Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-03-10
A PENSION FOR JEFF. DAVIS.

A PENSlON FOK JEFF. DA Wis.
An attempt was made during the last
few days of the late congress to incorpo-
rate clause in the Arrears of Pensions
Bill, by which old Mexican war pension
ers should greatly profit, and Senator
Hoar proposed to amend the bill so that
JEFF. Davis should not draw pension
from the United States. This occasioned
q fierce political debate in which South
ern Senators eulogized Davis in most
glowing terms. boasting that themselves
had done all they could toward the sue
cess of the rebellion, and that the name
Of Davis would 60 down to posterity with
that of Washington, and other revered
men. At length the republicans were
aroused, and there was one of the sharp
est political debates seen since the days
of secession. A writer who was present
closes his account of the scene as fol-
lows:
No single event of the night, however,
could compare in absorbing interest with
the ten-minute speech made by Senator
Chandler at quarter to 3 o'clock. The
hour and the events which Immediately
preceded 1.-THE man and the prominent
part he had played in the most stirring
episodes in our National history-served
to give to the words he uttered sig
ni6cance cut of all comparison with the
ordinary course of political debate. He
said:
Mr.. President: Twenty years ago.
l, in company with Jefferson Davis,
stood up in this chamber, and, with him,
swOre by Almighty God that l would
support the Constitution of the United
States. Jefferson Davis came from the
Cabinet of Franklin Pierce into the SEN
ate Of the United States and took the
oath with me to be faithful to this Gov
eminent. During four years l sat in
this body with Jefferson Davis and saw
the preparations going on from day to
day for the overthrow of this Govern.
ment. With treason in his heart and
perjury upon his lips, he took the oath
to sustain the Government that he meant
to overthrow.
Sir, there was method in this madness
He in cooperation with other men from
his section and in the Cabinet of Mr.
Buchanan made careful preparation fo
the event that was to follow. Your ar
mics were scattered all over this broaC
land, where they could not be used il
an emergency. Your fleets were scat
tered wherever the winds blew and waite
was found to float them, where they coulC
not be used to put down rebellion. You
Treasury was depleted until your bond
bearing 6 per cent interest, payable il
coin, were sold for SO cents on the dol
lar for current expenses and no buyer
were found. Preparations we're CAREFUL
made. Your arms were sold under al
apparently innocent clause in an arm
bill providing that the Secretary of Wa
might in his discretion sell such arms a
he deemed fit for the Government to sell
Sir, eighteen years ago last month
sat in this hall and listened to. Jefferso
Davis delivering his farewell addres:
informing us what our constitutions
duties to this Government were, an
then he left and entered into rebellio
to overthrow the Government that
had sworn to serve.
l remained here, sir, during the Who'll
of that terrible rebellion. l saw GU
brave soldiers by thousands Nigh
almost say millions-as they passed o
to the theatre of the war. | saw thei
shattered ranks returning. saw steam
boat after steamboat and railroad trai
after railroad train bringing back th
wounded. l was with my friend (poin
ing to General Burnside) when he con
manded the Army of the Potomac, an
saw piles of legs and arms that woul
make humanity shudder. l saw ii
widows and orphans made by this wa
MIR. President, I little thought at tn;
time that | should live to hear in IL
Senate Of the United States eulogi
upon Jefferson Davis living-a livir
REBELLION the floor of the Senate of Il
United States. Sir. l am amazed
hear it, and can tell the gentlemen
the other side that they little know Il
spirit of the North when they come he
at this day with bravado on their liz
uttering eulOgies upon him whom eve
man. woman and child in the North /
lieves to have been double.dyed tr;
tor.
No man ventured to interrupt; no
felt insulted. 1t was simply crushir
1t is needless to add that JEFF. did I
get his pension.