Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-03-28
A STIRRING DEBATE.

In the discussion, on Thursday last, IN the
House, on the Senate Joint resolution appropria-
ting one million of dollars for the relief of des
titute people in the South, Mr.. Bingham Rad
icaD finding that malgnants like Butler, Co
yode aud Logan would probably defeat the
measure offered an amendment to take the a.
mount from the appropriation for the Freed
mems Bureau
Butler poured out one of his characteristic
TRADES against the people of the South.
In the course of the debate, Mr.. BUTLER
spoke of Mr.. BINGHAM as having gone over to
the other side Of the House. not only in body
| but in spirit, and reminded him of what that
'great and good man"-President Johnson
had done while provisional governor of Ten
nessee, in taxing wealthy rebels TO support
poor families.
Mr. BINGHAM in noticing this alusion, said
| 1t does not become gentleman who recorded
his vote fifty times Mr. ELDRIDGE suggested
ffty-seven times for the arch-traitor Of the re-
bclon for the Presidency of the United States
/ TO undertake to cast an imputatiOn either on
my integrity or on my honor. repel with
i
| by any man, whether he be the hero of Fort
Fisher taken, or the hero Of Fort Fisher not
taken. [Roars Of laughter on both sides Of the
| House, the Democratic side Of the House mani
testing peculiar enjoyment Of the scene, and
encouraging Mr.. BISGHAM.] Ialso stand here,
sir, in the name of the American people, to re-
pei with scorn the attempt to levy charities by
coutiscation, in violation of the Constitution of
my country. That, sir, is the proposition which
the gentleman Mr.. BUTLER dares to utter in
an American Congress in the sacred name of
charity. Applause and laughter.
Mr. BUTLER rose to reply, but
| The CHAIRMAN announced that the time TO
which the House had limited debate had ex-
PRED.
Mr. BuTLER asked the privilege of the House
to reply To the gentleman from Ohio
The CHAIRMAN said the gentleman could not
ask that privilegcof the House when the House
was in C, mmittee Of the Whole.
Mr. ELDRIDGE expressed the hope that the
| gentleman from Massachusetts, would get the
| opportunity he asked. 1t was subject which
| his Mr. ELpEIDGE'sl side of the House would
| like to hear ventilated.
The CHAIRMAN said that the committee
would have to rise for that purpose, as the com
mittee was acting under direct order Of the
House, closing debate
The committee rose, having first agreed to
Mr. BINGHAM's amendment offered when the
House went first into committee to-day
Mr.. BUTLER then asked unanimous consent
to speak for ten minutes.
Mr.. ELDRIDeE expressed the hope that the
House would not "bottle up" the gentleman
| c.,p, Maccachncnifc apfrbtar I
Unanimous consent having been given,
Mr. BUTLER expressed hiSinfnite obligations
to the House for its kindness, and said | have
never concealed the fact which is now so often
sively put forward, that | voted for Jefferson
Davis in the convention of my party fiity-seven
times. | thought him the representative man
of the South, and hoped thereby to save the
threatened disunion which appeared in the dis
lance. was foiled, and dsunion came The
difference between me and the honorable gentle
man from Ohioin III s, that while Jefferson Davis
was a Senator of the United States and was
claiming to be friend of the Union | support
ed him, while the gentleman Mr. BINGHAMl
supports him while he is a traitor ] have
changed my support. Laughter. / saw the
error of my ways and repented But did not
expect blow to be aimed at me in that drec-
ton from the side Of the House which support
ed him then, has supported him ever since, and
is still supporting him and his friends Laugh
ter and applause. Mr.. BINGHAM's seat is on
the Democratic side of the House-REP
did not mean TO impngn the honor or integrity
of the gentleman from Ohio; only said that
| thought he was leading the other side of the
House.
Mr.. BINGHAM. If the gentleman had quail
fed his words by saying he thought SO, | would
not have said one word.
Mr.. BUTLER. never speak anything do
not think. Laughter and applause.l will
try to repeat the words | used said the gen
tleman had gone in spirit, as he had gone in
body, over TO the other side Of the House
thought so then; think so now. | said so
then; say so now. Laughter. And can
not take it back, sir. Manifestations of en-
couragement.] The gentleman has had the
good taste to attack me for the reason that |
could not do any more injury to the enemies of
my country. / did the best | could Other
men of more ability could do more; and no
man is ready to give them higher plaudit for
their valor, their discretion, and their conduct
than myself Because | could not DO more
feel exceedingly chagrined IT. during the war,
the gentleman from Ohio Mr.. BINGHAM did
as much as | did in that direction should
be glad TO recognize that much done But
the only victim Of the gentleman's proves
that know of was an innocent woman hanged
upon the scafold His only victim in the war
was one Mrs. Surratt. ! can sustain the mem
CRY of Fort Fisher, if lie and his associates can
sustain him in the blood Of woman tried by
a military commission and condemned without
sufficient evidence, in my Judgment
Mr.. BINGHAM asked and obtained five min
uteS to reply. esaid Aiter ten years Of ser
vice in this House, gentlemen will look in vain
for any remark Of mine personal TO mortal man
on this floor, save when | was gratuitously as
sailed by others. | have observed the ameni-
ties Of debate and the amenities of personal
conduct out of the House in such form. trust.
as entities me TO the respect and consideration
of those who know me best. But the gentle
man, Mr.. Butler, while he talks Of matters
Of taste, chooses to constitute himSelfmy Judge
touching the integrity of my conduct as a sworn
representative Of the people, and when he comes
to make his reply to me, feeling that he had
done dishonor to himself and an injustice to
me, undertakes to qualify his rash Judgment by
saying that he only said he thought so. Sir,
if be had said at first that he thought so. it
never would have disturbed my equanimity,
for would have concerned myself Just as much
about what he thought IS would about "Who
killed Cock Robin, daughter
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
| H. H.. u.lo. =; Ia H. ! --,..4:.,,. L.: