The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-12-15

gfeQs TaemofIes OF the pG5fioSic
dead OF Arlington, by removing their:
bones to less hallowed ground, in tender
consideration of the rights of the widow
OF the arch rebel of the most wicked
rebellion in history.
Scott said, coupling together the
names OF Thomas and Leo recalled the
utterance of Stephen A. Douglas, made
at the time those two Generals resolved
to tread in opposite paths, that at that
time there were but two classes in the
municipalities aud traitors. The pa
tience with which the Senate of the
United States had to-day listened to
eulogy upon the chief conspirator in the
attempt to tear down tho Government,
was but another illustration of that
unparalleled magnanimity and mercy
which had characterized the treatment
by the Government of those engaged in
rebellion. Had the subject of that Gu
logy succeeded in his efforts. where
would the American Senate now be sit
ting? BY his triumph slavery would
have cast its dark shadow nll over this
land of freedom, from the st. Lawrence
to the Gulf. To-day the doctrine of
secession lies buried beneath tho bones
of thousands, who fell that their blood
might seal the covenant of tho nation.
Yet to-day we behold the spectacle of u
resurrectionist coming here to drag the
dead doctrine out from beneath the
bones Of the nations martyrs.
Wiley characterized the resolution rs
most. insulting and shocking to the sense
OF the Senate and the country, and as
abhorrent to humanity. Though per-
sonally tenacious of the rights of indi-
vldual members, he could not vote to
receive it.
Sawyer said the Arlington estate, like
thousands of acres of property in the
South, had been forfeted-sold ut pub
lie sale for non-payment of taxes, and
bought by the United States. In the
absence of any memorial from Mrs. Lee,
ne regarded the contemplated inquiry
as utterly worthless, rs the facts he had
stated were we'll known, and needed no
verifcation.
Salisbury disnpproved of that part; of
the resolution looking to removal Of the
graves from Arlington, but he could not
see that the merits of the cause in which
General Lee was engaged were at oil in
controversy. He regarded the question
as ono simply of Senator to exercise
his right to introduce business.
Nye said the unseemly haste in certain
quarters to restore traitors to favor could
result in no good. The verdict today
and of posterity is, and will that
General Lee was traitor.
Flanagan, in some general remarks,
spoke OF General Lee as the great traitor
of the age, whose influence had carried
into rebellion the flower of Southern
youth. Davis, the other great traitor,
still lived, and in the light of recent
events, it was not unreasonable to expect
on early move to make him President.
Sumner desired that parliamentary
law should be administered upon the
present occasion with tho utmost rigor,
wish view to the most summary dispo-
sition Of the resolution. He had no.
thing to say of General Lee, except that
his name stood upon the catalogue of
those who had imbued their hands in
their country's blood He was content
to hand him over to tho avenging pen of
history. He regarded tho resolution ms
indicative OF the sentiments Of the polit-
ical associates of the Senator from Ken
lucky, as pre6gnring the policy they
would establish should they obtain power,
policy which WAS to take the old rebel
lion by the hand and to install it in the
high places Of power. Gould he make
his voice heard from Massachusetts to
Louisiana, it would be TO warn his fell
ow-countrymen, especially OF the South,
against that combination which now
showed it's hand in the proposition of the
Senator from Kentucky. He stated that
he was present when Secretary Stanton
gave tho order for the interment of the
dead bodies of Union soldiers ut Airing
ton, and that Stanton stated ut the time
that his purpose in selecting the place
was to forever prohibit the re.interment
OF the Lee family there; that if they did
come, they might encounter the ghosts
of their victims. He quoted the cpl
taph above the grave of Shakespeare,
which lie now proposed to write above
the graves OF every one of our patriot
dead:
Good friend, for Jesus sake, forbcar
10 dig the dust enclosed here.
Blessed be the man that spares these
stones,
And curst be lie that moves my bones"
Mr.. McCrecry stated that the resoln-
ton was In no sense an embodiment of
Democratic sentiment, but had been sub
niitted upon his individual responsibility
without consultation with h;a collaoonos