Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-13
XLVIIITH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, January IL, 1885.

Lockwood praying Congress to see that
the votes cast for her at the late presi-
Dental election be counted.
Mr.. Van Wyck, from the Committee
on Public Lands, reported favorably,
with amendments, House bill "to pre-
vent unlawful occupancy of public
land" The principal amendment pro-
posed is to authorize the President to
use civil and military force to remove
and destroy illegal fences.
The Chair laid before the Senate the
resolution heretofore offered by Mr..
Hawley calling on the President, if not
incompatible with the public interests,
for a copy of the historical statement
concerning the public policy of the Ex-
ecutive Department of the Confederate
States filed at the War Department by
General Sherman.
Mr.. Harris said that if Mr.. Hawley
thought any action of the Senate was
proper with regard to the paper or pa
pers referred to he would not object to
the call, but if no such action was to
be taken Mr.. Harris could see no OBJ
ject in the call for the papers. They
were in the possession of the War De
partmcnt, and would appear in the re-
bellion record. Mr.. Harris had exam
ined the papers at the War Depart
ment. They consisted of somewhat
voluminous argument by General Sher-
man of his side of the personal issue
made through the newspapers between
himself and jefferson Davis.
Mr.. Hawley had presumed the papers
would find their way into publicity, and
he had desired the complete and not the
partial edition of them published.
Mr.. Harris had not the slightest Objec-
ton to the broadcast publication of the
papers. but saw no reason why they
should be sent to the Senate to be
merely printed as an executive docu-
ment and then slumber there.
Mr.. Hawley said the papers related
to the last year of the war, and would
not probably be published in the rebel
lion record for couple of years to come.
Mr.. Harris doubted the propriety of
calling for the papers.
Mr.. Vest regretted the introduction
of the resolution, not that he would
oppose the largest publication of the
history of the Confederate States, but
because the Senate would be making
itself, indirectly at least. party to the
controversy that has been going on in
the public press. His feelings toward
Mr.. Sherman were of the kindest char
acter, and he believed he was his per
sOnal friend.
The debate on Mr.. llawley's resoiu-
ton continued at some length, and be-
came pretty warm before it closed. The
participants. in addition to Senators
| Hawlcy. Harris. George, and Vest,
were Senator's Sherman, Ingalls,, Nor
gan, Congcr, and Lamar.
Mr.. Vest inquired whether it was
manly to commit the Senate to any side
of a personal controversy when Mr..
Davis could not he heard. Mr.. Davis
was to-day an old man, broken in for
tune ALL health. H,iEg among people
who h, Iored him. He (Mr. NeSD had
been member of the Confederate Sen
ate. and frequently opposed Mr.. Davis's
measures but he believed, as an over
whclming majority Of the southern peo-
pie believed. that Mr.. Davis was a
true and loyal to the cause he espouSec
as ever was wife to a husband, or rcli'
eious devotee to the God he worship
ped.
Mr.. George said the controversy wa
a personal one between two private cit
liens of the United States.
Mr.. Congcr disputed Mr.. Davis
right TO be called citizen in any rela
ton of equality to General Sherman.
Mr.. George was willing that the con
troyersy should be settled by history
He had no fear that the result would b
adverse to the honor or patriotism o
Jefferson DAVIS.
Mr.. Morgan said that it may be tru
that Jefferson Davis's political disabili
ties had not been removed. but he wa
no less man because of that. Ii wa
not less true that he was beloved by mil
lions of people yet in the United States
He had been no more an enemy OF tn
United States than many senator's nov
on the floor of the United States Senate
Mr.. Ingalls, said Jefferson Davis
name had never been mentioned in IN
Senate without Messrs. Morgan, Vest
and their associates endorsing him an
declaring that he was man Of hone
and patriot. and that millions ofpeopl
in the United States loved him. SO lon
as such remarks were INDUCED in IT wa
vain TO declare that the aninosities ei
cendered by the war had been burie
forever. IL did not sound well TO hay
ilaunted so constantly in our faces b
the members of the Senate the fact thi
Mr.. Davis was a patriot and man
, honor. and that he was beloved by mi
. lions.
Mr.. Sherman, after reciting the c.
cunstances Of the controversy, said
, did not desire to wound the feelings
, an old man, - but, great God, said h
, "will il ever be disputed in this con
, try Of ours at any time within tho
sand years that in the war and beio
The war Jefferson Davis was conspr
| tor and traitor to his country Neye
| trust" Mr.. Sherman felt compeil4
! 10 enter his most solemn protest again
) Mr.. Davis being treated a. q patriot.
Mr.. Lamar characterized Mr.. She
| mans statement Of the controversy
marked by fragrant inaccuracies as
the issue between Jefferson Davis 81
I. General sherman. He CIR. LAMAR d