National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-03-24
MIR. SUMNER AND THE MAssACHr.
SETS IRGIsLATTRR.

In our tclegrnphlc correspondence during
the last week repeated alluslons have been
made to the action Of the Massachusetts,
Legislature upon Mr.. Summers battle-nag
resolution. To properly understand the whole
question, we subjoin the various resolutions
in the Assembly, together with the votes
thereon. The first is as follows:
Rssolred BY the Scndts and Houss ~ RrprsAentd-
tires in General Court assembled, That iho "Teso-
luton relating to the bill pending In Con-
gress, concerning the army registers and the
national nags," be, and the same Il hereby, re-
| scinded and annulled.
This was rejected by vote Of ~ to l6T.
Mr.. Stone then withdrew the following sub
stitutesi
RssnIred. That while the Legislature Of 1873
decline the always delicate function Of passing
Judgment on any act Of past Legislature, they
tender TO the Hon. Charles sumner their hearty
sympathies In his long and painful illness, and
their grateful appreciation OF his great and con-
tinued service In the cause Of national freedom
aud progress.
Mr. soule, Of Springfield, then offered the
following substitute, which was rejected, re-
celylng only q few votes:
Rssoired By the Senate and Houac ~ Rsprssrntd-
tires in General Court dsssabied, That without
hereby expressing any approval Of the bill pend
ing In Congress concerning the army registers
aud national nags, they decline to pass iudg-
Iature Of the year 1879 relative to that bill.
Mr.. Whitfield then withdrew the substitute
offered by him approving Senator Summers
course except on the battle-aag resolution !;
after which the following substitute was
rejected, receiving ouly about twenty-five
votes
Rrsolred Jg the Ssndte aud HOUsr u Rsprsssntd-
tires in General Court assembled, That the Legis-
lature OF Massachusetts,, In declining TO rescind
the resolution relating to the bill pending In
ar 10 no me st ISerrsy % Iess
upon the patriotism OF the honorable Senator
who introduced the bill, but TO express the gen
erai sentiment OF the people OF Massachusetts,.
motion was then made to Withdraw the
following resolutions, hut objection was
made, and 1t was defeated by an Ovcrwhelm-
ing majority;
RcsoirSd, That while condemning the PROPOSE
| tiOn 10 remove from our national hngs and army
registers the names OF the battles which our
troops engaged In during the late rebellion, that
this Legislature hereby declare that the people
OF Massachusetts, still retain the utmost cOnn-
dence In the Hon. Charles sumner.
Rcsolred, That his Excelency the Governor be
requested to transmit copy OF this resolution
TO our Senators and Representatives In Con-
gress.
Mr.. Abbott again cndcayored to withdraw
his motion to indefinitely postpone, but objec-
NAhh NhS hAhAN ~ 7NNNAo ihShbolHt hhh ~
was defeated by rird poce vote. A count
showed ~ In favor of pustponlng to 1870
against 1t. The report Of the committee, ask
ing leave to withdraw, was then accepted,
and the matter was settled by refusal to
| remove the resolutions from the records.
II vote were taken In every Legislature
In the country upon the subject there Is no
doubt that II would share exactly the same
tate as in the Massachusetts House Of Assem-
bly,. Mr.. Summers resolution is direct
insult to the living as well as the dead. The
agitation Of the question Ia unwlse and un-
patriotic and tends to perpetuate the feel
lngs and memories that 1t purports to oblit-
crate. The Massachusetts Senator ought to
be convinced from this action Of his own
State that Its Introduction was, to characterize
1t Ns mildly as possible, grave blunder.