Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-12-01

JOlnt Ntlttt NNihH'N''Ni III" !,
TO draft q memorial to his ENCollan.
cy, the President Of the United
States, praying for the relief OF Mr.
Davis, there being one vote in the
negative
Mr.. BONNER said
l had not intended, Mr., Speaker,
to say one word in reference to the
adoption of this report, nor do l
now deem it necessary to raise my
voice in behalf of the distinguished
subject of this memorial; but l
arise, sir, to express my extreme
regret that one voice in this House
should be heard in opposition to his
release. | feel chagrincd to learn
that there is one Representative up
on this floor who was so great q
stranger to the wishes and symapa'
thies of the people Of the whole
State, that he cast his vote against
q simple measure of relief for him,
who, but few months ago, was the
chosen leader of our brave and Chi
volrous people. There is nothing
in this memorial .or the release Of
Mr.. Davis, which can possibly wound
the finest sensibilties of the most
violent of his enemies. No politi-
cal principle is involved in it. 1t
contains merely prayer for the re-
lease, and testimonial of kind re-
mcmbrancc of him, whom we once
delighted to honor, and whose per
son we still love to vencrate. We
followed him in the days of his tri-
umph; shall it be said that we re-
fuse him the consolation ofour sym
pathy in the hour of his captivity?
He is now a prisoner. The war
which eventuatcd in our defeat and
his captivity has passed away. We
arc free, while he is still pent up in
prison walls. Our people, through
their chosen representatives, desire
to petition for release. The memo
rial is but expressive of the earnest
wishes of the great masses Of the
people of Texas and the South. I'M
aginc the emotions which will thrill
the heart Of the illustrious captive,
when this outspokcn voice OF sym
pathy and affection shallpenetrate
the walls of his dark prison cell.
announcing to him that the people
of the "Lone Star State" though
thousands of miles away from the
scenes of his misfortuncs, still cher
ish the liveliest interest in his fate.
His enorvated form, bent beneath
the weight of accumulating years
and misfortunes, will receive from
it new vigor to undergo tho priva-
tions which may yet be in store for
him. But, bark what harsh sound
is that which falls upon the ear?-
What discordant note is that which
mars the soothing words of sympa-
ty? 1t is the unnatural negative
response Of Texas Representative.
| envy not the feelings of that man.
l feel, sir, that if l were to cast
my vote against this dictate of mer-
cy, that | would be unworthy to
represent the enlightened citizens of
my State, God forbid that L should
ever so far forget the promptings of
humanity, as to deny this behest of
manly sympathy; Heaven forbid
that l should ever by word or deed,
cast reproach or odium upon the
proud name of JEFFERSON DAVIS
JEFFERSON DAVIS What glorious
memories cluster around his name !!
What bright "reminiscences are call
cd to mind at the bare mention of
the history of his eventful career!
Though encased in prison, he will
yet live. When the troubled waves
of passion have fully subsidized, and
treason shall again resume her
sway" when the future historian
shall dispassionately record the g.
vents of these perilous times, and
succeeding generations shall look
with unbiased vision into the scenes
of the last few years, Jefferson Da-
Wis will be pronounced one of those
great men whom the world produces
but once in century.
He is fallen, but not dishonored! !
His name is engraven upon the pages
Of Immortality
zone Of the few, the immortal names
That were not born to die" .s
A mighty cliff-the work of ma
ture's God-standing upon the verge
of the ocean, lifts its towering head
toward the Heavens and bid def
ance to the broad expanse of wa
ters which surround it; "tempest
may thunder at its brow; oceans
may hurl their surging pillows at
its base, yet it stands unmoved and
glorious in its height" Such is JEFF
ferson Davis Pent up in the rock
ribbed walls of Fortress Monroe, he
is still monument of nobleness and
chivalry. Thadeus Stevens may
thunder anathemas upon his dcvot-
ed head; Charles Sumner may hurl
pillows of SANDER against his char
acter, but, long, long centuries after
the names of such men as Stevens
and Sumner shall be consigned TO
the dark depths of ftrgetfulness and
oblivion, the name and fame of JEFF
ferson Davis will still live, in letters
of imperishable beauty, as brightas
the ncon-day sun.
Whist will be Done?