; therefore,
Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor be requested to communicate to this House at his earliest convenience whether He approves or condemns the above recited resolution; and also, whether any officers in the service of this State or the General Government, civil or military, has ever submitted to him a proposition to bring troops into this State, or using those that are now here for the purpose of overwhelming this General Assembly or to prevent the execution of any laws they might enact.
Mr. HARNEY spoke eloquently in support of his resolution. His illustrations from history were apt, beautiful and conclusive, touching the respect always paid by the citizen to the soldier, bat insisting at the same time upon the subordination of the military to the civil authority. This matter had at last come to a point. Do we pay men, do we support them, do we honor them for the purpose of introducing politics in their camps? Do we do all these things for the purpose of having threats sent back against us while in the exercise of our liberties as citizens? He wished to know if Governor Morton approved of the action of these soldiers, if he disclaimed it, it would be all right. If he approved it, it then would be known where we stand. Then would we know whether it was determined or not to maintain the supremacy of the civil authorities that the rights and liberties of the citizen might be maintained intact.
Mr. JOHNSON said no doubt many regiments were willing to volunteer to come home to aid the Governor in suppressing rebellion, if it takes place, and put down traitors here. I think there are traitors in Indiana.
Mr. PUETT. Give the names of the men.
Mr. JOHNSON stated he had received a letter written by a Democrat to his son in that regiment, who was in the guard house, expressing his sorrow, but, preferring that he would remain there till the end of the war rather than fight farther in this war. Also, that they had at home an organization, the K. G. C's., composed of Democrats only, and if he escaped from the army, they would protect him, as they would not let another deserter be taken back from Indiana. On such data he thought there were traitors in Indiana numbered by thousands.
Mr. HARNEY asked if the peace resolutions were treasonable.
Mr JOHNSON. They are not outspoken treason.
Mr. LAMB read an extract from the Richmond Whig, endorsing them as treasonable.
Mr. HARNEY said if there was treason in the matter, it was in the editor of the Indianapolis Journal who got them published in the Richmond Whig.
Mr. JOHNSON. The army look on any compromise or armistice as treason.
Mr. HARNEY. Do you think it treasonable to favor an armistice?
Mr. JOHNSON. Such propositions are a disgrace to the State of Indiana. They are intended to protract the war, and secure the recognition of the Confederacy. He knew the sentiments of the army by resolutions and by letters. On the ground assumed by the soldiers they were guilty of no wrong in passing such resolutions. The majority of the officers in that regiment were Democrats, and loyal Democrats. He knew the men, officers and privates of the 27th regiment; he had the honor of serving in that regiment as Surgeon, and he knew that they regarded gentlemen on this floor, because of their disloyal resolutions, as sympathizers with traitors.
Mr. MILROY. Any man who says I am a sympathizer with traitors is an infernal liar.
The SPEAKER called "order."
Mr. PUETT hoped that the word "traitor," with regard to members on this floor, would be dropped henceforth.
Mr. JOHNSON did not say that there were traitors on this floor. He knew, he repeated, the sentiment of the soldiers. He had seen them shed tears of grief over the tidings which reach them through the Indiana Sentinel. Was it wonderful, then, that they should tender their services to Governor Morton, when those who had been their friends at home deserted them, page: 160[View Page 160] to maintain the laws of Indiana--to prevent the taking of Indiana out of the Union and attaching her to a Northwestern Confederacy?
Mr. BROWN. Does the gentleman really suppose that there are men in Indiana, Democrats, who desire to take Indiana out of the Union?
Mr. JOHNSON, I do.
Mr. BROWN, I demand that the gentleman shall name the men who desire to do this thing.
Mr. HARNEY hoped gentlemen would discuss the resolutions temperately.
Mr. JOHNSON, Did not believe the majority or the House intend to introduce resolutions this session to take the State out of the Union, because the majority don't favor it, and others dare not do it.
A Voice--"Why do they not dare do it?"
Mr. JOHNSON. Because of the strong arm of the loyal people.
Mr. BROWN, Name them.
Mr. JOHNSON. There are members or the Democratic party who do favor it. They know who they are.
Mr. BROWN again demanded their names, as he would not lie under such imputation, and denied its truth.
Mr. JOHNSON declined to give way for questions, but was glad that gentlemen were ready to let the country know just where they stood. He was himself for the war till the rebellion was crushed. He referred to the threat that the Democracy would resist force by force.
Mr. HARNEY. Do you suppose any man would submit to such a threat as that in the resolutions without resisting it?
