New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-03
DEBATES IN THE HOUSE.
THURSDAY, February "a, 1877

House met promptly at eleven o'clock.
Speaker Carr in the chair.
MIR. Mercy, of Ouachita, called up Senate
joint resolution granting $4,000 to the Ladies'
Monumental AssOcl alton OF fredericksburg,
Virginia, for the purpose Of collecting the
Confederate dead, and erecting suitable
monument.
Mr.. Devices: This proposes to keep up a
burying ground in Virginia, and move It's
indefinite postponement.
Mr.. Antoine: And l move to lay that mo-
ton on the table.
Carried.
MIR. Devices: / have on amendment to
offer, and that is, that $4,000 additional be
given to the National Cemetery at Gettys-
burg.
Mr.. Isabelle: The cemetery at Gettysburg
is supported Soy the national government,
and does not peed any assistance from the
Slate of Louisiana. AS believe this amend.
ment is only intended to kill the bill, hope
it will be voted down.
Mr.. Morey: Mr.. Speaker, l am heartily in
favor OF the immediate passage of This reso-
luton. The resolution proposes to assist
the Ladies Monumental Association OF
Fredericke burg, Vir GINA, in their belevo-
lent efforts to curry the dead who fell Oh the
battlefield OF Frederlcks ourg, many OF
whom were from Louisiana, and are num-
bered among that great army of the ''un.
known that W. find so largely represented
Oh every battlefield throughout the length
AID bre adth of that portion or this country
on which the battles of the late rebellion
wsre fought. In passing through many of
the largest cemeteries of our country, |
have read the names Of dead soldiers, with
the letters and numbers of their companies
ana regiments, and then passed to that por-
ton OF the grounds, by far the largest,
where you may read 'Uhknown Union Sol
dters' and unknown Rebel Suldiers;n there
they lie side by side, aud there they viii
lie till the trumpet of the Archangel shall
summon them 10 judgment. The National
Government has cared for them, all alike,
aud let US not forget that they are of our
own nationality, though we may think they
were errDg brothers. That these were
brave men, none knew better than those
who faced them on the battle field, and it
would be giving but little credit to that
army who won The victory, if it had been
otherwise. / cherish no animosity to-
ward the Confederate living and assuredy
l feel none toward the dead, and when 1
say this, believe speak the sentiments of
the Republican side of this Honse. MANY
have bled for those who are numbered in
the great army of the unknown" They
wiil>never return to cOmfor5 their loved
ones who are deried the mourDful priv
il"ge Of planting fowe on their graves,
The mourners, North and South, East and
West, belol G to one common humanity
Let each respect the grief of the oiher, and
let Us al JOIN in paying this tribute to the
dead. Let US pour oil on the Wounds, III d
bury the bitterness engendered by the
war. Let US stretcd out the olive branch.
and let The hatchet, that efforts have been
made 10 Dig up, be buried SO deep in the
graves of these dead soldiers that hereafter
the past will be to us thing to be remem-
bered without bitterness, and only as a
great lesson whereby We may profit. Surely
we should all, Northern and Southern, re-
that this cUuGtry is our co umon
heritage. and we, the representatives Of this
great state OF Louisiana, speaking for our
constituents. may tittingly join in contrib
uung our mite to this un>eifsh work. this
labor OF love on the part of those who have
undertaken IL. Let US be actuated in this
10y sentiments of u common humanity,
and Christianity, and leave to
history the vlndicalion or condemnation of
the cause i'll which these brave men fell.
MIR. Faulkner: We have no amnesty
against those who have gone to eternity
a. alnst those VINO met death in the shock
ard DIN VI bsttle-nO matter on what side
they carried arms. Let us show this by our
acts. LIT US show that we can forget. |
certainly hope no ms mber on this floor, or,
3. least, 10 Republican. will raise his 70 ce
IN oppos ion to this, which has una1i-
m0ussy passed the Senate. | hope the GEN
tleman from Blenviile will Withdraw his
amendment, and not compel us 10 vote it
down.
Mr.. Harper: do not, Mr.. Speaker, desire
to cherish animosity to those who are dead
and gone, nor Go wish to make dema-
gogue OF myself by nursing into life those
principles to which have maintained de-
cided and uncompromising opposition all
my life. l am willing to aid in gathering
the dead of both the Federal and c nfeder-
Ale armies, aud even of building tomb
stones, but l Am not ready to place the Con-
federate above the Federal. | be iieve this
i. intended to revive and keep up the
'lost cause" aid l an not in favor of it. l |
am willing TO aid these ladies In building
monument to COmmemOrat the dead of both
armies who fell at Fredericksburg, but I
;an not vote for one, only INTENDED to 90
lGnOr to those who fell under the CoHfeder-
lie hag. TX these ladies were actuated by
benevolent motives. their efforts would he
directed to the erection Of an orphan asylum
or Confederate orphans. For such mea
ure l would cheerfully vote and gladly su =
bort.
Mr.. Isabelle: Now, Mr.. Chairman, am in |
avor of this joint resolutions, which passed |
he Senate by such u vote as clearly indica-
ed that we have no hatred or prejudices /
gainst those who have passed away from
lime 10 eternity. These men died in a |
,ause they believed to be just, and whether |
hey were right or wrong, / am willing to |
Jury In their graves all bitter recOAectiOns |
f the past.
The late war believe was the work of God. |
te brought it about that freedom should be ;