The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-01-21
AMNESTY.


The most exciting subject before
the present Congress, so far, is that
of universal and complete amnesty
for all the late rebels, including
JEFF. DaYis. The bill was brought
forward and advocated by Randall,
leading Democrat of Pennsylvania.
1t was opposed by ex-Speaker
Blaine and other Republicans. who
wanted to modify it by excluding
Davis, and to strengthen the oath
which they should be required to
take. The Democrats expected,
with their great majority, TO ride
over the Republicans rough shod,
but III this they made great mis-
take. 1t took a two-thirds vote to
pass the bill. In tact and brains
Blaine was too much for them, and
the bill failed.
In the discussion q speech was
made by Confederate Hill which
has attracted much attention. 1t
was so full of vituperative rebel
venom as to disappoint even
the Bourbons. As it reYerberated
through the hall it sounded like
the old days when the Southern
slave drivers held sway in Con-
gress. 1t reminded those who
heard it of the days when the bio
WAITING Toombs wanted to call the
roll of his slaves from Bunker Hill
monument, and when Sumner suf-
fered for Freedom. 1t fell like a
wet blanket upon the hopes of the
Democratic majority. Its vindic-
tive sectionalism and hatred of the
/ North were undoubtedly an exhibit
ton of the true spirit of the South
q srn Democrats leaders. With them
, secession is as sacred as ever
This speech, it is stated, was not
, even printed in the Congressional
Recrod, the official organ. 1t will
probably not appear in the North
I as a Democratic campaign docu
ment. This Hill is the same maj
who, as a member of the Confeder
Congress, offered a resolution TO thu
effect that all negro soldiers, ant
all white men found connected
: with them as officers, should no
u even be treated as prisoners of war
d but be shot on the spot when cap
II tured. The Republicans seem t.
Is have evinced a spirit of fairness il
u this matter, but very properly re
Re fused to rehabilitate the Anderson
ie vile murderer with the sacret
NJ robes of citizenship.
= The position in which the Demo
:" Gratis have sought to entrench them
selves on this amnesty bill, is tina
in this centennial year the wound
n of the war should be entirely healed
t. and the centennial anniversar
X should see the country without
lt single citizen under disabilities 70
C, political offences. But while the,
f. insist upon this position for tn
y, benefit at unrepentant rebels the,
rs do not propose to extend it to thos
D. Union men whom they in III
ne Southern states have placed undo
Id the same disabilities tor polite,
j. causes. There are six hnndred rel
hi els TO be benefited, and but fe,
G. Union men. If they were SINGER
ct they could afford to relieve the di
abilities of the one to get those
the other removed. But they wi
not do this, On the contrar
while refusing to remove the di
III abilities of ex-Gov. Holden, the
" are plotting to place Gov. Am'
, and Licut.-Gov. Davis, of Missi
" siPpi, and Gov. Kellogg of Lou
- sians, under the same disabiliti,
:. for no other than political reason
- If they ment what they say the
= would reciprocate, but that is NJ
the point, at all.
nc The bill is to be offered agai
% by Republicans in a comprC
v mise shape, and it remains to /
seen whether the Democrats al
making a fight for decent prime
pie or for jeff Davis PERSONAL