The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-02-06

In ,be House, at Washington, on Thurs /
dav January 3Oth, Mr.. Willard, of Yer
mont, from the Committee on Revolution
ary Pensions and the War Of 1912, report
ed back, with the recommendation that it |
do pass, the bill restoring the names OF
certain persons TO the pension-rolls, and in
amendment OF an act entitled An act
granting pensions to the survivors OF the
war of 1872" approved February IA, 1871. I
MIR. Willard explained and advocated the
bill in an able manner, permitting inter
ruptions and kindly answering them. We
make few extracts from the running de-
bate which occurred
Mr. Hawley, of Connecticut. May |
nsk the gentleman one short question
Mr.. Willard Certainly.
Mr. Hawley, of Connecticut. / will
simply test the gentleman by one short
question. Is he now, or does he expect
20 he. willing to pension Jefferson DAVIS
for his gallant behavior at Buena ls3
Mr.. Willard | would inquire oi the
gsntleman from Connecticut II Jefferson
Davis was wounded at Buena Nistaf
Mr. Hawloy, of Connecticut. II he was
NOT. many other men were wounded, and
we're distinguished by their gallant behav-
ior in Mexico
Mr.. Willard. Does the gentleman de
sire 10 carry forward as a principle in our
legislation. that il is wise "a place this
mark of rebellion upon the front Of every
man who ut any time sympathlzed with
the rebels?
Mr.. Hawley, of Connecticut Yes just
this mark that he shall not be pensioned;
no other mark Let him live, and let him
remember what he has done; but let him
not be peusioned.
Mr.. Farnsworth. What is he to live
on?
Mr.. Hawley didn't answer.
Mr. Butler. Of Massachusetts, Mr.
Speaker am quite certain that | shall not
fall under any condemnation for not hay
ing held up the standard of loyalty 10 the
highest and fullest extent during the war
and since ! desire rs much rs any man
can that treason shall be regarded as a
crime, and rebellion, superadded treason,
shall be held to be murder of the citizen
who fell by it, hand But, sir, when the
war was raging this question presented il
self "a me, and ! have the record in my
hand now Of my action'on that occasion,
have here PartOns New Orleans, from
which 1 propose TO read. It became nee
cssary in the course of military operations
to disarm the citizens Of New Orleans. and
there were old soldiers of the war of 1872
there who came 10 me tears trimming IN
their eyes, bringing 10 me their swords and
saving. Let me keep my sword which
wore with Jackson at Chalmette. ann
too old TO strike blow with it against your
government although my sympathles art
against YOU / said, Keep the sworC
youworc when you defended yourcountry
nag On page ij6 of this book ! tnC
this passage
Union men known and tried were psrmittr
POP keep their arms. To one or two old soldier "a
the war oi 1874 the privilege wa, accorded OF r.
taluiuR The weapons once honombly borne IN Tn
service ~ thc'f country
That was may action then such will b
my action now. | had no fear Of harm
from the men who held those swords.
was certain that they were once loyal, tru
tn our flag they had shed their blood 70
It and shown their devotion TO il, and al
though in their old age they had been car
ricd away by the passions and prejudiees o
the hour and the society which surrouudc,
them, vet / then believed they must sti
be right at heart but whether right q
wrong they had earned the right ~ b
wrong by shedding their blood for the
country. Applause. Therefore, sir,
made the order ! have read when the bay
oupts Of the enemy were threatening tn
lives Of my soldiers, and ! shall not swery
from the principle Of that order nov
When the question comes up Of proyidin
for jeff Davis in his old age for his ser,
ices at Buena Vista it will be time 10 giS
the proper consideration, and Buena Wis
will do much IN palliate subsequent wron
will not consider that question now. II
question now before us, shall we cOnfsca
the property OF these old soldiers, now Il
only property which we have contiscate
for we have given back an other. for the
pensions are their property. bestowed {
them By their country for a valuable CO.
siderati0n of wounds suffered and lit
blood lost in defense of their country
sell
We were obliged during the war 10 sell
that property and all other property fro
those engaged in the rebellion or residu
in rebellious territory as a matter Of safe
and necessity That was a matter
safety such laws then were proper to
passed we should not then pay money
those who might use it against us III
war Is now happily over, and being owe
lei US now not remember what were Il
thoughts or acts of these old soldiers
the Union in lSGl-'62, but their deeds al
services in 1872 IA Let us rememh
the New Orleans Of 1912, and strive to e
pect the New Orleans of 1862
Mr. Hawley of Illinois. This is not
new question 10 the House. II came he
IN 1870, upon bill then reported by t
same committee to give the soldiers
1912 and their widows the pensions d
them. Ii will be remembered that d
bil passed in 1870 contained a clau
which excluded from its provisions al
benefits all the soldiers Of 1879 who h;
engaged in the late rebellion. In Il
record OF the debate upon that bill a.
lind in the Globe, 1t appears that
Winans, Of Ohio moved TO amend the |
nv striking out the following words
And who at no time during the late rebeI
against the authority Of the United states Adhai
tu The cause Of the cnimies OF the Goyernme
Nl'lhk thcm az ana comfort or exercised thr IA
lions Of any oficU whatever under any authority
pretended authority IN hostility 10 the Uni
states, and who shall take and subscribe o
Q" support the Constitution Of the United state
Now. the motion made by Mr.. Wilma
of Ohio was 10 strike from the bill
ported from this same committee
words I have read That motion was
bated at considerable length | RENE
Der well that the distinguished gentlem
t''li fadFoshlAiu1oNt7 llutAeLI
speech then in favor Of the amendme
and alluded 10 the same circumstan,
that he has alluded 70 to-day as having
CURED at New Orleans. ! find my me
Dry refreshing by referring 10 the Glob
his remarks on that occasion we're substs
tally the same as those made bv him he
to-day Now after debate running D
haps through Il whole morning hour,
House by vote OF 100 to 60 refused
strike from the bill the clause ! ha
read
Now, ] appeal to this House in all C.
dor to know what has occurred within |
past two or three years which should le
Congress now to say that these soldiers
the war of 1912 shall be restored to |
pension-rol, regardless of the quest
whether OF not they were loyal during
late war. Congress then deliberately D
nounced its opinion and conviction Il
they ought not 10 have pensions uni