Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-03-02

construction Are they TO ueclde that 4uV'
ton for the Senate OF the United States They
saw they are convinced "that they are not ut
subjects for such clemency. > The Senate. OF
the United States has not anything to 90 with
1t, suppose, as the Grant and Co!tax a'Socia
ton at Richmond is convinced that they are
not proper subjects Tor clenencY. Does !haI
satisfy my friend from Michiga Is my friend
from Michigan, in all seriousness, satisfied
with that because they say they are not 5a us
fed Is that any reason why the political dis
abilities should not be removed? If this Grant
and Colfax association had stated some facts,
something that these parties had d0nc--
Mr.. Chandler. They are rebels; that Is all.
MIR. Trumbull. OF course they were rebels.
NV friend from Michigan understands that. =
We do not remove disabilities from anybody
else. OF course the Senator understands per
fectly we'll that nobody is to have his disabili-
ties removed unless he has been q rebel.
Mr., Chandler They are unrepentant rebels.
Mr.. Trumbul They do not say that 1t
is not stated that Mr.. Rogers Is 4 rebel yet -
They say that he is an unfit person IN their
opinion. If we are to take the opinion o. that
association as to who Is tit that Is the end OF
the case. Undoubtedly these parties were reb-
els and the constitutional amendment Is IN
tended to apply TO that class OF persons aud
TO authorize the removal OF disabilities from
that class OF persons
The reason that hive said what | have Is,
that was called upon personally by some gen
tiemcn in whom | have the utmost confidence,
who represented to me that this was proper
person whose disabilities should be removed. go
The fact that he holds an Office may he Il rea
son in the opinion OF the Grant and Coliax
association why his disabilities should not be
fNr cuh N !
ISOLATION persons who would like to take his
office.
Mr.. Williams What Office is that?
Mr.. Trumbull | was stated that he was
the second auditor Of the State OF Virginia.
MIR. Ferry Ila was elected before The po
liticaI disabilities supervened by vIrl- Of 'hr
act, and has Just continued aong
MIR. Trumbu'l. He Was elected by the reg
istered voters, | suppose, in Virginia.
Mr.. C0nnnes'. By Andrew johnson W
tcrs.
Mr., TrumbuI They were registered under
our laws, take it.
Mr.. CONFESS Not at all.
Mr. TrumbulI Was he MT elected under
the Pierpoint constitution
Mr. Howard Under the constitution OF Nay
80, 1868.
Mr.. CONFESS. Under the johnson pro
gramme.
Mr.. TrumGu Id rnt know h,w he va,
elected but the constitutional government
which has prevailed IN Virginia Is the one
first adopted III West Virginia.
Mr.. Ferry When hc was eIecte and as
sumed office he was under no disability what
ever He merely held rpht along since TINS
disability superVGned, aud 1t Il desirable for
the Interests Of the community and the State
that this disability should be removed from a
gentleman whom the Senator from west (lr-
GINA declares to be Il gentleman ol high stand
ing and character, and WHO has presented an
application mere announcing his Willingness to
acquiesca in and support the existing orItr OF
things.
MIR. Trumbull VIII not takeup time about
it: but | think The Senate should have some
thing more than statement sucl as tins to
induca them 10 strike a name out Of the bill.
Mr. Upton. desire to say in regard TO
this question lhat |, too, have been appIoach-
ed by gentlemen IN whose honor and integrity
| contde and they have brought me to the
conclusion that this party is not entitled TO this
gratuity at the hands OF the Congress or the
Government ui The United States. The hon
orable Senator from Illinois seems 10 predicate
much OF his argument Oh the fact that written
applications come here from all parties them.
selves. Now, Mr. President, il parties should
come here without written applications OF
their own, but indorsei and presented because
in their profession they have shown a reopen
tant spirit, | would in that case, perhaps, vote
for the removal OF their disabilities. But Tor
man VINO raised his hand AGAINST the Gov
ernment of the United States 70 present an
application 10 hiS own writing at this early
day for the rcm0V Il OF bis disabilities, 1t is 1.
crime in HIM uqtil bis probation has satisfied
his loyal neighbofs to ask any such privle &c
at the hands OF the Government OF the United
States. His loyal neighbors may sheer at him
but his loyal ncighbors shall not be sneercd at
with impunity in tho Senate OF the United
States.
To whom shall go but to the Grant and
Cofax clubs OF Virginia aGG OF the whole
country for Information in regard TO the re
M oval Of the disabilities OF men who have been
in the rebellion? We went to the Grant and
Colfax mem mean the loyal men OF those
States for aid and comfort during the rebel
lion and it is natural that we should go to them
now | do go to the Grant and COlfaX men,
not because that Is the name OF their Orgarl-
cation, but becinsc they represent the loyal
element OF the country from which they write.
| say again that where "a nan Is fepentaGt
rebel lac will not ask SO early any participation
in tic active Iabor5 OF supporting Government
in til United States Find ne rebel who
ha ra3ented aud he says himself, My crimes
have cen of such magnitude that 1t IS not
right and proper that should force myself
upon the men who have had 10 spend their
money and their blood to subiugale ne, and
therefore will as an honest man show By my
works and by submission to the Constitution
and by submission to the law that have re-
pentad | say when man writes MS own
petition aud presents it here with me it is
prma tacie evidence that he is Yet rebel and
scoundrel, and has no claim to the cemency
of my Government, that Government that
poured out the blood of its loyal people to sus
tain our institutions There may be possibly
one honest man out OF hundred among them.
Let him bide his time. let nim wait, as his
fathers waited aud showed their patriotism.
Let him wait rs his neighbor5 have waited aud
shown their devotion to the country before he
comes here and himself comes TO the conclusion
that he par excellence is worthy to receive the
o1or,orny IF the mon WIN paVa their bvnt hers