Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-03-22
Debate in the House of Representatives.


In the House Of Representatives, yesterday,
when the resolution tor affording relief to the
Destitute in the South, was under discussion,
the debate went on for 4 considerable time, and
with some cons iderable asperlty OF feeling. MIR.
Butler spoke of Mr.. Bingham as having gone
over to the other side Of the House, not only
in body, but i'll spirit, and reminded him OF
what that great and good ma" --President
Johnson-had done, while provisional governor
of Tennessee, in taxing wealthy ''rebela' to
support poor families.
Mr. Bingham, in noticing this ailu5lon, said
It does not become gentleman who recorded
his vote fifty times Mr.. EldrldGe suggested
ftty-se7en times for the arch.tratlor OF the
rebellion for the Presidency OF the United
States to undertake to cast an imputatlon either
on nv integrity OF on my honor. repel with
scorn and contempt any utterance OF that k!nd
by any man, whether he be the hero Of Fort
Fisher taken, Of the hero of Fort Fisher not
taken IRoars Of laughter on both sides OF
the House, the Democratic side cncourag-
ing Mr. Bing cham. | also stand here, SIR 10
| the na1se Of the American people, 10 repel
with scorn the attempt 10 levy charities by con
| Gscation, 10 violation OF the Constitution OF
nv country. That, sir, il the proposition
which the gentleman Mr.. Butlerl dares 10
utter in an American Congress In The sacred
name of charity Applause and laughter.
Mr. Butler said: have never concealed the
fact, Which is now SO offenslvel y put forward,
that | voted for Jefferson Davis in the c0nyen
| ton of my party ftty-seven times. thought
I him the representative man Of the South aud
hoped thereby to save the threatened diSnnlon
which appeared in the distance. was tOilcd,
and disunion came The difference between me
and the honorable gentleman from Ohio is
this; that while Jefferson D"Vis was l Senator
of the United States and was claiming to be a
friend OF the Union, | supported hlnl, while
the gentleman Mr.. Bingham supports him
while he is traitor. have changed my sup
ways and rcpnntcd. Bat ! did no expect 4
blow to be sirl,:,} at me in that direction from
the side Of the House which supported him
then, has Supported him ever since, and iSsiil
supporting him and his friends Laughter
and applause Mr. Bingham : seat is on the
Democratic side of the House. Rep. | did
not mcan to impugn the honor or Integrity Of
the gentleman from Ohio | only SAID that
Thought lie was leading he other side 81 the
Hon>t
MIR. Bingham If the gentleman had quail
ed his words by saying he honght so, would
not have said one word.
Mr.. Butler. [ never speak anything | do
not think Laughter and applause. | will
try to repeat the words used. | said the
gentleman had gone in spirit, as be had gone
in body. over to the other side of the House.
[ thought 50 then; think so now. said SO
then say 50 now laughter. And can
not take it back, sir. Manifestations OF en-
enlargement. The gentleman has had the
good taste to attack me for the reason that
could not do any more injury to the enemies OF
NY country. | did the best | could. Other
men Of more ability could DO more; and no
man-.s reader to give them higher plaudlt for
their valor, their discretion, and their conduct
than myself Because | could not do more
feel exceedingly chagrincd. If, during the
war, the gentleman from Ohio Mr. Bing ham,
did as much as | did in that direction should
be Glad to recognize that much done But
the only victim Of the gentlcmans prowess
that / know OF, was an innocent woman hanged
upon the scaffold His only victim in the Wal
was one Mrs. Surratt | can sustain the
memory Of Fort Fisher, if lie and his associates
can sustain him in the blood OF woman tried
by military commissions and condemned
| without sufficient evidence, III my Judgment.
| Mr.. Bingham asked and obtained five min
utes to reply. Eie said After ten years OF
service in this House, gentlemen will look in
vain i0r ary remark OF mine personal 10 mortal
man on this floor, save when SAX glatui;ously
aasaed By others. | have observed the
amenities Of debate ard the amenities OF per-
sonal conduct ont Of the House in such form,
| | trust, as entities me 10 The respect and con
| aidcralOn Of those who know me best. But
the gentleman. Mr.. Butler, while lie talks OF
matters Of taste, chooses to constitute himself
my Judge touching the integrity Of my conduct
a. Il sworn representative Of the people, and
when he come: 60 make hi: rcpiY to me, feel
ing that he had done i dishonor 70 himself and
an Injustice to me, undertakes to qualify his
rash judgment By saying that he only said he
thought 20. Sir, if he had said at first that
he thought so, it never would have disturbed
my equaninity, for | would have concerned
myself Just az much about what he though as
| L would about who killed Cock Robin. -
| Laughter
The gentleman has shown the same want OF
consideration for the rights Of others in the re-
marks which he has just made By favor Of the
House. b. what right does he constitute him
self Judge to say Of ne, and to say Of men
who were bis pqera in the field ofconhict, when
the earth quaked. that the blood at innocence
is on my hands? Docs the gentcman mean
to say, By his sweeping judgment. that it is
also on the hands Of those brave men who
were constituted, BIZ the warrant Of your Presi
dent, court to pronounce that final judgment,
without which nobody could have teen czecut-
ed? Sir, ] repel it, in the language Of man
''the latohct of whose shoes the gentleman
Was not worthy to unloose, who said that we
should patiently hear first, and consider and
pronounce judgment afterwards. In the Ian
puage Of the great Lord High Chancellor Of
England withatsnding the utteraIce Of q
cynical poet hat he was
The greatest wisest, meanest Of mankind" -
l will say that, whether the blood OF limo
cencc is en- my hands or not, [ leave to the
charitable speeches Of men and to iuture
agcs Ga the great question connected with
the assassination Of the chosen of the people,
| BIZ which be WAS cut down In liz. nrnsnncn al