Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-02-28
FITZ-JOHN PORTER.
SPEECH OF
Hon. A. G.. CURTIN,
IN THE HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,,
Friday, February Isl, 1854.


Mr.. CURTIN said:
Mr.. SPEAKER: am quite sure that
can sav nothing that is new on this
very important question, which IN.
wolves the citizenship and the honor OF
IN American soldier. Yet from my
knowledge of the man, ard my connec'
ton with him, it Is proper, with the
honor afforded me ofclosing this debate,
that should be heard.
Mr.. HISCOCK. Isit proper toinquire
how long time is now to be given TO
debate?
Mr.. CURTIN. An hour
Tho SPEAKER. Under the rules of
the House there is one hour Tor de
bate. IL. a.,
intention Of gentlemen on the other s'de
To pres. a vote tonight
The SPEAKER. The Cnsir Is not
,dyi.el what the intention on THE
ether side is.
Mr. CURTIN. | do not know the
r,,r.s n( thi. House, but | understand
,r.ttf., gentleman who has charge OF
,hi- li!l. and who has conferred upon
me the honor of closing this debate has
tho rsrh, To an hour and has given 1t to
me. Now what do y'u mean2 poyou
mean - tkeit from meY
Mr.. WHITE, of Kentucky. mean
-, d.srpsrcct to the gentleman from
pennsy.yania Mr.. tCRrNn but the
gentleman from New York gave away
his right to that hour in the agreement
which was made about the debate.
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from
Pennsylyanil will proceed.
Mr. CURTIN. know Fitz-I ohm Por
ter we'll. have known him all his ma.
,ur, life. He was appointed from
PENNSYLVANIA cadet at West Point,
where he was instructed as soldier.
In his birth and his lineage from the
Revolution which gave this country
its liberal and matchless Constitution,
the Porters have defended II upon the
water and upon the land. When the
Is,e unhappy war commenced and dark
clouds covered all this great country,
and the people Of the North were arous.
ed from their peaceful pursuits to face
the fact that war, cruel, savage war,
evisted, Fitz.John Porter was the hrst
military officer sent 10 Pcnusy ivania 10
assist in the organization ot troops for
th5 defense of the Government and TO
meet the necessities OF the war forced
upon us. Washington, the capitol Of
the country, was shut out from com.
munication with the North and West;
there were no means of communication
between the capital and the country al
large. Being NJ that time the executive
of PENNSYLVANIA, from necessity /
depended much upon the military
Indictment sent to assi-t me. FltZJ Ohm
Porter was the most enlightened, most
,leeplessly yigilant and ardent advocate
og immediate military discipline, OF the
leyying OF troops and the enforcement
of obedience othe law that came TO me
through that long struggle.
Now, Mr.. Speaker and gentlemen on
tb. other side Of this Chamber, II YOU
will turn to the records you will find
ono significant fact not so much for the
living A. in Justice to the dead. The
first citizens of this country that ever
,.led a rehcariug for this soldier, with
"a view tnrFlressing any wrong DC might
have suffered, were Horace Greeley OF
New York, Henry wilson OF Aassachp.
.c,ta. ard myself Applause. Surely
tine fidelity OF the two persons ! have
r.maI will not te doubted, and the
lrs.cniation OF APPLICATION thus made 10
tho Government Tor the redress Of the
,,rorrs Il lne 10 tbls man was made altar
r,II confederation OF all the facts and in
t,.rre.cnce Of all the. lights which sub
..auont history had shed upon the
.y.n.'ul period tbrogth which we had
ilst Passed.
General Filz John Porter never
apgroached or imporiuncd me TO be
}i. advocate. Since the pcndcncy Of
i.is bill. or since the meeting OF Con.
,.r..s. have not seen him here. As 10
ib. merits OF this bill II Is question on
which men may have opinions on the
one side and on the other, depending
y ry much upon how YOU approach the
f,cis. but | was surprised to hear
distinguished member Of this House
Mr.. KgiTEE say over and over again
IN his spyecn that General Filz.John
Porter wa% coward. Before God | cay
never knew a Porter who was fool or
q ,oFard. Applause.
That was the opening speech Of this
,.cbate in opposition to the bill, and,
rom its character, must be regarded ~
the presentation OF the views of those
who are inspired by IolitcM bias IN
tucir action on the measure. There
wa. much of the dust and smoke and
-u.phur of battle in IL; there was the
rtttle Of rifle and Of musketry; the
d-tonation of heavy guns, and amidst
% the strife which the gentleman drew
from his imagination, above the noise
aud confusion and roar, the culmina.
tion of his rhetoric was the cry that
Firz-John Porter was coward. lie is
the first man who has ever put that
statement in print; indeed. he is the
Hrst who ever had the temerity to say
r.. and / trust he will never say it again
90 ornament his rhetoric or logic.
Now, Mr. Speaker. propose for a
lew IN tnutts 20 turn the attention of this
House to portion of the history OF that
ii esdful war which would be glad "a
forget. with all its horrors, and do most
,,ncerely regret that in this instance
,ye must f ght 1t over and revive is pain
ful reeollections, when justice is asked
cheer Justice 10 an American citizen, and
49,. ohio has beeu wf1nged, RrInTously