Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-02-26
'a'he "ErrppressibIe" Again.

la the u. House of Representatives ycatcr-
Day,
MIR. Joyce, of Vermont. opposed the bill
granting pensions to soldiers OF the Mexican
war, because it proposed to reward people WHO
had conc into rebellion. lie objected TO 1t
mainly for this reason. lie would only reward
men who had been loyal to the flag and had
defended the country at all times. lie would
therefore offer an amendment at the proper
time, giving pensions to all except those who
had aided aud allotted the rcbelIloo. lie re
gardcd this bill as but au opening o! the door,
an enterirg wedge to the dcmanA for the pay
mens of other claims 10 the South, and that
vas 40 additional reason for opposing the bill.
lie was not yet prepared to blot out all dis
tnctiOns between loyalty and dIsloyelty. lie
admitted the bravery of the Southern men who
fought 10 Mexico, but by their subsequent re-
bcIl!on and treason they had forfeited all claims
to the consideration OF the Government. IN
der this bill even jeff Davis might obtain
pension. This bill would break down the last
barrier between treason and loyalty. lie was
10 favor OF peace aud reconciliation. but the
South seemed wiling to accept it only upon
such conditions as they themselves prescribed.
lie then went on 10 declare that the whole
purpose of the South was to regain possession
OF the Government. lie reviewed the course
Of the South siocc the withdrawal the troops,
and denounced the proceedings there. The
conviction Ct Anderson he declared to be one
of the greatest outrage5 that had ever been
pcrpctrated uuder the color OF law. lie relt-
Grated his opposition to the bill, because it
opened the door TO tho p1nslonlng OF those who
had been in tho rebellion.
Mr. Goode Was surprised at the extraordinary
speech of the gentleman from Vermont. 1t
vgss printed speech, and could not therefore
be accepted as temporary ebulitlon OF passion,
bu. WAS we'll considered effort. AS the gentle
man was speaking he felt like cxclaining. will
this cruel war never b. over? He WAS surpris-
ed that he should take the ground lhst southern
veterans should not be paid because they had
participated in rebellion. He did not suppose
there was \ gentleman on the tloor who would
attempt to visit thst punishment upon tha Ve-
tnranS The wa had been over thirteen years,
and if the emergency III ould over again arise
the southern men would not be behind the
constituents Of the gentleman from Vermont, Us
they were not behind them in Mexico. Many
Of these men were reduced IN fortune They
need tho pittanca proposed by this Dill, ana
whom they asked for il shall this groht govern
mant say to them, we will repudiate the debt
because you responded to tho highest instincts
OF humanity and stood with your klth and KIN
in tho most gigantic civil war the world ever
SAW? He did not believe there was another
man on the floor who agreed with Mr.. Joyce
Il @ stood alone.
Seversl republicans cried out that they agreed
with him.
Mr.. Joyce said he was content to stand alone,
and would stand there, believing no was right.
Mr.. Goode-I hope you will stand alone for
ever. (Applause on the democratic sido; whilo
several democrats called out that his country
would be ashamed Of him.
Amid tho confusion, several voices inquired
where Mr.. Joyce WAS in the late war.
MIR. Townsend On. ~ replied excitedly Tor
army, and YVES standing in front OF the gentle
man on the other side.
MIR. Goode doubted whether the gentleman
from Now York himself would consent to de-
privo these veterans of their pi!tance. no be-
lieved he would do an act of justice 10 them.
He then went on to sguo the justice of tho pro-
20: ed payment.