Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-06-21
SENATOR RANSOM and OV.VANCE
REMOVAL OF DISABILITIES.

norted from the committee on Political Dis
abilities unanimously, 1t will lead to no
debate.
Mr. Conkling. hope it is not bill TO /
remove disabilities.
Mr. Robinson. 1t is.
MIR. Conkling. Oh, 10.
Mr. FrelInghuysen. Shall we have the |
morning hour this evening"
The Presiding officer. Ies.
Mr.. Pomeroy. Very we'll. If we are |
entitled to a morning hour l hope We shall
adjourn.
Mr.. Ransom. ak tie Senate 10 hear
me for few moments. This bill proposes
to remove the political disabilities Of certain
persons therein named. Among the names
is that of Gov. Vance, Of North Carolina.
[ trust the Senate will pardon me for say
ing that l feel very deep interest, both a
patriotic and personal interest, i'll having
the sabilities OF that distinguished citi-
zen OF INV State removed. With me 1t is
not only high duty but the first impulse;
the sacred sentiment of AL honorable man.
1t is known that Gov. Vance was elected
by the Legislature Of North Carolina to
seat in the Senate, and that in consequence
of political disabilities he was denied adj
mission here. Tie resigned the pO-
sitiOn, and | was chosen TO take the seat
which il was the ANXIOUS wish OF the State
pressing here my great regret that he was
not admitted to the place for which his
eminent abilities and virtues SO well fitted
him. The bill relieving him has received
the unanimous approval ct the committee
of the Senate on the Removal of Disabili-
ties.
He has presented to Congress petition
asking the removal Of his disabilities.
have examined that petition, and find it
what | knew it was, Il candid, honest, man.
ly paper, honorable alike to the head and
heart of its high-minded author, l know
Gov. Vance We'll, and fear that impress
sions unjust to his public character and
conduct prevail here. There is a preju-
dice that he sought his election to the
Senate III defiance of the laws of the coun-
try and it, violation Of The amendment to
| the Constitution. Let ne say that is a
! great mistake the facts prove just the re-
verse.
! | state what, am sure, my colleague on
| this floor Will not deny, that Governor
| Vance was nGmiua, I'll i'll 1870 by his party
! as a candidate for the senate branch of the
! North Carolina Legislature, and declined
| that nomination on the express ground
! that Us the LEGISLATURE convened before
! the assembling, Of Congress his disabilities
| could not In itmUFed, aud under the
Amendment To- tie Constitution he could
not take his seat i'll the Legislature. In
! stead of defiance, MIR. President, here was
manifest, sincere deftrrence 10 the COnsti-
| tuition. But when the Legislature met and
| Governor Vance had received assurances
from leading Republicans all over the couL-
try, among whom, trust, may be per
mitted to say, was the distinguished chair
man Of the SENATE Committee on the Re
! moyal Of Disabilities, that Congress would
relieve him in time 10 take Ills seat on the
! 9TH OF March,, 1871, lie was elected to the
Senate and upon ;lsctrt2ining hat Congress
was UNIV Hing To pass Il hill tnr his relief,
with patriotic ma@naninIiy returned to
the Legislature OF \ OTth Carroll IA his COM
mission. l deny That Governor Vance or
the Legislature OF North Carolina intend
ed any defiance o. contempt to Congress
or the CONSTITUTIONS All the facts demon
strate tho opposite.
Why, M. President, the Legislature Of
North Carolina with Only five or six dis
I senting votes PASSED rco0l It!On request
ing Congress Ia relieve Governor Vance.
The Governor Of the State, d Republican ::
the tive justices OF tiIc supreme court Of the
State, all RepU .hcans: and IA large number
of leading Republicans throughout North
Carolina united In al appeal TO Congress
to the same effect These statements con-
denim forever as utterly groundless every
insinuation rejecting upon the patriotism,
the honor, the magnaniInity OF that gifted
and generous man. Let me say to Sena-
tors that it is not a form when l declare
that in all the qualities that command the
| admiration of good men, his character will
not suffer in comparison with that of any
OF those who give honor to this body.
| One noble act of his public life which
| ought to pass into history and forever 81
lence every whisper against him in this
H.
to the people of North Carolina, and the
deed received their generous appreciation :
that when the confederate government in
| the daIk winter of 1SG4-f5, was so CON-
| pletely exhausted i'll resources that it could
| neither feed nor clOtle tie Cnlted States
prisoners at Salisbury, Governor Vance,
| then the Executive Of the State, with Chris
tian and heroic humanity divided the "a
| tons and raiment, which his provision had
provided for the North Carolina soldiers
with the suffering prisoners at Salisbury
| This deed speaks for itself, and trust will
| be heard here to-day. Again let me ap-
| peal to Senators i'll the name of the noble
State of North Carolina, and let me say,
| as an act of personal courtesy, justice to
| me, to pass this bill.
| Mr.. Spencer, hope the I'LL will pass. l
have examined it and know all the names
| in it.
Mr.. Chandler. 1 shall want an equal ex-
planation as to the others, and move that
the Senate adjourn.
Mr.. Ransom hope not. 1t will only
take minute to pass this bill.
Ar. POmeroy. | have generally objected
to these bills, but | have the profoundeSt
respect for the Senator from North Carroll
ia, and l believe what he has said.
Mr.. Conkliug. So we all have, but there
are seven other names in the bill.
Mr.. Spencer. And not name to which
there is objection.
The Presiding Officer. The motion is to
adjourn.
MI Ransom. l hope the Senator from
Michigan will withdraw the motion. If the
Senator could put himself in my position
he would know how much desire this bill
to pass.
Mr.. Chandler. If the Senator will take
! out Governor Vance alone and move that
his disabilities be removed, very well but
L want to hear the explanation in the other
seven or eight cases.
Mr.. Spencer. We can give the Senator
the explanation.
MI Ransom. Then ask the Senate to
let me have vote on the removal of Gov
ernor ance's disabilities. T"Yesr'1
The Presiding Officer. 1t is moved to
amend the bill by striking out the other
names.
Mr.. Spencer. 1 hope that will not be
done. ..-. =.
Mr.. Chandler. insist on the motion to
! adjourn.
The motion to adjourn was not agreed to,
Mr.. Spencer. Now hope the bill will be
passed without striking out any names, /
want one inserted. / move to amend the
blu by inserting the name Of David Klop-
ton, of Alabama.