The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-02-26

WASHINGTON, February %, 1850.
SENATE


Mr.. Withers, Of Virginia, presented a
! Joint resolution Of the Virginia Legislature
asking a grant OF land for educational pur-
poses.
Mr.. Whyte asked unanimous consent to
have the bin relieving the disabilities Of
James NJ. Heiskell, an eX-Confederate SOL
OF der Baltimore, taken up.
Mr.. Edmunds asked why not try to pass
in the place OF this bill the one introduced
by Mr. Mcdonald repeating altogether the
law which imposed disabilities for service
under the COnfederacy [>ection 1918, Re-
yiSed Statutes].
Mr. Bayard thought that, independently
! OF the question OF the entire repeal OF the
statute, the present case was one OF indi-
vidual eXigency, for the reason that HeiS.
kell was a mere boy, under ase, during his
whole service under the COnfederacy. He
thought all the youth OF the country who
| had taken unWisP or unpatriOtic steps
should be encouraged to come back and
heIp to make this Government what all wish
| il TO be--a Government testing III tue hearts
of the people.
| Mr.. Edmunds spoke at length in OPPOSE
ton to the bill, saying In substance that the
time seems TO be approaching when not
only all laws to support The war for the
Union, and to protect the rights OF the pe0-
pie preserved by the Union, but every bull
wark OF liberty under law and secured by
law, Is to be swept away, leaving TO what
is called State sovereignty " the~lives, for
tunes, and safety OF citizens; leaving to the
State courts the power TO decide that the
support OF the State, not under but against
the Constitution, shall 90 so far as TO give
her courts and her laws jurisdiction in mat
| tiers Of national concern and in cases arising
under the national Constitution. " The
day for the accomplishment OF this end"
he said " has apparently been fastening.
W hether it is Il day that will hasten peace,
good order, and fraternity Is an open ques-
ton. don't think it isl
Mr.. Whyte, speaking in support OF the
biN. said Hesktll was born in Virginia,
was great-grandson Of President Monroe,
and dis fatker rendered distinguished SER
vices 20 the United States in the capacity OF
surgenn-general of the army. Heiskell had
since The wT been resident of Maryland,
and had been faithful 10 every obligation
required by the Constitution and laws. He
(Whyte) thought the bill should pass.
Mr.. Garland thought it was high true
that section 1918 was repealed, aud proposed
10 amend the bill by striking out ali after
toe enacting clause and inserting "tbat see
tlVu ITO vi tue htNI>tu ctdtutCo Dc, anu
the same is hereby, repealed"
TIE amendment was agreed to, and the
question then being on the third reading
Of the bill, it was determined in the affirma-
tive-yeas, SO; nays, 80; strict party |
vote, the Democrats voting " YET" and the |
Republicans ''Nay".
A long discussion. in which Senators Ed |
muuds, Logan and Thurman, participated, |
then ensued upon the merits OF the bill As
amended. Dir. Edmunds said the effect Of
The repeal of the statute would be to re-
store TO the army the very mrn who de-
serted 1t TO make war against the flag
hey had sworn TO support.
Mr.. Thurman urged that in case Of a for
eign war the Government had a right TO
Tue services of men who were lately in the
COnfederacy. Il did suppose" he said,
i that q Iong-enough time had elapsed to
quiet the fears OF anybody who is not ha-
'assed with nervousness that God forbid
h0ud ever barass me about the loyalty OF
he people OF the South. AS to the people
II the NORTH, they want peace. They want
fraternity once more, and they do not want
o remit the service of any compe cot aud
low loyal man by inqairiEg whether he did
,r did not az some time bear u musket in
nc Confederate service"
Pending further discussion the morning
'our expired, aud the bill went over with
ut action.
The Senate then resumed the discussion