Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-02-28

fellow citizen. know full well tina
many of the gentlemen on the othe
side will vote Tor this bill. and nm gIai
TO hear that some who dilisr with me il
political opinions will vote n ,hat way
know full we'll how my colleague IRON
the Allegheny district Mr. BAYNr vii
vote, as he has spoken, Dut do not know
bow the gallant -oldicf who stinds in
NY front vii vote lie gave the first
fresh years of his matured life 10 the
service o.! the county, aud stood IN the
lcaden hail OF battle with tue general
we desire To relieve.
Having served with Fitz.John Porter
he certainly will not tolerate for one
moment the imputatioD that he WAS Il
coward. He has reason TO know OF his
courage and his skill as military com
mander, and IT he has doubts | ,rust he
viii lean 10 the vlndication OF an hon.
est, faithful man rather than TO follow
the progressive ana rigid politics o his
surroundings. To hIm and my col
leagues on both sides OF this Hall ! Ep
peal TO remember the honor and the
character Of Pennsylvania. They all
know oil this man, they all know OF the
blood that runs IN his veins, and in
making that appeal to my colleagues
know It WILL go down TO the body of the
people. IL Is soul born sentiment or
truth that IN Pennsy ylyauia we love To
III" homage aud pay respect to the mar
tial virtues, and let it be understood
that the iair lame OF that historic State
has never been tainted by the accq.a.
ton OF inhdellty or treason to my o.
her citizens, soldiers, or statosmcu.
But iorcIble as the appeal which this
bill makes TO my colleagues IN this en-
Ightened presence OF their pride in
Fennsy ylyRnln, the case of General Por.
ter appeals 10 every man upon broader.
more iargcucHlug and gtALder grounds.
Proud as we are % be Pennsylyanians.
there ., title OF broader signifcan e.
and still more dear to US all and to
every man within our borders who can
stand gp and LAY to all tie world, and
feel the iull significance of the declara.
ton, | am an American citizen and W Il
do justice 10 my peer and my brother
either IN private or official lf. when |
know that injustice has been done him.
Here we are standing in the presence
OF an appeal by the citizen TO the Rep
reseuta'ives OF the people; and as they
represent the people and are supposed
TO present public continent in it's truth
and right, from Its Representatives 4:
goes to the entire country, AMI will carry
the appeal 10 the grand inquest OF the
American nation.
Ii should be the pleasure, as il is
surely the duty, OF the Representatives
a La 1
the stigma from General Porter and TO
proclaim to oil the world that we have
restored him ip his rights, made him
once more a citizen. And / declare, as
! understand It, that this bill wipes out
every stain from the character Of the
man, IL being the solemn adjudication
of the Government as represented in
these Halle. Loud applause.
Mr. Speaker. a code OF morality
which would be applicable TO a man but
should not control the actions Of com
mGnttics or States or pstions would be a
deiusIon and n fraud. and n repre- sen tn.
tive ol she people IN these halls who j.
controlled by prejudice, or whose jude
ment is warped by excitement, and
most OF all 10y the rigid bonds Of rolit.r.
al fellowship, must be foFgetiul Of the
morality Wbich should guide him in his
search tor truth aud justice. And now.
when We are once more united people
and restored 20 iratctnal relations. 60
concord and peace, when We are all in.
ierested IN the progress and enlarge.
ment Of the glory ani power Of this
fraa; people. let We 90 Justice 10 every
man within our borders. whether he be
Of high or los birth. whether he be sol.
der OF civilian. aud searching Tor that
justice which GOD has stamped on the
human heart. let as take from this mau
the ban uud" which he has rested for
many long, weary years and give to his
children that pride which they mu4t
fee, ia a father wbo served his country
faithfully, IN name that never was be.
tainted, and tho consolation of know
ing that they are not the children of s
traitor TO his country; hut they shall re
IDice aud give 10 their country that hiel.
ny that Dr. due to It from every Amert.
can citizen; and that after long years OF
suffering their fathers name has been
gsttoTed 10 al its brightness, and from
his country he has at last received jus.
tlce.
And when that work hes been accom-.
plished the citizens hpnored by the
right OF representation upon this can
find consolation and just pride in the
truth that they too have performed
their duty TO their country. their con
stituents and their fellow citizens.