The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-03-05
A TILT IN THE SENATE.

moments parley.
ATILT IN THE SENATE.
statute Against the AppOin tinent of
Ex.fsebels In the Army.
The most excited debate of the session
occurred in the senate, on Wednesday,
over bill to repeal section 1918 of the
revised statutes, which forbid the ap-
pointment to the army of any person
who served in the rebellion. The aues-
ton being on the passage OF the bill.
Edmunds said
"We have now this question presented
upon perfectly fair grounds. No special
Legislation to provide for favorites of
particular men, but broad principles.
He then went on to say that the object of
the bill vas not to affect young men,
unless boys twelve years old were enlist
ed i'll the Confederate army. Senators
would see by figuring it up that the sole
purpose and effect Of the repeal was to re-
store to the United States army among
others the very men who deserted it to
make war against the flag they had been
what it comes to.
Thurman-With great Difference to
my friend, l say it comes to 10 such
thing, and that it is mere ghost that is
fitting before his eyes when he sees any
such vision. / did suppose that the
people of this country had the right to
the services Of every able-bodied man in
time of war, and that if We should get
into war again-and no country can say
ii will always be Mt peace-we have the
right to the services Of the men who were
lately i'll the Confederacy. did suppose
II long enough time had elapsed to quiet
the fears of anybody who is not harassed
with nervousness that God forbid
should ever harass me, about the loyalty
of the people of the south. How can
any Of these men get appoint
ments i'll the army? Only by IA
nomination by the president and
confirmation by the senate. Who are
likely to get positions? Certain
ly not old men, certainly not
men who are averaging on the three
score year sand ten. Who are likely to
be needed Ill case we should go into war
again? Not those alluded to by the SEN
ator from Vermont, who left our own
army and went into the Confederate SER
vice; but there are men Of military talent
and experience who are as ready to serve
now under the Star Spangled Banner rs
any men between here and Canada, and
We are asked to brand them, for which
there il no political or any other neces-
sity. | am not afraid of the northern
people on the subject. The northern
people, majority of them, want to bury
the hatred of the war. They want
peace; they want fraternity once more;
and they do not want to reject the ser
vice of any competent and now loyal man
by inquiring whether or not he did not
some time or other bear a musket in the
Confederate army.
Logan called attention to the fact that
congress had several times of late autho-
rized appointments in the army, i'll order
to be placed on the retired list, of per-
sons who resigned at the beginning of
the war in order to keep out OF the war.
Under this bill any person in the Con-
federate army could be appointed in the
army. He denounced the injustice of
such proceedings. II claim" he con-
tinued, "here, in the presence OF sena-
tors for whom / have high respect, some
of whom fought on the other side from
mine i'll the late contest-I say there
should he distinction made i'll our army
to-day, in time of peace, between those
who fought for the Union and those who
fought to destroyit. have always MAIN
tanned that, and l ever shall maintain,
not because I have feelings of luminosity
against those men-no such thing. They
may have been misguided or not. That
is not the question. They were found
in certain position, against the govern
ment. Being found there they are not
entitled again to wear the uniform of
this country and draw it's sword, to the
preference OF the men who have always
been faithful to it. Now, sir, in time of
war the senator from Ohio (Thurman)
asks If we would not allow these men to
fight. Sufficient unto the day il the
evil thereof When war comes, We will
consider the question, but in time OF
peace, say, without giving any opinion
as to the future, would not place men
in the army-by the side of men who
struggled for the existence of this gov
ernment-those who fought for its de-
struction. l would not do it, ! never
will do it."
A colloquy followed between Thurman
and Logan, at the conclusion of which
Mr.. Edmunds again spoke, saying: 81
wish to say to the senator from Ohio
(Thurman) That he is greatly mistaken
when in this and other like discussions he
uses the word hatred apparently I'M
putting to gentlemen who differ with him
in opinion as sentiment of anlmOsity to
our colleagues on the other side, and
their friends, who, as we think, contrary
to the constitution and in violation OF
their duty to it, went into rebellion.
Now, want to state that any man, north
or south, who imputes to any Republi-
can, anywhere, that 1 ever heard of, any
such sentiment Of hatred or animosity
makes great mistake. 1t is not true.
We are only, when we oppose these meas.
ures, doing what we consider to he neces-
sary for the security and good order OF
the whole Union, and it isnot hatred, ami.
mostly or prejudice against these gentle
men. We have labored under the i'm.
preston that in every controversy there
must be right side and Il wrong side,
and the delusion that we are under Ii
evidently that we are on the right side Of
that controversy which prevailed, and
that the consequences that followed
from being on the right side are those
which the senator's desire that those
who turned ont to he on the wrong side
shall reap and not those on the right
side,
The matter then went over without q
vote