Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-01-22
RLAHR,s n%nNsrsrRNnY

BLANks CONSISTENCY.
That ex-Speaker Blaine represents q
certain class Of badly informed, preju'
diced, bigoted people who applaud his
bloody purposes and uttersnces no in
telligent person can deny. Fortunately
however, there is a large and conserva-
tive Republican element at the North
to whom his sentiments are distastetul
and repulsive. These people know as
much about the wa as Mr.. Blaine, and
they know more about his record than
he cares to have exposed. The intelli-
gent people of New England have mostly
turned their backs on the war and will
not cancel the loyal and fraternal ex-
pressions at the Concord and Lexington
centennials last year in the presence of
the men from the South. The Boston
Advertiser, which is the leading Repub-
lcan paper of New England, says that
Mr.. Blaine's effort, the other day
was a backward step and not in sympa-
thy with the spirit aud tendency of the
times" and that the Republicans gained
a fruitless victory at great cost" The
Advertiser proceeds to contrast the pre-
sent and past attitude of Mr.. Blaine and
his followers on the subject of amnesty.
The Committee on Rules, consisting Of
Speaker Blaine and Messrs. Maynard,
Garfield, Cox and Randall, agreed on
and reported a bill which was passed by
the House, and which included Jefferson
Davis in its scope, IS wal declared by
it's authors when it was on its passage.
We reproduce the official report:
Congressional Record. Dec. s. 1881
GENERAL AMNESTY.
Mr.. Maynard am instructed by the
Committee on the Rules to report the
bill which | send to the desk. 1t has met
the unanimous approval Of the commit.
tee. and when it mas been read | will,
unless some gentleman wishes to ask
questions or to make opposition to it,
move the previous question.
1The bill removed all disabilities i'm
posed and remaining upon any person
on account Of bis participation in the
rebellion. II furthermore provided thai
such persons, if elected to any Office Of
honor or profit under the government Of
the United States, should before entering
upon il take the modified oath prescribed
by the act Of July IL, l868-the same
that has been required of all persons who
we're in the Confederate service, and are
now holding honorable positions under
the Constitution
Mr.. Msynsrd-I the previous
question.
Mi. Lawrence-Would not that admit
JEFF Davis to a seat on this hoor2
Several Members-Certainly
Mr.. Lawrence-Then | object to it.
Mr.. Hoar made a point Of order that
the resolution could only be admitted
under q suspension of the rules, which
the Speaker sustained.
Mr.. Maynard-Then / move to sus.
pend the rules, so as to allow the com
mittee TO report this bill and to pass it
In answer to the question of the gentle
+. man from Ohio (Mr. Lawrence), | tel
him frankly thatthis bill will, if enacted,
admit the President of the Southern
Confederacy, Just as the Vice President
has been already admit !, to n seat in
either house Of COngrerl, provided the
people where he liv shall think proper
to send him here. 1t is general amnesty
as recommended by the President, and
it also repells what is called the test
oath, substituting the modified oath we
have all heard 80 often.
Mr.. Butler-I do not object to the bill
II it has been considered and reported
by a committee.
Mr.. Maynard-It is reported by the
Committee on Rules unanimously.
Mr.. Butler-All right.
The Speaker-The bill would require
q two-thirds vote to pass it.
Mr.. Cox-Is there any objection Il
passing 1t unanimously The PresideR
AC~COuihbuub aAAhCaAJ iNb A8 uudul
mously wind up this foolish business o
taking the test oath.
The question was taken on Mr.. May
nard's motion; and on a division Their
were-yeas l4l, nays 20. So (two-third
voting in favor thereof the rules werl
suspended and the bill was passed.
The bill passed the last House by
majority Of nearly Eve to one aud Nj
Blaine never opened his mouth in oppC
sition. 1t was lost in the Senate. Nov
Mr.. Randall Introduces a similar bill
and Mr.. Blaine having in the meantim
become an aspirant for the Presidency
goes back on the record Of ten years
Let the people Of the South keep cool
Blaine does not represent a large follow
ing in the North, and will not be nomin
ated for the Presidency. His is tina
vaulting ambition which often overleapl
itaaifn