Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-12-16
HOUSE.
The Amnesty Debate.


WASHINGTON, Dec. l5.-Several bills
were introduced and appropriately re-
ferred, after which the House resumed
the consideration of the amnesty bill.
Barry argued against the exceptions
contained in the bill and in favor of gen
eral and unconditional amnesty.
Morgan argued on the same side.
Mckenzie argued tina: Congress onght
to pass general amnesty bill without
exceptions and Let the country have
peace.
Farnsworth stated to the House that
the bill reported was not unanimous re-
port of the Committee on Reconstruction,
nor did it have the approval of even a
majority of the committee. 1t was only
permitted to be reported to the House.
He from the want of connection we
cannot tell whether FarnswoIth OF some
one else said what follows
He proceeded TO declare that the
provision of the fourteenth amendment
to the Constitution which imposed politi-
cal disabilities was only intended to re-
main so long as the reconstruction was
incomplete and the right Of all persons
were secured. The colOred people South
asked for it, having obtained their own
rights. They, more liberal and more just
than some members of Congress, were
asking Congress to relieve their
white brethren from the disabilities
imposed on them. The Republican party
outside of Congress is in favor of uni
versal amnesty. He didn't see any prac-
ticable or just way of making exceptions
by classes. Gen. LOngstreet, who held a
high position by the appointment of the
President, would come under the cxcep-
tons of this bill The parties to be ex-
| copied should be mentioned by name,
not grouped in classes. The bill was a
very singular mistake. 1t COutasned some
matters which might become law if
adopted by a majority vote, aud con-
| tanned other matters which could not be-
come law unless adopted by q
two thirds vote; which, are things
that should not be grouped together
in the same bill II was q cheat and
swindie So unless the bill was passed
by a two-thirds vote it would be in nc
! sense a political bill and would have moth.
ing to do with political disabilities. Il
would then be merely a bill settling {
legal question only, and should have CONT
from the Judiciary Committee. He de
clared himself very positive that there
was something behind the bill, something
covered up in a meat tub, wEil'
the people all over the country
were looking for an act q
amnesty. They were looking for bread
and Congress offered them a stone in
stead of bread. Who, he asked, wa
afraid tina. jeff. Davis would come t
Congress? The exclusion of men b,
Congress would exclude the best brain
and best hearts in the South. A littl
generosity exercised in the proper tint
made friends and not enemies.
Blood and Thunder Loyalty.
Mr.. Lawrence opposed the bill becsus
it extended pardon and amnesty to mur
dcreIs, robbers, ravishers and iucendi
aries. One great error which the Gov
eminent had made was the failure at th
close of the rebellion, to punish traitor
for treason. A hundred first class fune
rails at that time would have been worth
hundred amnesty bills. He believed
still necessary that the State Legislature
should be in the hands of loyal men, VIII
would legislste TO pay the national deb
Protect the intereets of the Union so