Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1878-12-17

South showed them that they
wanted this investigation. He
[Ransonl now appealed to the Senate
and to the Senator from Maine. Was
| not this opposition to the amendment
mockery? Those who opposed the
amendment must admit one OF two
things: That they couldn't protect their
witnesses, or their statements were not
to be divulged. The Senator from
Maine had called for the light OF heaven
to shine on these transactions; now,
when the Democratic Senators say,
Turn on light" "Oh. no." says the
Senator from Maine, put Us in a dark
room and draw the curtains"
Continuing his remarks, Ransom
said: This light of heaven, the first Gre
alton of the Almighty, is the great pro.
lection OF man and it is the enemy. or
fraud and corruption. 1t is the light
which protects our homes. When the
evidence taken by this committee
should come to the Senate
let it come with no
suspicion on it. let it come 50 broad, SO
clear, that all would have to agree that
a remedy or no remedy was needed, as
the case NAV be. 1t would not be best
for the Senator from Maine or any other
Senator to make an assault upon the
Southern people. Ii there waa any
thought that anything could be said
which would provoke recriminatIon
against the North il was mistake. The
Southern people have no such purpose.
Looking toward Blaine, he said: "Sen-
ators, ii you are to have
war with us it shall be your
war, not ours" lie said: Twelve
months ago it was in the power OF the
Southern men to give this country great
trouble, but they acted patriotically.
They could have brought on revolu-
ton; they could have thrown impedi.
ment after impediment i'll the way OF
the present administration, but they did
not do it. The Southern men loved
this country; loved its peace; loved its
honor; and they expected to deserve
its blessing, and if they had the
power they would not exercise 1t over
the people of the North. The Southern
people desired to be let alone to build
up their fortunes, for they were as poor
as the sand on the sea shore. For seven
long wears he had sat here and heard
his people abused, but his duty was to
bear it. Now, when it was proposed
to indict them, they would meet their
accusers half way, and say, turn on
light" and see it all. God forbid that it
should 20 out to the balance of mankind
and 90 down the stream OF time forever
that this American Senate declared that
an investigation should not be made in
the light of day.
Mr.. Blaine, in reply, read from q
Raleigh paper to the effect that this was
a white mans government, and that
white men should rule it, but they did
not intend the negro should be deprived
Of the right of suffrage, as the South
had gained in representation on account
of such right to the negro. Continuing
his remarks, Mr.. Blaine said he indicted
the Democratic party as tho foe OF free
speech and rs a lifelong foe of free.
elections in the South. lie had heard
good deal about preventing trouble in
the seating of President Hayes, and he
desired 10 say that behind Congrees was
that same people who had expended
life without stint and money without
count, and fate of thounsand Mr..
Tildens or thousand Mr.. Hayes, they
would not have gone to war. The
Southern men in that count did but
their duty.
MIR. Ransom-Iet in the face of it
the Senator from Maine, says: Now We
will not do our duty to our fellow-citi-
Zens.
Mr.. Blaine said that il either he or the
Senator from North Carolina should
fail to do their duty they would both be
smitten with the withering condemna-
tion OF their constituents, who know
how to do SO.
After some further discussion the
amendment OF Mr.. Davis was rejected;
yeas 2S, nays ~, 4 strict party vote.
In addition to the pairs above men,
toned on the former were the follow
ing: Messrs. Grover, Johnston and
Saulsberry, who would have voted in
favor of the motion, were paired with
Messrs. Plumb, Matthews and Conover,
who would have voted against it. Pend
ing the discussion, Mr.. White said there
were other Senators who desired to
speak on this resolution, and he there
fore moved that the Senate 60 into exc
cutive session. Agreed to, and the SEN
ate after brief executive session AL
journed.