The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1867-03-28
Another Radical Fight i'm the
HOusc--EuilcT VS.. RiEgfiall
-''S1ur GRAPES:

-'SOur Grapes:
Last Wednesday, while the House OF
Representatives had under consideration
the 81 100000 bill for the relief of the
destitute people of the south, a debate
sprang up, which vas followed by scene
remarkable for its personalities. Se7eraI
radicals participated in the debate, but the
principal spirits were the 'Bottlcd Beast
and NJ. Bingham, i'Gdi,al from Ohio
We give the debate below
The House went into tic committee Of tbe
whole Mr. Blaine in the chair, and resumed
the consideration Ofthe Senate iCut rcsoIU-
ton appropriating cl, ,G00,GC0 for the relief OF
the destitute people OF the south. y rcreral
debate being Ordered closed, in fewmOmCnt
MeSsrs Banks and Bingham Withdrew their
pending amendments.
Mr. Bingham offered IN amendment to
strike out of the joint resolution tie words
"apprOpriating &1,00c,39}," ard inserting
these words: and to that end the Secretary
of war is hereby authorized and directed.
through the commissioner ofthe freedmen :
bureau, to apply so much as he may deem
necessary for the purposes aforesaid Of the
meXpended monies heretofore provided to
supply freedmen and refugees with provisions
or rations"
NJ. Butler made a speech against the
amendment and Joint resolution, declaring
that it was intended to aid in tEiq way the
ablc-bodied white rebels, who We're l0afinr
around corner grocery stores, refusing 10
work, while the mudsills Of the north were
forced 10 work
Mr. Spaulding supported the joint resolu-
ton.
Mr.. Woodbridge, for the purpose of show
ing that the Union soldiers who suffered in
rebel prisons were themselves in favor Of this
bill, read letter from colder liYin@ in Rut-
land, VT.
Mr.. Logan, while considering it as an al
gumcnt, quoted against 1t the resolutions
adopted in meeting of the associations Of
the Grand Army the Republic in Washing
ton, New York and elsewhere
Mr.. Woodbridge declared that if such as
socialions consisted OF soldiers. they were
wanting in the first element that distinguish
ed brave man from a coward. Applause.
Mr.. BroOman supported the amendment
and trusted it would be adopted, and the joint
resolution, as amended, would he passed.
Mr.. Logan could MOI see what the question
of bravery and soldierly conduct had to do
with the passage or defeat of the resolution.
lie disiked to hear these remarks ofthe gen
tleman from Vermont. He did not think
they came in good grace from man who had
never had an opportunity of testing that
courage so as 10 know whether he was a
brave man or not. II the resolution passed
he should propose that like aid be granted TO
those who are suffering from the inundation
OF the Ohio and Mississippi valleys.
Mr.. Butler, referring % the intimGtiOn
made by Mr.. Woodbridge, tAe othcrday that
he, Butler, was moi q statesman, said he creed
to that and had iast escaped being states
man by falling to ne elected to the Goth Con
gress Laughter.
Mr. Woodbridge denied that lie had said
any such thing.
Mr. Butler-Then the gentleman from Yer
mont means 20 say that L am statcsnlan. ]
am very much obliged 10 him AS TO the &C.
ton OF the soldiers Of the Grand Amy of the
Republic l received from them, unsolicited,
a resolution Supporting NJ course, and SO
long as | have the approval ofthe soldiers of
the army, / can very well 10 vithCH. that of
those who were not 0Ut Of thiS house during
the entire war. Laughter from the demo-
cratic side.
The debate went on q considerable time,
with some aspcrity of feeling, participated in
by Schenck, Lawrence ofOhio, Pile, Miller,
Farnsworth, Broonall, Shelabarger, Butler
and Bingham. In the course Of tne debate,
Butler spoke OF Bingham as having gone
over to the other side OF the house, not only in
body but in spirit, and demanded of him
what that great and good man President ohm
son. had done while provisioninal Governor
ofTennessee, in taxing wealthy rebels to sup
port poor families.
Bingham said: at did not become gen
tleman who recorded MS vote 90 times Ed
ridge suggested 81 times for the arch traitor
OF the rebellion for President of the United
States to undertake to cast an imputation on
my integrity or my honor Irepel with scorn
and contempt any utteTance of that kind by
any man, whether he lie the hero of Fort
Fisher taken, or the hero OF Fort Fisher not
taken" Roars of laughter from both sides
ofthe house
Mr. BiEgham-I also stand here, sir, in the
name of the American people, to repel with
scorn any attempt to levy charities ny conlis-
cation, in violation Of the Constitution Of my
That, sir, is The proposition which
the gentleman (Butler) dares TO utter in the
American Congress in the sacred name Of
charity. Applause and laughter.i
Butler rose to reply, but the chairman an
nounced THAI tie tine to which the house had
limited debate had expired.
Butler asked the privilege of the house to
reply.
not ask that privilege when the house was in
of the whole.
Butler then asked unanimous consent to
speak ten minutes.
Eldridge expressed the hope dat the house
would not "bottle up the gentleman. I.aug-
teri
Unanimous consent having been given, |
Butler expressed his infinite obligations to |
he house for its kindness, and said: Il have |
never concealed the fact which is now so of |
ensivcly put forward, that L voted for jeff |
-
thought him the best statesman of the south, |
md hoped thereby TO stay the threatened
lisunion, which, as feared. was IN the dis
ance / failed, and disunion came. The |
difference between me and the honorable gen
leman from OHIO is this that while jeff. Da-
Wis was Senator of the United States, and |
was claiming to be the friend Of tide Union, |
him, while the gentleman Bing
lam) supports him while he is traitor.
nave changed my support
81 saw the error of my way, and repented
)ut did not expect blow to be aimed at me
n that drecton--from that side of the house
which supported him then. has supported him
,ver since and is still supporting him and his
riends. IBinghams seat is on the democrat
C side Of the house.
II did not mean TO impugn The honor or in
egrity of the gentleman from Ohio. | only
aid thought he was leading the other side
II the house"
Bingham-If the gentleman had qualified
lis words by saying he thought so, would
lot have said one word.
Mr.. Butler-1 never speak of anything
Without thinking. / will try to repeat the :
words used. l said the gentleman had gone
II spirit, as he had gone in body, over to the
thcr side of the house 1 thought so them
think so now. | said so then !; | say so now.
Laughter | cannot take it back, ST r. S
of encouragement. The |
Gentleman has had the good taste to attack me ,
or the reason that | could not do any more ,
,;r,,r 20 tho ennnifs of my country i did