The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-03-04
JEFF DAVIS.



WASHINGTON, March s.
AT half past twelve O'Clock this morning the Sen
ate took up the bill for the payment of of
pensions, and an effort was made to receie from the
amendment placing soldiers of the Mexican and H.
dan wars on the bill. still further amendment
was offered excluding JEFF Davis from the list, and
spirited debate eDsued on this amendment.
Senator Hoar said that with regard to those who
had been engaged in the southern and been ap
pointed to office, that they had acquesed in the re-
suit OF tie war; and the people of the state he repre-
sented would always welcome those whose present
controlling feelings were love of country.
MIR. Lamar said that he must confess his surprise
and regret that the Senator from Massachusetts,
should have wantony without provocation flung this
insult
The chair (Mr. Edmunds) called the Senator 10 CT
der for this language.
Mr.. Lamar said, II suppose it is i'll order to fling
insults back out of order for those nsuted to hur
back the blow, appeal from the decision Of the
chair -
The question being taken the decis.n of the chair
was not amended, yeas 10, nays 81.
MIR. Lamar said of my language is offensive it is
Withdrawn. 1t is withdrawn. 1t is not my purpose
to offend or wound the sensbililies of any Senator"
He further said that what be meant by the remark
PeSisAe>~
Lamar) did with others who believed in the right Of
a State to secede.
Mr. Hoar, interrupting, said that he wished to as
sure the Senator that in offering this amendment he
did not place him in the same position as Jefferson
DAVIS.
Mr.. Lamar replied that the only difference between
himself and Jefferson Davis the atter's exalted
character, prominent talents, and well established
reputation statesman, patriot and soldier. Ihls
character caused him to be chosen leader OF the
southern people, who enthusiastically followed him.
Not one void has he uttered since the war nconsis-
tent with the greatness and glory of the Republic.
The name of Davis would always be honored by the
southern people In company with Hampton and
Washin .ton. To offer such an amendment required
only bitter malignant feeling and sense of personal
inpuniy.
| In conclusion Mr.. Lamar read a letter OF Daviss
saying he wished his to be no bar to the voting
of pensions to others than himself who fought in the
| Mexican war.
Mr., Blaine, alluding to the remarks of Mr.. Thur
man, asked him who brought Jefeiso Davis here
to night, and who brought him into Congress at diff
ferent times. No Republican had made reference to
him. The othe side brought him here and he asked
the Repub leans to vote remain silent. The Sena-
tor from Mississippi said Jefferson Davis had never
counselled instruction since the Why not PEN
sion man who had shown such lenity, aad that
man was brought here as the compeer of Hampton
and Washington, lighting in tie same cause, and go
ing down together to posterity.
Mr.. Lamar SAID he had stated that his own posi-
ton was that of all those who acQuesced in the re-
| snts of the
| Mr.. Blaine inquired whether he understood the
Senator to hold that the government and Republican
party were intoerent to those in the South who had
taken part in the war.
Mr.. Lamar replied that he certainly thought gov.
eminent which emancpated the servile class of the
South and excluded the southern people from share
in our government was intolerant and ungenerous
in putting them under the domination of their for
mer slaves.
| Mr.. Blaine said that the government never dis
eliminated against than fourteen thousand per-
sons in the South and there was now scarcely per
son there who not relieved of political dsabli
ties. Jefferson Davis was candidate for the office
of Senator and expected to SIT on the other side
of the Chamber. and next session the Senator from
Ohio Thnrman) would be exercising his eloquence tc
| have Mr.. Davis disabilities removed.
! MIR. Burnside spoke against giving Davis pen.
| sion.
| Mr.. Patterson said he did not propose to punish
Davis while all his followers pardoned and for
1
Mr.. Harris said if Jefferson Davis was guilty, theI
all his toll wers also guilty of offences charged
AS to the purity of honor and personal character
Davis stands the peer OF any Senator on the floor.
Mr.. Chandler said that eighteen years ago he and
JEFF Davis came into the Senate together and boil
swore to support the constitution. When Davis tool
that oath there was in his heart and perjury
| on his lip. He was surprised to hear eulogy OF
Davis as every man, woman and child in the Nortl
believed JET Davis to be double dyed traitor.
| Mr.. Coke said that MIR. Davis was not worse thar
he or many others of the Southern people who Sc
lected him leader and he was not ashamed to yot
\ for him.
| Further discussion ensued, in which Messrs. Cor
| don, Window Ransom, and Beck participated
Finally the amendment of Mr.. Hoar to exclude JEFF
| Davis from the pension as Mexican veteran, wa'
| agreed to--yeas %. nays %.