Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-03-11
PENSloNING JEFF DAVIS.
PATRIOTIC AND roINTEp SPEECH OF hon.
ZACH. CHANDLER ~ OPPOSITION TO I'M
INIQUITOU> MEASURE.

PATRIOTIC AND POINTED SrLECH OF hon
ZACH. CHANDLER ~ OPPOSITION TO I'M
IMQUIToU> MEASURE.
The Democrats OF the last Congress
were Contcdcatcs, to the last moments Of
the session. \ bill was introduced to
pension veterans OF the Mexican war, for
the seeming purpose Of extending govern
ment AID TO jeff Davis, who served IN
that war. The opposition to this measure
was very bitter, and called out many Of
those sectional feelings which have been
so often raked up during the past year
Senator Chandler. one OF the "stalwart
which means patriotic, Republican Sen
ators. made a speech Of about ten min
utcs' duration. which was one Of the most
scathing reviews of Dayiss career that
could have been presented Mr.. Chand-
ler's association with Davis. and the diff
fercnt courses pursued by the two men,
make his remarks of more than usual
interest He said;
w. PnSij,W.-Tweuty years AGO, |, in
company with Mr.. jefferson Davis. stood
up in this chamber and. with him. >worc
hv Almighty God that | would support the
Constitution OF the United States. Jefic,-
son Davis came from the Cabinet Of Frank
lin Pierce into the Senate OF the United
states AMI took the oath with me To he
faithful 10 this Government. During four
years | sat in this body with Jefferson Da-
Wis and saw the preparations going on from
dav 10 DAY for the overthrow of this Gov
ernmcut With treason IN his heart and
perjury upon his lips, he took the oath 10
sustain the Government that he meant to
overthrow.
Sir, there was method in this madness.
He I'm cooperation with other men from his
section and ia the Cabinet of MIR. Buchan-
an made careful preparation for the event
that WAS 10 follow. Your armies were
scattered all over this broad land where
they could not bee used i'm an emergency.
Your fleets were scattered wherever the
wiuds blew and water wa, found to float
them. where they could not be used 10 put
down = rebellion. Your Treasury WAS de-
pieted until your bonds bearing g per cent
interest. payable i'm coin, were sold for -
cents on the dollar for current expenses
and no BUYERS were found Preparations
were carefully made. Your arms were sold
under an apparently innocent clause in an
army bill providing that the Secretary OF
| War might in his discretion sell such arms
as he deemed lit for the Government to
sell.
Sir. eighteen years ago last month | sat
/ in this hall and listened TO Jefferson Davis
delivering al, farewell address, informing
u what our constitutional duties to this
| Government were and then he left and en-
tered into a rebellion 10 overthrow the
/ Government that he had sworn 10 serve.
| | remained here. sir, during the whole OF
/ that terrible rebellion. | saw our brave
soldiers by thousands might almost say
millionS-a> they passed on To the theatre
of the war saw their shattered ranks
returning | saw steamboat after steam
/ boat and railroad train ater railroad train
/ bringing back the wounded | was with
my friend pointing to General Burnside)
when he commanded the Army Of the Po-
tomac, and saw piles of legs aud arms that
would make humanity Shudder. | saw the
widows and orphans made by this war
Mr. President, | little thought at that
time that l should live 10 hear in the Sen
ate of the United States eulogles upon