The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-08

children Of those who fought for their own liberties 1t is
very poor preext for honorable man to come ana e
the government y fought for his own and the
public liberty; he did not choose 10 be slave 10 foreign
despotsm but with manness, and honor, and patriot
ISM be fought during the war; now pay me ior TINS
be paid in hard dollars for the honor and the chi
airy and patriotism of my ancestor tell you, Mr. Pres
ident it is not good moneyit is bad moneyit dishon-
orable to the memories those who fought your battles TO
accept it.
Mr.. CoMEGYs. Mr. President, l do not rise for the
purpose of discussing the principles Of this bill for they
laid before the Senate the other day by the honora
BILE senator from South Carolina mr. EVANS but rise
merely 10 take notice of remark which has been made
by the senator from Georgia in regard TO Col Allen Nc
Lane presume he misunderstood the character OF the
paper which presented the Senate II understand
it, that paper is acopy OF report made by committee OF
the other house in which they say that Col Allen Mcane
stated by his petition that he had protested against the
Communication. The honorable senator from Georgia said
that he did not believe Col Allen McLanes statement
understood him to say that Now, sir, ! do not know
whether Col Allen MeLanes statement is true or false
but this do know that from the knowledge havefrom
the information have derived from my father and Others
the State of Delaware of the character of Allen McLane
and from the reputation his memory bears in that State
now feel warranted in saying before the Senate and the
country that where Allen McLane known land hewas
well known not only in Delaware but out because ne
gallant officer of the revolutionary army state
ment he made in reference to himself otherwise would
be entitled much credit any statement which could
be made on this floor by any gentleman who occupies
Mr.. ToOMBS. Waving the last remark of the SENATOR
there is question: unless he chooses to make one as to
the Veraclty OF Mr.. McLane THINK MS 10
is exceedingly gratuitous his part.
Mr.. COMEGYS. Probably misunderstood the senator
from Georgia.
| Mr. TOoMBS said that the reason did not believe
the statement was that he evidently mistaken in the
material fact which proven by the records of the
try The statement was that Colonel Lee had commuted
for him. said that was not true because he could not
| commute for him.
Mr. CoMEGYs. 1t may be true that Colonel Lee did
| not Iprobaby misunderstood the senator
| Mr. TOOMBS Therefore | said | did not believe the
The
city. know nothing at all about it. spoke from
knowledge of him bat took his account of the fact
which, put by the side of the public records shows it is
not true
Mr. COMEGYs. 1t may not be true that Col. Lee com
muted for him. but it is undoubtedly true think that
Col Allen Mcane thought he did it, did not wish to
do any injustice to the senator, make any imputaon
on him. merely wished to rescue the character OF COL
Allen McLane from what thought-though am very
glad to be informed to the contrarywas mputation
charge that he had stated what not true. under
stood that to be mputaon his veracy though the
explanation is entirely satisfactory and do not wish to
do any injustice to the senator from Georgia. or anybody
else
| Mr. Glass; Mr. President since the name of Mr. Nc
Lane has been brought up think it proper say that in
early life knew him and he was one Of the most gallant
and patriotic and efficient officers in the whole country
have from my own father, who served under him. that
courageous and active officer he saw, and
his reputation stood then among the highest of the officers
of the revolution He was remarkable for his activity,
and believe of the most honorable men we had at
| that time.
| Mr. PUGH / move to strike out the fourth and fifth
sections of the BILL which are:
SEC. A. And be further enacted, That the benefit of
ded and eighty shall extended widows and orphan
children of all officers who died in the service period
to the continental line or 70 volunteer corps call
ed into service under the authority Of State but
shall be made under this clause except the widows
and orphan children of such deceased officers.
nSEc g. And be further enacted, That surgeons mates
shall be entitled the benefit of the resolution of the
teenth January hundred and eghtyone and
receive the same pay hospital physicians and
Mr.. STUART Mr. President intend to vote against
the BILL must ask the attention of the Senate for few
minutes while state the which will induce to
give that vote. have given to this as much exam
nation my time would permit since 1t was introduced
into the Senate and confess to you that am not able to
port has been shown by the senator from Georgia. made
by the committee ITSELF states unqualedy that this is
Indebtedness and assigns that why the fund
is limited to certain heirs
Now the Threshold the question presents ITSELF under
what provision Of the constitution do you get the author
ity pass this b2 not indebtedness for which
the government of the United States is liable where is the
authority under the constitution of the United States
take the public money out Of the treasury and bestow it
what the committee says is gratuity2 confess that
entirely unable to find any such authority Do not let
be mistaken Mr.. President this proposition. read
! from portion OF the report: aGstE
"The provision is confined to the officer his widow and
neal relatives excluded Graft
tude for the services rendered by the officers of the revou
tonary impose the obligation to provide for their
that reward which due to their ancestors
but the obligation does not extend to coateras
| Placing the provisions of this bill, you will see, the
ground of gratitude. Let us go on;
elf these legal debts then they should be paid
the legal Representatives and would be pay debts
and dtrbutabe to the next Of kin but the legal obligation
discharged by the election to receive the Communication
The payments be made under the provisions of this bill
in the nature of gratuity, founded moral, rather
than legal obligation and the for allowing inter
| est does not apply"
ask again, under what clause of the constitution of the
United States does Congress find the power take money
Of the treasury to pay debt Of gratitude? and by
what authority is it limited it is in the BILL if it is
| legal obligation due for debt undscharged
As do not intend to detaiu the Senate to ampfy any
of my positions wish to proceed to consider for in
slant this alleged debt ogratitude The basis of the claim
s contract originally entered into by the government on
the side, and the officers the other. Who cons-
tued the government The people Does not this stand
precisely in moral point of view, as if six agreed to
the seventh certain of money provided he
formed certain service. He performs the service They
pay him in the agreed uponhat is by their note
drawing six per He takes the note into the market
and sells it at discount The day of payment arrives
and the six men pay the original amount together with the
interest, dollar for dollar. Now, should like to know
what gratitude the six owe TO the seventh; and
should like to know looking at IT In this point of view
the descendants of the soldiers of the revolution who pay
this money any debt Of gratitude to those who sold
their claims against them at discount Yes sir, your
ancestors and mine you and your children and my child
rem simply engaged in paying liability that we as
med to other ancestors other persons and other child
rem equally benefited by the act 1t to that there
species Of blindness when speak Of the gov
eminent of the United States if that indie
pendent legal tribunal constituted by law, and not the
people.
the affirmative. Has it been bonorably discharged The
answer s in the affirmative What is left2 deny Mr..
President-and call attention of senators TO the posi-