Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-13
Jefferson Davis.
Was He AN ESExY? WHAT THE SOUTHERN
SENATOR'S THINK OF HIM.

Was He AN ESENY? WHAT THE SOUTHERN
SENATORS THINK OF HIM.
The following extracts from the the speech
- Of Southern senators on the amendment
Of Mr.. Hoar, excluding the name Of Jefer-
son Davis from the pension-roll in case pen
siens should be granted to the survivors OF
the Mexican war, will be read with interest
We give them in the order of their delivery
Mr.. Garland of Arkansas said =
So far As Mr.. Davis is concerned, | do not
suppose he wants q pension. | do not sup.
pose he ever thought of it moment. As
one who served with him in a civil capacity
in the late war, wish had the power and
the authority now, but have not, although |
know it would accord with every impulse of
his heart, to enter here upon the record be-
fore the people of the country receipt in tull
10 the Senator from Massachusetts, and all
others who occupy the same position toward
that distinguished gentleman He would
scorn it If rendered grudgingly. He does not
ask it, and he would not receive it unless Civ
en- freely and in the spirit it is bestowed upon
others. He was a gallant soldier in that war
His services are upon the record of his coun-
try, and while they may not surpass, yet they
will equal in history all Grecian fame and all
Roman glory.
Mr.. Maxey of Texas condensed his COM
pliment into = single sentence -
leave this question not here, but leave
II TO the men who followed the flag of the
Union in those wars. Let them saw whether
this battle-scarred, knightly gentleman, who
10 now tottering on the brink of the grave.
whose white hair blossoms fer the better land
which is soon to be his home, shall have this
stigma placed upon him.
Mr.. Lamar's speech has been printed in
full, but the following will bear repetition -
The Senator, it pains me to say it, not on
ly introduced this amendment, but he coupled
that honored name with treason; for, sir, he
10 honored among the Southern people. He
DID only what they sought to do; he was sim
ply chosen to lead them in a cause which we
All cherished, and his name will continue to
be honored for his participation in that great
movement which inspired an entire people
Who we're animated by motives as sacred and
noble ~ ever inspired the breast of a Hamp-
den or q Washington. | say this as a Union
man to-day.
Mr.. Harris af Tennessee, who was govern
or Of that State while the rebellion was ma
turing, said =
shall vote against the amendment, and am
resolved that neither my vote nor my silence
shall cast stigma upon the name of Jeffer
son Davis. have known him long and
know him WELL and take pleasure in saving
that, broken in fortune and in health as he is
IN all the elements of true manhood, talent
astainments and purity Of personal character
ne stands to-day, and proudly stands, the peel
OF any senator upon this floor
Mr.. Gordon Of Georgia took the PROPOSE
tion Is an affront to himself
The senator from Massachusetts. who ba.
offered this amendment excluding Mr.. Dayi,
from participation with all the other soldier.
who contributed blood or services TO give vic
tory 10 American arms in Mexico must hay,
taxed his ingenuity to place Southern me,
upon this floor in an attitude most disagree
able. He knows full well that our self-respec
must Of necessity rebel at the thought 0
voting for such an amendment He know
full we'll that vote by us TO exclude Mr.
Davis is TO place brand upon our own fore
heads and upon those who fought or fell will
% ID the late war. He knows that whateve
poison 10 carried TO the breast of Mr.. Davi
BY this Parthian arrow, sent back from re
Gently defeated republican ranks, must O
necessity And Judgment in the breast Of ever,
man At the South whose sensibilities are capa
bic Of . wound.