The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-17

land was spread over with the charities Of the
United States 70 those people, who had become
have the aDplest precedent for charity Of this
kiud. Io this case the orphans were turned
ou1 OF house and home upon the world, and
their guardians deprived Of thu power OF pro-
tecting them by the accidents Of war, while
those guardians ut that very time were minis
tering to our wounded and g ok. When the
honorable senator from Missouri denies that
they were tho means OF saving tho lives OF our
own soldiers, point him. to the testimonials
OF General Scott, General Sickles, General
sherman and other distinguished officers of
pcntcd, not to this claim, for these ladies
make no claim not to any petition TO Com
gress that they may be reimbursed for the loss
OF their property; but those officers do petition
Congress that the services OF these ladies may
be recognized, and that they may be put in o
position again 10 do that charitable work which
the accidents of war have taken from them the
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont. I think plain
statement Of this case will show very clearly
that 1t ought not to be considered by tho Senate Q
OF the lifted States. The papers came here
more than u year ago. The SISTERS OF Mercy
started upon o mission to procure aid from the
North, and obtained letters fiom various indi-
yiduals with that view. They started out for
Washington some kind friend, rather than put
his hand in his own pocket and contribute,
ADVISED them to como to Congress for relief.
That was the character Of the papers which
were. referred to the Committee on Claim;
and being considered by the Committee on
Claims, the case was unanimously reported
against. It seems that these S,st RS OF Mercy
had building in Charleston for the lnstruc-
selves, both Of which we're more or less
damaged during the bombardment Of thai
city. The government, through Its officers
then stationed there, repair I'd their dwelhng-
house and made it complete again. such was
the evidence that was before the Committee on
Claims.
Now, Mr.. President, if this claim is to be al
lowed as gratuity. or 10 any Other form, why
cannot the owners Of any school house or Of
anv church in the City Of Charleston. or in any
other spot that has been destr yed by the
equal grace for gra+uity on the part Of
Congressp I do not understand that we are
a1moners-the dispensers OF the charity of the
United States. II there is nuy charity to be
bestowed, let US put our hands IN our own
pockets.
MIR. Robertson. wish to add q few words in
snpp ,rt Of the amendment reported Gy the
Committee on Appropria ions. 1t seems TO me
SO obviously just AMI proper that must ex. e,.
press my surprise at the opposition that has
been made to it in the Senate. II re is an insti-
tuition devoted to the caro- ind maintenance of
orphans IN the City OF charleston, under the
charge Of the Sisters of Mercy who. according
to the evidence presented, performed many acts
OF kindness to tho Union prisoners lu that CITY,
,pnrIll,ng ,giIl,g the bomnatdment OF the city the
Slckles when ho was. in command st Charles
ton, would have had the building repair cd, but
upon an examination it. was ascertained that
it could not be repaired. 1T having been 40
much injured BY the shells of our forces Tue
Sisters OF Mercy now ask to have their building
restored in order that they may be enabled to
take care OF the orphans in their charge. This
is surely ono OF the greatest charities in the
world. These orphans need the protecting
arm Of the government. Their former instr
tutlon being untenantable from the destruc-
tion caused by our sii Ills, they are n ow confined
in small, narrow building in an unht althy
part OF the c!y, where q great mlny OF them
tracted in thit unhealtny LOCALITY. These
Sisters simply ask enough aid. enough charity
from this goveraaient 70 enable them TO restore
their bulldogs. and sincerely hope that the
Senate willgrant their request.
After some further discussion the amend
ment was rejected; yeas twenty. nays twenty
two. Absent or not voting twenty-four. M