Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-01-31
SENATE.
tuesday,, Jan. Doth, 1872.

nays.
- SENATE.
tuesday,, Jan. both, 1872.
MESSAGES RECEIVED
from House of Representatives trans
hitting several bills, which were APP
propriately referred, and resolution
authorizing the General Assembly to
send for persons and papers in the
matter of the impeachment of Solicitor
Henry, which was, on motion of Mr..
Merrimon, laid on the table.
The hour arrived for the Special
Order, which was the consideration of
the Amnesty and Pardon Bill.
Mr.. Respass took the floor in oppo-
sition to the bill, and to reply to re-
marks of certain Senators who had
preceded him in favor of the bill 1t
had been repeatedly charged that he
had expressed himself for mercy. He
was in favor of extending mercy TO
the erring, but he wished 10 associate
justice with mercy. His outraged con-
stituency demanded justice at his
hands, and he wonld cast his vote ac-
cordinsly. Tic speaker proceeded to
review the speech of Mr. Norwood, re-
plying to and answering the position
taken by that gentlemen. also to the
remarks of Mr.. Durham, especially
the reference made to the foreiving
spirit of Christ while nailed to the
ccoss. The speaker concluded with a
general chargeof crimes upon ku-klux
organizations that he considered be-
You'd the pale of amnesty
At the conclusion of Mr. Respass'
IL
thought the matter had been sufficiently
discussed. and to prevent a further
waste of time, he felt compelled to call
the previous question, but gave way to
Mr.. Scott, who desired to defend his
position as member of the judiciary
Committee that considered the bill
He said that both sides of the CUES
ton had been fairly discussed, and no
the question, and even now he was OPP
posed to the call for the previous ques-
ton. He desired to see it discussed
in calm, cool and dispassionate man
ner, and he was re DICED to see that the
opposition had shown no great feeling
in meeting the question. The first day
the bill was introduced in the Senate,
so mildlywa it considered that a spec
ate as mutual admiration society,""
The Senators from Randolph and
Craven met the bill calmly and dispas-
sionately, but what is the spirit now
shown since the articles that have ap-
peared in their organ ? And now, since
such enormous crimes are charged in
their organ. how the pious sonl of the
Senator from Beaufort Mr.. Respass)
= ,,,<l 4 ill l..
that gentleman, he would say that his
speech this morning was nothing more
than a rehash of 1871 stump campaign
speeches, and better suited to his sable
auditory in the lobby than before this
Senate.
He did not propose, i'll supporting
this bill. to stand between criminals
and the bar of Justice. It seemed to
him that when the arm of civil law was
not strong enough to maintain its own
majesty, when it could not protect it,
self, then the object and purposes of
these organizations werenot altogether
evil. Whel, these outrages commit
ted, some almost by the light of burn
ing barns upon the incendiaries. it
seems We could feel as those men must
have felt, and find no effort to con-
clude that these are purely cases for
pardon and amnesty.
The speaker referred to the position
of Gov. Holden, who declared himself
in favor of pardon and amnesty, and
this bill contemplates no more than he
doing. He also referred to
the example of all Christendom, as
history shows, that exercised this elem
ency Immediately after revolutions. 1t
hot c-t,-,fn IL L >
end. Immigration was kept back, our
railroads at stand still; no one to
build them. Amnesty would vine
away all show or scmblance of these !
and n permanent peace
would hc the result. The speaker
passed high noa.plimcnt upon the !
address OF the Senator from Grange. !
delivered yesterday, and thought its
was clear and conclusive. /
> Mr.. Scott concluded by defining his
position. Repre- sen ing the constitu-
cncy that lie did, where no ku-klux
or kindred organization ever existed.
not one ever seen or heard of, IT was
not reasonable to suppose that he would
vote for amnesty aAI i,arInp fog THO
of Honneycut and the Toscuue
family, but he thought it was right and
worlld do so.
Harris. coIored, followed Mr.. Scott
n defence of the charges made bv
Senators against his own color and
heir connection with the Union
beaenes: ne cansad 30 l,e read the
oath OF the order of The Invisible
umpire and also the League oath. His
peech was in defence of the orders of
lis party, with concluding exhorta- ,
ION to the opposition to remain firm
u their purpose to vote against the
ill.
Mr.. Seymour was glad to see the .
pirit that had been exhibited by the
',0fs6fva.:'rA members On this floor
ince the discussion of this bill, and
atte lie regretted to see the harmony
lstlrbed that has characterized ths
sssioh VI be Senate. yet it becomes a
ecessity now. rs regarded % bin, g.,
J it was, an insult TO the members -
lie Union Leagues, Heroes of America.
g., in associating t hem with the vari I
Is kl-EinY organizations, and sent T
/ amendment Is the Clerks desk pro I
osing to strike out the names aboye 1
entioned from the bill. IF
Mr.. Seymour proceeded, at some {
myth, in support of his amendment, f
which he charged sixteen octave j
,lumes of crime on the Ku-Klux. L
c.. and said that the Conservative \
.rty could pass this bill, but. the re. 3
'onsibilifg would be on their shout. r
.rs. He did not wish to he under Z
God as making o charge ON any mem Il
r OF the Senats, hut against the
Irty. ia
Mr.. Allen next occupied the floor in
lvocacy of the bill. He said he would II
It reiterate the sentiments expressed
able Senators on this floor in favor at
the bill, bat aasiFed to call the at
ntion Of Senators to the inconsistent
Sitjon taken nv rnap,horo of %bo 80. ~,