Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-19


rnf rionr-TfE RErunLicAN NATIONAL COS
NhNrfoN-THE PRESIDENTIAL cANnibNrfs.
WAsnrNGroS, D. c., January 10 1876.
MossTs Editors'-Ihe entire interest Of the whole
people at the Capital this week has been conferred
upon the debate in the House on the amnesty bill
Tho occasion has been one Of more than usual
importance to the country, while the subjects
which have been brought up during the debate
have been such as to awaken an echoing discus
sion in the minds OF all classes The debate was
commenced by the attempted introduction, by
Mr. Blaine, Of an amendment to the amnesty bill
previously introduced by Mr. Randall. This amend
ment excepted from the provisions Of amnesty the
person OF Jefferson Davis Mr.. Randall declined
10 admit the amendment, and at once called the
previous question on his own bill Mr. Blaine
then asked him II he proposed to cut of amend
mcnt, to which Mr. Randall replied that he fist
desired the previous question, and then would
give the Republican side half OF the time allowed
Tor debate to discuss the bill Al" said Mr.
Blaine, the gentleman well knows that such
course will prevent amendments" Wei" said
Mr Randall, with good deal Of feeling 81 have
sat here for twelve years under tho direction Of
the gentleman from Maine, and now propose TO
assert the rights Of the majority" In this spirit
was the battle Of words commenced, this was the
dHimus that excited the leaders, and the gauntlet
thus thrown down was boldly taken up by the
gallant cxspeaker The latter gentleman Oh
t,ined the floor, aud In most eloquent speech ar
guod against admitting JEFF Davis to the rights Of
American citizenship Tho galleries were soon
filled, rs well as the vacant space IN the rear Of
the seats, with attentive listeners, while members
crowded the aiscs around the desk to catch his
every word lie referred to the atrocities At An
Jacksonville rs the work Of the President Of the
southern conicdcHcy, and for that reason alone
he should be shut out from the privileges Of am
nosty While agreeing that the execution Of
Whz was fully justified, he held that in many
times greater measure his great superior deserved
the same fate lie finally gave away TO Sunset
Cox, who was spuuod on by the democrats who
gathered about him. and encouraged until he said
some smart, snappy things. such pulling OF
coat-tas and confidential vhsperings were sell
dom known before and when hc read psalm or
called upon some tutelag god for strength to tell
Mr Blaine that he believed he would never be-
President all the ex-coufedcratcs made the mar
bic binding fairly shake with tho loud collision
Of applauding hands Cox was ia his happiost
ings Of our poor soldiers at Andcrsouvilc. that
will doubtless be enjoyed by their mothers and
fathers il they read the Congressional Bsc1rd-al-
though the speech was held over from the printer
two days for revision, Of It's sentences being
deemed by the author rs hardly the thing for a
campaign document Judge Kelley. Of pennsylya-
mia, closed the days debate with a general plea
for amnesty, uncquvoca and absolute, which was
cheored by the Southern members who ENJOYED
it hugely
The next day old Ben Hill OF Georgia had the
foor A. the exponent Of Southern ehi,ary, and
the acknowledged mouthpiocc Of the majority Of
the House in It's present status During the war he
was the most popular man in Georgia. at the be-
ginning he was opposed TO secession, but went
with his state, and was elected to the confederate
Senate The galleries had an immense numberof
ex-coniedemtes n them all auxiously waiting for
something to applaud but as he did not say any
thing rhetorical or use any sonteutious phrase
that could create stir, hi. auditors didn't en-
thu.e worth cent lis great mistake was 10
charging 10 treatment Of Southern prisoners at
Elmia, Rock Island and other places, by Union
officers, but this he partially took back, and was
made TO feel much ashamed for it afterwards
His speech was also withheld from the Record Tor
revision for obvious reasons
On Wednesday the IIoaso was crowded again 10
hear the speech Of Gen. Garfield, Of Ohio. who
had the door In front Of the General desk sat
Ben Hill, intent ON hearing the rcply to himself,
and when the regular order was announced, mem-
bcrs, by common consent, laid aside their writing
aud squared themselves in listening attitudes for
what might fall from the orators lips Gen
Garfeld's presence is both impressive and pleas
ing His large well-shaped head. manly, ylgor-
Gus form, and frank open bluo eve, mark him
every inch man His voice can be easily heard.
and his enuuciation is distinct lie arose self
poised and thoroughly informed OF what he in
tended to say, and yet, for a single moment he
seemed awed with the solcmnity Of the subject,
and the circumstances which rendered possible
the scene before him. On his left holding equal
privileges with himself sat one Of the minis
ters in the councils Of Jefferson Davis aud near
by, many men who had, within the last few years
devoted all their energies to tho accomplishment
Of tho murderoi American nationality. who. amid
she'll blood and carnage, had sought the dcstruc-
ton Of the American Union. and had led armed
hosts against the flag Of our common country
Yet he was ready for any emergency. and
through him the North spoke with no uncertain
sound lie held that, though jefferson Davis, in
one sense, was no more guilty than his associates
in treason, he was the creator and the originator
Of the policy that made It Impossible Tor q Union
soldier once In bis hands 10 ever return 90 the ser
vice again. he was the friend aud sustainor % Che
arch-apostate Winder, who was the presiding
fend in Andenonyilcs twenty three acres Of
"proioundest he'll, where in one year. twelve
thousand six hundred and forty made their Glad
escape 10 the graye-a number surprising that
killed in ten of the great battles Of modern time.
Waterloo included With wonderful force no pre-
scented the contrast in the treatment Of confeder-
ate prisoners at lmira and other places, how they
were well housed and fed and clothed aud To-
democratic witness from Emu was forced to
stand up and acknowledge the truth When the
speech was closed, it was conceded that he had
ably stated the case, had sIandly indicated the
purposes, courage and humanity Of the great
unon-loying North in its contest for the Union.
and had made really, the best argument Of the
week Professor Seelye, OF Massachusetts,, made
on the same day, his maiden speech in Congress
lie proved that he had voice capable Of being
heard in all parts Of the hall, that he has fine
dction and a well-tained intellect entirely under
N"Htl"l' hheAltl ne VIII prove more dangerous
to the Republicans or the democrats he is evil
IDENTIFY somebody, and does credit to the emf
nent institution Of learning with which he has
been so long connected
Gu the next day, by agreement Mr. Blaine
closed the debate and the bill was referred to the
Judiciary committee. Previous to this, however
Gen. Banks made Of his best and most bril-
liant speeches. which commanded the undivided
attention Of the House. lie first offered an
TO the original bill of Mr. Randall, |
to the effect that those whose political disabii-
ties had not been removed should receiycamncsty
by taking an oath to support and defend the CON |
sttution OF the United States He then referred,
at length, to the prolonged debate that had arisen
upon the bill, and in eloquent language pleaded |
for universal amnesty as the only way to esiab- |
lish the peace Of the country. II jefferson Davis
had been guilty Of crime, let him be tried and
punished Why should wo plead the statute of
limitations for him ? These crimes which had
been referred TO- were in the line of criminal pro-
eodure, and this House was no place for their dis
'ussion, lie referred, feelingly 10 the scenes
whlch were presented at the centennial celebra-
lions at Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill
where soldiers Of both armies marched shoulder
10 shoulder, and spoke Of the Centennial wear as
The time 10 bury the remembrance Of mast yrongs
and offences that have been left diminished lie
was followed by Mr. 1arbox, of Massachnsotts
IN the same line Of argument
The closing scene Of the week which occurred
Yesterday was perhaps more exciting than all,