Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-03-22
GyernOr Vance and Amnesty.


GvernOr Vance and Amnesty.
Pending tine passage of one of the bills
granting amnesty to individuals named
therein, in the House of Representatives
last week, Speaker Blaine called attention
to the fact that the name of Governor
VANCE, of North Carolina, was inserted in
one of them contrary to the exceptions
agreed upon by members. The following
colloquy ensued:
Mr.. Shober-I do not know by whose
authority the name referred to was insert
ed in the bill; but the gentleman III ques-
ton does not come within the category to
which the Speaker refers.
The Speaker-Has he not been a men,
Der of Congress?
Mr. Shojer-He was a member of Con-
gress, but he did not resign his seat to take
part in the secession movement.
The Speaker-That is not the point.
The question is whether while he was a
member of Congress he withdrew there
from and aided the rebellion.
Mr.. Shober-Ie did not withdraw tntil
on the 18th Of March, 1861, his term ex-
pired, and he was a candidate for re-elec-
ton at the time North Carolina seeded
from the Union.
The Speaker-The Chair was misin-
formed, then, as to tie precise facts of the
case. The disposition of the House has
been and is most generous, and the Chair
has been extremely anxious that this might
not be abused.
Mr.. ShObeT-I presume some one Of my
colleagues inserted the name Of Governor
Vance in the bill in the spirit which the
Chair seems to intimate.
The Speaker-The Chair is entirely I'M
informed what gentleman put it in.
Mr.. Waddell.-I desire to say one word,
as l am one Of the North Carolina delega-
ton here. | do not know who inserted the
name Of Mr.. Vance whoever did insert it
in the bill has not, so far as L know, viola
ted any understanding, tacit or otherwise,
of the House. The House has instructed
the Committee on the Judiciary to report
All amnesty bill.
The Speaker.-The Chair does not dc
sire argument upon that point. The ques-
ton of amnesty is not now before the
House.
Mr. Waddcll-Mr. Vance, however oil .
noxious he may he personally to gentle
men, does not come within the provisions
Of the law. He did not withdraw from
his seat in Congress and take part in the
rebellion. His term had expired, and he
was candidate for reelection at the time
the State seeded.
The Speaker-The gentleman well
knows that had it been stated yesterday,
when a call for amnesty bills was made,
that the name Of Mr.. Vance was included,
it would have elected discussion and obiec-
ton in the House.
Mr.. Waddell-I do not know that it
would have defeated the bill at all.
In the afternoon Mr.. Leach rose to the
following personal explanation
Mr.. Leach-Upon coming into this Hall
this morning, after the House had met, l
was informed by my colleagues that some
excitement had grown out of the announce
ment of the fact thatthe name of Governor
Z. B. Vance, of North Carolina appeared
among the NAMES presented on yesterday
for incorporation iii bill for the removal
of disabilities. AND it was stated by your
self, Mr.. Speaker, as | understand, that you
were sorry the member who presented that
name was not present to avoW it and ask
to have it withdrawn. Sir, | presented
that name, and / did it in view of what |
thought to be the duty that devOlved upon
me as a member of this House.
1t is fact known, l suppose, to the
whole House that Governor Vance is not
one Of those excluded by any law that has
passed Congress, or by any rule or vote of
this House. lie was a member of Con-
gress with me before the war; and we re-
manned here acting aud voting as Union
men until the expiration of our term and
the Inauguration CT the late lamented
President Lincoln.
This House has, by three-fourths or four
fifths majority, passed not less than four or
i've bills removing the disabilities of Gov
ernor Vance. More than that, sir, his
relief is recommended by Ex-Governor
Holden, of North Carolina, and also, have
understood, by the present Governor, Gov
ernOr Caldwell and | believe all five of
the Republican Judges of the Supreme
Court of my Safe. In addition to that,
the Legislature of North Carolina, en-
bracing one hundred and seventy members,
and containing a very large Republican mi
nority, passed. with but nine or ten dis
senting votes, resolution which was sent
to this Congress asking tor the removal of
the disabilities of Governor Vance.
These, sir, are facts which stand upon
record; and L take occasion to say now and
here that those who know me know I am
Incapable of any conduct incompatible with
the character of a gentleman or of taking
any improper advantage il any matter of
this kind.
Now, sir, as this House had passed sey-
eral bills for the removal Of the disabilities
of Governor Vance, and as he was not en-
braced in the classes which have been ex-
Guided in the general bills, l had right to
present his name in the manner l did as
that OF warm personal friend and gene
rous-hearted man; and III SO doing 1 was
representing the people Of my State. |
know that | was representing ninteen
twertieths of more than two hundred and
twenty thousand voters of North Carolina
of both parties and both races. know, sir,
that Governor Vance, with whom [ am
well acquainted, would be the last man in
the world to have his name standing in
bill as an obstacle to the removal of the
disabilities of anybody else.
= In the simplicity of my nature, in the
honesty of ny leart, with a sincere pur-
pose to do what thought right, and what
L thought justified by the bills which this
House passed last spring and again last
winter, and / believe again this spring by
four fifths majority for the removal Of Gov.