New-York tribune., 1880-02-07
FNOUGH OF EUPHEMISMS.
Ex-REBELs REMINDED THAT TIME HAS No
surTENED THE MEMORY OF THEIR CRIME.

FL
Ex-gEBELs REMINDED THAT TIME HAS NOT
suFTENED THE MEMORY OF THEIR CRIME.
[sY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, Feb6.-There was imminent danger
for little while to-day in the House that some OF
the hotheads among the Democrats would break
the leash in which they have been held by the more
prudent leaders of their party since this session be-
oan. and that they woula shout in full chorus to
eorfy rebellion and applaud treason In the recent
pettions accompanying the bills for the removal oil
the political disabilities of persons who. after taking
an oath to support the Constitution and Govern
ment of the United States have engaged in rebel
lion there has been noticeable estendency TO aVoiu
heuse of harsh terms by the petitioners for the Glenn
enoy of the Government. The rebel army has been
transformed in the confederate" army or service.
and the Rebellion has been styled "a war between
the States.n There are still some men in Congress
TO whom these euphemisms arc distasteful bill
was brought in this morning to remove the political
disabilities of an ex-naval officer who is citizen OF
Vrginia-John Owens.
The netltion is rather unique and reads thus " |
respectfully represent that on the 7th day OF March,
1912 entered the United States Army as a war
rant officer and gunner and resigned on the lVth
day of April 1861, to enter the Confederate service
i now respectfully ask that my political disabilities
be removed by your honorable body"
Mr. Conger at once objected TO the bill because
the petition referred to the as the Confederacy
He believed it was known as the War of the Rebel
lion These and other similar harsh remarks made by
Mr.. Conger fred the Southern blood of Mr.. Goode
who sprang TO his feet 10 reply. of" said he, 1.-The
gentleman from Michigan will pay attention to the
language of the petition, he will see. that while 1t
contains only four lines, the word respectful occurs
In il three times. 1t is impossible for any citizen to
make a more respectful application to this House
than is contained in that petition"
Mr.. Conger retorted that, though the word might
be there often enough 1T was not respectful to call
the Rebellion " a war between the States"
To this Mr. Goode rotorted in these words: 81
submit to the gentleman there is nothing in the
Fourteenth Amendment that requires any petition.
The Fourteenth Amendment Of the Constitution of
tie United States disqualiies certain classes and
provides that tEey may be relieved of their dIsabi-
ties by n third vote OF each House. submit
further to the gentleman that while 1t has been the
practice of Congress to require each person desiring
The removal of his disabilities to make an applica-
tOn in respectful TERMS heretofore no form OF pet-
ton has ever been prescribed | undertake TO say
that the gentleman cannot recall an instance where
a respectful application like this has been rejected
1t does seem to be too late in the day-tifeen years
since the termination of the war. to take anew de-
Darture like this and require man. before Will
entertain his application at all, TO come here and
humble himself as is required 10y the gentleman
from Michigan. by writing the word traitor with
his own hand upon his own brow, and to get down,
as IL were into the dust and with his hand on his
mouth and his mouth in the dust, cry. uneiean
before great Government like this will consider his
petition at ALL" . ~,
TO ali bills like it, was that there a constantly
increasing tendency to ignore the war; or ateast 70
call it by smooth sounding and uncol0red names III
WAS he said war Of treason, rebellion an lnsur-
JeciiOn, and not late unpleasantneSs" merely
The bill was passed.