Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-12-17

although in the rapid progress OF events 1t was
pcrbaps not to be wondered at, This unseem-
iv haste to restore traitors to favor can result
in nothing else. TIE verdict of to-day and Of
posterity is aud win be that General Lee was
traitor. The Senator Mr. McCreeryl says
General Lee was hero; so was Benedict
Arnold. What would have been thought of
the man who proposed TO restore to Benedict
Arnold his property in Connecticut? The
Senator says General Lee was Christian
He Mr.. NJ did not know as well as he ought
what ChristiaL was, but il General Lee was
a Christian, he did not want to be one. de
did not think that the aroma arising from those
patriot graves would be pleasant to the nos
trils of Mrs Lee and her family. He Mr. NJ
felt nsuted in his own person that such
resolution as this had been introduced. 10 on
with the policy that is now being pursued,
and it will be but premium for treason. No,
let General Lee sleep, and let him be judged
in the day Of judgement. His rebellion was
failure but that was not his fault.
Mr. Flanagan characterized Lee as the great
traitor of the age, whose abilities and influ-
ence had carried away the flower ofthe South
ern youth into the rebellion. Davis, the other
great traitor, was yet alive, and we may next
look for move to make him President.
Mr.. Sumner wished on this occasion to APP
ply parliamentary law in its strongest FORM
He was for treating this resolution in the most
summary manner General Lee stands high
on the catalogue Of those who have imbrued
their hands in Their country's blood, and he
banded him over e the avenging pen Of history.
But there is Que practical thought occurring to
him. Is not this resolution part Of the poll
CIV of that party to which the Senator Mr..
McCreery) belongs AMI if it obtains power it
viii establish the policy which the resolution
indicates.
It was, perhaps, proper that he should COM
municaie fact in cduhection with this matter.
He was with Mr. Stanton when he gave the
order for the intermeui Of our dead at Airing
ton. Mr.. Stanton said tiat he dld 81 that
those graves might stand as a perpetual guard
against tie future r;-entrance at any time of
any of the L,e family IT, the Arlington estate,
or if they did come. they should encounter the
ghosts of the murdered ones.
Mr.. McCreery ssrl he had. of his own will
without cunSultation with any one of his col
lie lgues, irtr"lured this resolution. He was
alone RESP nsible Cor every word of it and ev-
cry sentiment winch he had uttered. He Was
responsible to tie Senate. Ia his constituents and
To- his God for the purity OF his Intentions
If. as he thought, the whole American people
were to be treated as one family, there was no
cause of rcproach to him. At the request
now IF his denocratic colleagues he would
withdraw his resolution.
The question then REQUIRED on the motion
of Mr.. EdmundS that the leave to introduce
the resolation be hot granted. which was
agreed to-yess 4:fMessrs Fowler, Hamilton
of Maryland, McCners and Vickers. nays "a.
Mr.. Trumbull declnled voting, believing it
the right of any Senator to introduce resou-
ton. M
The House resolutions Of respect in reference
to the death ofxmr. Robert Ridgway, late a
member of the House from Virginia, were re-
cevcd aud read Eulogies on the deceased
were delivered by the Senators from Virginia,
Messrs johnson aud Lewis, and the Senate
then adjourned