Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-04
FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
Senate.

the Sabbath, proceedings of which were giye1
in the GLOBE of Monday up to O. clock of tha
morning.i
WASHINGTON, March, 3.-The question recurring
on Senator Shields amendment Senator Mitch
ell moved to amend so that no person who
served in the confederate army or occupied
civil office under the confederate government
shall be entitled to a pension under this act
Disagreed to, ayes "a, nays ga party vote
with the exception of Conover and Patterson,
who voted with the Democrats in the mega
tive.
Senator Hoar offered an amendment, name
ly, provided that pension shall ever be paid
under this act to Jefferson Davis, late President
of the so-called Southern confederacy Senator
aoar said Davis spurned the ciemenoy of the
republic to-day. 1t was now proposed to put
the name of this person, whose
treason had not been repeated Of on the pen
sion rolls of the country, and to tax the loyal
widows and orphans to pay the pension.
Senator Garland said the government pen
slons Lougstreet by small postoffce in Geor-
gla. A Republican administration sent Judge
Ortiz, minister to Russia, and Mosby, who
boosted he was the Marion in the second war,
to China as consul. He felt satisfied that
Jefferson Davis would scorn pension That
gentleman did not ask it. He had served under
Davis IN a civil capacity. Davis was gallant
soldier in the Mexican war. His services were
j.,
they equaled those of Greece and Rome.
Senator Shields thought that by singing out
jefferson Davis from ten million people in the
South. was giving him distinction greater
than he deserved.
Senator Bailey said the country was to-day
longing and wishing. for peace and he appealed
to Senators on the other side to do nothing to
prevent it. The people of the South, having
lost all IN the war, were poor and they desired
to restore their industries.
Senator Ma1ey sbriehy spoke of the services
rendered by Davis in the Mexican war
and said he would leave it for those who fought
with him to pass jud gment on the amendment
OF the Senator from Massachusetts,.
Senator Thurman said the amendment asked
him to single out Jefferson Davis for punish
ment when other men who went IS far as he
did were not only not punished but have been
appointed to the highest stations in tho gov
eminent, and in this connection he might men,
ton the names of Alderman, formerly United
States attorney general, the present postmaster
Key, General Longstreet, postmaster at Gaines
vile, Mosby, of guerrilla fame, all and many
Others of this same class being appointed by
Republican administration. He saw on the
bench. too, men who We're actively engaged in
the confederate service, who guilty as
Jefferson Davis.
The proposition before them came from
the Senator OF the State of Massachusetts,
whose treason had been more violent and longer
man, did not want to pick out Jefferson Davis
as a martyr. when all others who had acted with
him walk the earth unchallenged.
Senator Hoar said: With regard to those who
had been engaged in the Southern cause, and
been appointed to Office, that they had acqui-
esced in the results of the war, and the people
Of the State he represented would always well
come those whose present controlling feelings
were love of country.
Senator Lamar said he must confess his sur
l, 49, e
chusetts should have wantonly, without provo
cation, flung this insult.
The chair, Senator Edmunds, called the Sen
ator to order for his language.
Senator LAMAR suppose it is in order to
Ting insults but out OF order for those who are
lnsu!ted to hurl back the blow. Iappcal from
the decision of the chair.
The question being taken, the decision of the
ChaIr was Overruled-yeas Is, nays n.
Senator Lamar, this being declared in order,
said shat if his language offensive or ex-
ceptional it was withdrawn, for it was not his
purpose to offend or wound the sensibilities of
any of his associates the floor. What he
meant by his remark was that Jefferson Davis
stood IN the position he CLamar) did with
Others who believed in the right of a State to
5cceie.
Senator Hoar, interruptng, said he wished to
assure the Senator that in offering his amend
meut he did not place him in the same position
as Jefferson Davis.
Senator Lamar replied that the only differ
ence between himself and Jefferson Davis was
the !atters exalted character prominent title
and we'll established reputation as Statesman
and 4 soldier. This character of Davis caused
him to be chosen the leader of tne Southern
people, who enthusiastically followed him.
Not word has he uttered since the close of
the war inconsistent with the greatness and
glory of the republic. The Senator could point
to no utterance which advised the people of
f0 ricl
hostility 10 the union, nor did he cherish
hostility himself. The name of Davis would
al faIs be honored by the Southern people, in
company With those Of Hampton and Wash
lngton. TO offer such al amendment required
no courage or magnanlmity. 1t required no
courtesy, but only bitter malignant feeling
In conclusion he caused to be read letter of
Jefferson Davis to a Representative, in which
the writer said he wished his name would be
no bar to voting pensions to others than him
self who foug ht in the Mexican war.
Senator Blaine, referring to the remarks
previously made by Senator Thurman, asked
him who brought Jefferson Davis here tonight
and who brought him into Congress at diff
ferent times. No Republican had made
reference to him. The other side had brought
him here, and asked the Republicans to vote or
remain silent.
fne Senator from Mississippi said Jefferson
Davis had never counsclled instruction since
the Gloss of the war. Why not pension man
who had such lenity, and that man was brought
here as cOmpeer of Hampton and Washing
ton fl 5htiug in the same cause and going down
together to posterity.
senator Lamar, i'll reply to Senator Blaine,
said he had stated that his own position was
that of u man who acquiesced in the results of
the war.
Senator Blaine inquired whether he under
stood the Senator to holl that the government
and Republican party were intelerant to those
IN the South who had taken part in the war.
Senator Lamar replied he certainly thought
that tic government which emancpated the
serVIte class OF the South and excluded the
SOuhu2rn people from share in their own gov
ernmsnt was lntolerant and ungenerous in put
ting ttlem under the domination of their former
slaves.
Senator Blaine said the government never
Disseminated against more than II, 900 persons
in the South and thero was scarcely a person
there who was rot relieved of his political
disabilities. jefferson Davis was Candidate
for the office of Senator and next season the
Senator from Ohio, Thurman, would be exer-
cising his eloquence to have Davis disabilities
removed.
Senator Patterson did not propose to punish
Jefferson Davis while all his followers had been
pareSoueti.
Senator Harris said if Jefferson Davis was
guilty then he and all who followed Davis were
guilty Of the offenses charged as to purity,
honor and personal character. Davis stands the
peer Of any Senator this floor. s4sa
Senator Wallace, in a few brief remarks, in
sisted that the introduction Of the SUI ect came
from the Republican side of the chamber.
i Senator Chandler said that eighteen years