Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-03-08
JET DAVIS EXCLUDED.

y IL - 01A I'D EASL OGO,
During the session of the U. S. Senate
last Sunday night, the question being
upon Shields amendment to the Arrears
Of Pension Bill, which includes soldiers
of the Mexican war, Mitchell moved to
amend 50 that 10 person who served in
the Confederate army, or occupied civil
office under the Confederate Government,
should be entitled to pension under the
Act. The amendment was lost by a
strict party vote-24 ayes, 26 noes-ex
cept Conover and Patterson who voted
with the Democrats in the negative
Hoar then moved the following amend
ment which was adopted by vote of
ayes 80, noes %: "Providcd that no
pension shall ever be paid under this Act
to Jefferson Davis, late President Of the
so-caled Southern Confederacy." A
warm debate followed tie offering of the
above amendment, in the course Of which
Lamar, Harris, Coke, Garland and other
ex-rebes pronounced eulogies upon Da
Wis. Lamar said That the "ony differ
ence between himself and Jefferson Da-
Wis was the latter's exalted character,
prominent talents and we'll established
reputation as statesman, n patriot and
a soldier The namo Of Davis would al
ways be honored by the Southern people
in company with those of Hampton and
Washington" :" Other Democrats on the
floor of the Senate, laudcd the arch traitor
in like strains. Such utterances demand
ell reply and Zach. Chandler was fully
equal to the emergency. a Washington
correspondent Of the New York Tritunc
thus describes the scene:
No single event OF the night could com
pare in absorbing interest with the tens
minute speech made by Chandler at a
quarter to O'Clock. The hou" and the
events which Immediately preceded ii,
the man and the prominent part he had
played in the most stirring episodes in
our national history, served TO give to the
words he uttered significance out of all
comparison with the ordinary course OF
political debate. He said: "Mr. Presi-
dent: Twenty years ago |, in company
with jefferson Davis, stood up in this
chamber, with him swore by Almighty
God that | would support tho COnsiitu
ton of the United States. Jefferson
Davis came from the Cabineto OF Frank
lin Pierce into the Srnate Of the United
States, ana toolrthe oath with me to be
faithful to this Government. Daring
four years | sat in this body with Jefiar-
atti- san l. ii ,tt
from day to day for the overthrow OF This
Government. With treason in his heart
and perjury upon his lips he took the oath
to sustain the Government that he meant
to overthrow. Sir, there was method in
this madness. He, III operation with
other men from his section and in the
Cabinet of Mr.. Buchanan, made careful
preparation for the event that was to fol-
low. Your armies were scattered all
over the broad land, where they could
not be used to put down rebellion.
\ our treasury was depleted until your
bonds, bearing per cent. interest, pay
able in coin, were sold for IS cents ON the
dollar for current expenses, and no buy
ers we're found. The preparations were
carefully made. Your arms were sold
under AN apparently innocent clause in
the Amy bill providing that the Secro-
tary Of War might, in his discretion, sell
such arms rs he deemed it for tho Gov~
ernment to sell. Sir, eighteen years ago
last month | sut in this hal and heard
jefferson Davis deliver his farewell I'd
dress, informing us what our constitution
a. duties to this Government were, and !
then he left and entered into rebellion |
to overthrow the Government that he had |
sworn to serve. | remained here, sir, |
during the whole ofthis terrible rebellion.
| saw our brave soldiers by thousands, / |
might almost say mil lions, rs they pass
ed on to the theater OF war. | saw their |
shattered ranks returning. ] saw steam
boat after steam boat, and railroad train |
after railroad train, bring back the wound |
ed, | was with my friend (poinling to |
General Buruslde) when he commanded !
the army of the Potomac, and saw piles
of legs and arms that would make hu- |
manity shudder. | saw widows and or
phans made by this war. Mr. President,
| little thought at that time that should
live to hear in the Senate Of tho United
States culogies upon Jefferson Davis, a liv-
ing rebel. on the floor OF the Senate Of the
United States. Sir, am amazed to hear
it, ard can tell tho gentlemen on the
other sido that they little know the spirit
Of the North when they come here at
this day, with bravndo on their lips,
uttering eulogies upon him whom every
man, woman and child in the North be-
lieves to have bean doubly dyed traitor :"
No man vcnturcd to interrupt none felt
insulted. 1t was simply crushing.