The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1870-12-22
Congressional.

In the Senate, on Thursday last, sever,
bills removing political disabilities were
passed.
A bill was introduced to sell certain
lands in South Carolina belonging tc
the Government.
Sohurz then delivered an address o.
unusual length, to which the Senate lis.
tened with marked attention, reviewing
the history OF the party division in Mis-,
souri,.
A bill appropriating 100000 for rev
enue cutters, passed the House.
A bill was introduced in the House di,
recting the Secretary Of the Trolusry to
refund al penalties and taxes illegally
assessed under direct tax law.
Amnesty bill resumed.
Farnsworth made q powerful speech
in favor of clean amnesty.
Lawrence opposed any amnesty, till
those excluded gave evidence Of repent
ance.
Wood said the bill was, in no sense,
an amnesty bill Its class Of exceptions
involved II zny w.. s-,a'ercd 10 disat 1i-
ties under the XYth amendment. In
stead Of an amnesty BILL it was q proper
ty grabbing bill, instead ofbeing ameas-
ure of grace, it was a bill to defeat JUS
tice--a bill to deny tho right of men to
recover property; it was measure the
effect OF which he would not say, but the
design of it was to do injustice to and
deprive litigants Of their property and
redress, and to grant boon and relief
to those who were least entitled to it,
Maynard argued against the principles
Of universal amnesty.
Sargent will vote for Farnsworth's sub
stitute, removing all disabilities for the
following reasons:
First, That the pledge of the Republ-
can party to remove all disabilities as
soon as the public safety would allow,
meant what it said, and that it is not
necessary, for the public safety, that
these disabilities should be continued.
Second, Because the political power of
ex-rebels is not diminished by their in
capacities to hold office, as every one of
them can vote at any election. Any
man elected by such men is as danger
GUS to good government, as he as fully
represents their principles and purposes
as either OF their qualified individuals
could
Third, Because their exclusion from
Office is a badge of distinction from
rebel stand point, is persecution, not
punishment, and will enhance their in
Auence for evil, if they SEQ fit to exercise
it.
Fourth, Because asa mere party meas
ure, it is not bad policy to add a few
thousand to the number of Democratic
ofice-seekers, while adding nothing to
the number of Democratic voters.
Fifth, Because the men under disabl-
tiles are not invariably, or even general
ly the worst OF the late rebels, and hence
rs q matter Of precaution or even Of ju,-
lice, THEN exclusion does not answer to
lyowed purposes,
sixth, because tie people of theNorth
ind South VII better appreciate the pur-
poses Of the Democratic party, if they
IRE allowed to bring forward as their ex-
pcncnts the leading rebels, as they natur-
ally viii.
Seventh, Because it is InrepUbiican TO
hold any class of people under political
disabilities,
Eighth, Because tho Republican par
y ID great, noble and liberal enough to
extend mercy to all classes Of cltizons,
md should add this crowning act to it's
great and successful war reconstruction
policy.
If the substitute fails, I will vote for
;he measure that makes the fewest cx-
,eptions and comes nearest to complete
he amnesty. The discussion was con-
5inued to great length.
Lawrence, Of Ohio, regretted, during
he debate, that hundred first class fu-
lerals had not followed the rebellion.