The Press., 1885-01-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.


 WASHINGTON LETTER.
 Washington, D. C., Jan. r, 1885.
 In the United States Senate this week, the so called Dayis,Sherman debate has been the most exciting and magnetic sub ject, theugh by no means the most profit able. The discussion was sprung by sen ator Hawley's resolution asking president Arthur to furnish the senate with the state- ment regarding Jefferson Davis policy, recently filed i'll the war department by Gen. Sherman. The moment senator Har- ris rose to find fault with the resolution, it was evident that spirited controversy would follow, and the listless visitors in the galleries leaned forward to hear. The honor and patriotism of Jeff Davis was chanpioned by some of the ex-confeder- ates, among them senators Lamar, Mor- gan and Vest, while loyalty and the Union were defended by senators Sherman, Con- ger, HawIey and Ingalls,. Senator Vest asserted that Davis was as loyal to the cause he espoused as was ever religious devotee to the God he worshipped that he was beloved anow, and would ever be beloved by large majority of the south ern people. Senator George of Mississip- pi took the position that the question was really private quarrel between two citi- zens, and that the senate was not justified in lending the dignity of its influence to the matter. Senator Conger, of Michigan, could not understand how the contest could be between two private citizens. He thought Mr. Davis, as well as congress, would have to do something before Mir. Davis could claim equality of citizenship with Gen. Sherman. The distinguished senator from Connecticut said his resolu- tion had been offered slmply for the pur- pose of making accessible some informa- tion of historic value. He had no disposi- ton to wantonly assail or exult over the men who had lost, but whenever the issue was presented he would maintain the standard he had maintained in the war, and characterize as conspirators and traitors those who engaged in conspiracy and trea- 1 son. He also read, during the course of his remarks, letters that had passed be- l tween Davis and senators Vance of North Carolina, and Brown of Georgia, who were each the war governors of their re- spective states. The correspondence was read to prove Gen. Sherman's remarks about opposition in the confederacy to Davis administration. By this time the galleries were crowded with visitors, many of them sight-seers who are always stroll ing around the capitol. The news that something out of the ordinary run was go- | ing on in the senate spread rapidly through the corridors, and soon reached the cham- Der of the lower house. Many of the rep resentatives took advantage of their right to go on the floor of the senate and listen to discussion that was more interesting than an appropriation bill which was the order of the day Ill their end of the capi- tol. There was a lady in the galleries who had not been to congress for twelve years. 'Why," said she, "they are still talking about the old war matters, just as they were when l was last here. thought they had settled that question" She left in disgust saying that she would not re- turn for twelve ye ars more.
 Senator Sherman defended his brother with great earnestness and entered his solemn protest against any one calling Jeff Davis a patriot in his presence He asserted that whenever the motives of the war were called in question, he would say it was canseless rebellion, entered upon with bad motives, and all men who led in that movement were traitors to this coun- try of ours. Great God r said he, twill it ever be disputed in this land at any time within thousand years, that in the war and before the war, Jefferson Davis was a 1 conspirator and a traitor to his country ? Never, trust" Senator Lamar next de- tended Davis, and said in conclusion the t although the people of the south had giv- en up the right to secede, and had sur l rendered upon all the questions which di- vidcd the two sectious in that controversy, no man should in his presence call Jeff Davis traitor without his stern and en- phatic denial. Senator Ingalls, insisted it sounded unpleasantly to loyal ears to hear Jeff Davis eulogised ga an honorable man and patriot. It did not sound well to be told by men who had been on the wrong side of the controversy, by men whom we were called upon to recognise as brothers, united by the bonds of cemented union, that millions of people to-day love Jeff Davis. The Mississippi senator, Mr. Vest, replied to the sarcastic senator from Kan. sas by saying Mir. Ingalls was verbal horror, and an oral terror. The senator from Georgia agreed to stand on his rec ord in the matter of disobeying Davis when the latter ordered him to turn over the Georgia militia to the regular confed- crate commander. 'sBut," added he. q was not an original Union man. was a secessionist. There are few of that fami- y left now" A smile rippled over the senate and galleries from his remark, and after all, when the ayes and noes were called, only ten senators voted against the Hawley resolution.