Mr JOHNSON. I understood him to say that he would resist threat by threat. These soldiers do not desire to crush any loyal man. Why need the gentleman feel guilty and afraid if their skirts and that of their party are clear of treason?-- If there were no traitors there would be no fear on this score, and fewer arbitrary arrests. The 27th Regiment is loyal, and and has not taken up political questions.
Mr. ABBETT. Are you willing to vote for a resolution to exonerate this body from this infamous charge of being traitorous.
Mr. JOHNSON. If you take back some of your resolutions relative to a National Convention and armistice I will.
Mr. BROWN. We do not propose to take back anything.
Mr. WOLFE. We have not passed them.
Mr. JOHNSON. You have respectfully received and referred them, and made them a special order and refused to table them.
Mr. WOLFE, I stand by the resolutions and if that is treason, then I am a traitor.
Mr. HOWARD. Do you approve of the army, under any circumstances, telling the Legislature what they may or may not do?
Mr. JOHNSON. Under some circumstances, I do. If resolutions are introduced into the Legislature to take Indiana out of the Union, they have a right to express their opinion.
Mr. BR0WN. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman who has just taken his seat, during the course of his remarks, stated that he knew of gentlemen belonging to the Democratic party in the State of Indiana who had expressed themselves as desirous of taking, and willing to attempt to take the State of Indiana out of the Union. I ask him if he will repeat that statement?
Mr. Johnson declined to do so.
Mr. BROWN. I now ask him to name the persons to whom he has referred?
Mr. JOHNSON declined to answer.
Mr. BROWN I now, sir, charge him with having uttered that which is wholly false and without the foundation of truth, and I desire that my denunciation and denial of his statement shall go to the country with his remarks.
Mr. GRIFFITH argued against the resolution.
Mr. WOLFE followed in support of the resolution, lie Reminded to know if the Governor, and Republicans on this floor approved and would assist in carrying out the threat contained in the resolutions purporting to come from the soldiers.
Mr. GIVEN also supported the resolution in most eloquent terms. There was one peculiarity about the resolutions coming from the field. They were signed by the officers, and not by the rank and file. The private soldiers--the majority of them--were Democrats. When they came home, they would act with the Democratic party. When, in the history of the world, was it considered treasonable to propose peace? All nations since time began, involved in war, had sought peace. He to-day sought peace. These were his sentiments, and gentlemen might call it treason if they were a mind to. He denounced all such resolutions as those purporting to come from the 27th regiment and assuming to speaks the sentiments of the true soldier. He did not consider it treason to wish the war ended. He wished to have the war ended, and the sooner the better, for he believed and had believed from the first, with Douglas, that war is disunion.-- The rebellion could not be put down by arms. The rank and file of the army today sought peace.
Mr. K1LGORE Have you ever made speeches urging Indianians to volunteer?
Mr. GIVEN. I made one such speech at a special request, but I believed at that time, as now, that war is disunion. As to the threat of coercion, if we have a Cromwell at the door it is time for us to know it. Such were his sentiments, and men may call it treason if they wish.
page: 161[View Page 161]AFTERNOON SESSION.
On motion of Mr. NlBLACK, the resolution--Mr. Harney's--was postponed till Tuesday morning at 10 a. m.
WORK FOR COMMITTEES.
House bills 215 to 232 inclusive--introduced yesterday and the day before--were read the second time and appropriately referred; except 215, 221, and 227, which were laid on the table and ordered printed for the use of the House.
BILLS ON THE FIRST READING.
Senate bills 13, (see page 55;) 37, 58, 40, (p. 80;) 44. 45. (p. 83;) 51. 52, 57, 58. 59, (p. 92;) 62, 6G, (p. 98;) 69, (p. 100;) 73, (p. 101:) 74, (p. 105;) 82, (p. 113;) 85, (p. 114;) 87. 90, (p. 118;) 102, (p. 122;) and 112, (p. 146;) were read the first time and passed to the second reading.
WORK FOR COMMITTEES.
Senate bills 39, (p. 80;) and 76, (p. 105;) were read the second time and appropriately referred.
BILLS ON THE THIRD READING.
The bill [H. R. 30] excluding parties to suits from being witnesses was rejected; by yeas 22, nays 53.
Mr. Garvin's bill, [H. R. 147] to amend the practice act--it makes the law apply to contracts out of the State as well as in--was read the third time and finally passed; by yeas 72, nays 0.
