The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-03-12

MAxEY AND COKE OF TExAs--THE ARREAR:
OF PENSION.
The Senate took up the motion heretofore
made 70 reconsider the vote by which the bill
making appropriations to pay arrears OF pen
sions was passed.
Mr.. Window said that when the bill was
before them the 2Sth of February many
Senators good-naturedly voted for the amend
ment OF Mr.. Shields, placing the soldiers and
sailors of the Mexican the same foot
ing as the soldiers and sailors of the war of
1872, as to pensions. The best estimate he
could obtain showed that this little amend
ment so generously adopted would take from
$50 100000 to $40, 900, 900 out of the Treasury
| The subject of such a munificent donation
could be considered in a separate bill.
Mr.. Thurman said he had voted for that
amendment because he was instructed to do
so by the Legislature of Ohio and because he
thought IT was right. The soldiers and
| sailors of the Mexican war gave to this coun-
try an empire OF territory the value of which
could not be estimated.
| Mr.. Hoar offered amendment namely
| Provided that no pension shall ever be paid
under this act to Jefferson Davis, late Presi-
dent of the so-called Southern Confederacv
| OF the Republic to-day. 1t was now pro-
posed to put the name of this person, whose
treason had not been repented Of on the pen
sion rolls OF the country and tax loyal wild
/ OHs anu OF pIidLS 10 pay the pension.
| Mr.. Garland said the Government pensions
| Gen. Longstreet by small postofice in Geo
| gla. A Republican administration sent Gov.
| Orr Minister to Russia and Gen Mosby
who boosted he was Marion in the second
war, to China, as a Consul, he felt satisfied
| that Jefferson Davis would scorn a pension.
| That gentleman did not ask it, He had
| served under Davis in a civil capacity and
| Davis a gallant soldier in the Mexican
war. His services were on record, and al
though they did not surpass they equalled
| those OF Greece and Rome.
Mr.. Shields thought that by singing out
Jefferson Davis from 100000 people in the
South was giving him distinction greater than
| he deserved
Mr.. Bailey said the country was to-day
longing and wishing for peace, and he APP
pealed 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 in
dustries
Mr.. Maxey briefly spoke of the services
rendered by Mr.. Davis in the Mexican war,
and said he would leave it for those who
fought with him to pass judgment on the
| amendment of the Senator from Massachu-
sets.
Mr. Thurman said the amendment asked
him to single out Jefferson Davis for punish
ment, when other men who went as far he
did were not only not punished, but have been
appointed to the highest stations in the Gov
eminent, and in this connection he might men,
ton the names of Alderman, formerly United
States Attorney General; the present Post
Master General Key; Gen. LOngstreet, Post
master at GAINESVILLE; Mosby, of guerilla fame,
all, and many others of the same class, being
appointed by the Republican administration
he saw on the bench men who were Just as
guilty Jefferson Davis. The proposition
before them came from the Senator of the
State of Massachusetts, whose treason had
hnpu Tola han, 9TH
State in the Union.
MIR. Thurman did not want to pick out JEFF
ferson Davis martyr, when all others
who acted with him walked the earth unchaI-
lenged
Mr. Hoar said with regard to those who had
been engaged in the Southern cause and APP
pointed to office, that they had acquiesced in
the results OF the war, and the people OF the
State he represented would always welcome
those whose present controlling feelings were
love of country
Mr.. Lamar said he must confess his surprise
and regret that the Senator from Massachu-
sets should have wantonly, and without prov
ocation, flung this insult
The Chair Mr.. Edmunds) called Senator
Lamar to order for this language.
Mr.. Lamar. l suppose it is in order to
fling insults, but out of order for those who are
insulted to hurl back the blow / appeal
from the decision of the Chair.
The question being taken, the decision of the
Chair was overruled-yeas 10, nays q.
Mr.. Lamar, thus being declared in order,
said that if his language was offensive or ex-
ceptional it was Withdrawn for it was not his
purpose to offend or wound the sensibilities of
any of his associates on this floor, and what
he meant by his remark was that Jefferson
Davis stood in the same position that he La
mar did with the others who believed in the
right of a State to secede.
Mr.. Hoar (interrupting) said he wished to
assure the Senator that in offering the amend
ment he did not place him in the same posi-
ton as Jefferson Davis.
Mr. Lamar replied that the only difference
between himself and Jefferson Davis the
latter's exhalted character, prominent talents
| and we'll established reputation as a statesman
and patriot and soldier. This character of Mr..
Davis caused him to be chosen leader of the
Southern people, who enthusiastically followed
him. Not one word has he uttered since the
close of the inconsistent with the greatness
and glory of the Republic. The Senator could
point to no utterance which advised the people
of the South to cherish animOsity or hostility
to the Union nor did he cherish luminosity or
hostility to the Union, nor did he cherish hos
tility himself. The name of Davis would al
ways be honored by the Southern people, lin
company with those of Hampton and Wash
ington, and to offer such amendment re-
quired no courage OF magnanlmity. 1t requir-
ed no courtesy, but only bitter and malignant
feeling and sense of personal impunity. In
CONCLUSION, ne cduSeQ 10 DC EcdO l0lIST OF
Jefferson Davis to a Representative, in which
the writer said he wished his name would be
no bar to their voting pensions To others than
himself who fought in the Mexican war.
Mr.. Blaine, alluding to the remarks previ-
ously made by Mr.. Thurman, asked him who
brought Jefferson Davis here tonight, and who
had brought him into Congress at different
times? No Republican had made reference 10
him. The other side had brought him here
and asked the Republicans to vote or remain
silent. The Senator from Mississippi said that |
Jefferson Davis had never counseled insurrec-
ton since the close of the war; why not pen
sion man who had shown such leniency
And that man was brought here as the COM
peer of Hampton and Washington, fighting in
the same cause and going down together to
posteEity.
Mr. Lamar, in reply to Mr. Blaine, said he
had stated that his own position was that of
one who acquiesced in the results of the war.
Mr.. Blaine inquired whether he understood
the Senator to hold that the Government and
Republican party were intolerant to those in
the South who had taken part in the war?
Mr. Lamar replied that he certainly thought
that Government which emancipated several
classes of the South and excluded the South
ern people from a share in their own govern
menf was intelerant and ungenerous in putting
them under the dominion OF their former
slaves.
Nj. Blaine said the Government never dis
eliminated against more than Il 900 persons |
in the South, and that there was now scarcely
person there that was not relieved of his polit-
cal disabilities Jefferson Davis 4 cam
didate for the Office of Senator, and expected
to sit ON the other side of the chamber, and
next session the Senator from Ohio thurman
would Re exercising his eloquence to have Mr..
Davis disabilities removed.
Mr. Patterson did not propose to punish
Jefferson Davis while all OF his followers had
been pardoned.
Mr.. Harris said thatsif Jefferson Davis was
nnr;Itrr then he. and all who fnlloWed Mr.. Da-