The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-01-21

Ihc Debate OH tho Resolution To Prfn inf
Gen. Shcrnnn's Historical" Docu.
mcnts-Spiritcd, but Courteous, Re-
torts OF Southern Senator'S to the
Coarse Abuse of Sherman, ingalls,
and Other Exaspcrated Republic
cnns.
WASHINGTON, January 12.-Thc Chair
laid before the Senate the resolution
herctobeforc offered by Senator Hawlcy,
calling on the President, if mot incomp, ii
bic with the public interests. for cow of
the historical statement concerning the
public policy Of the executive DEPART
mcnt of the Confederate States. filed nv
Gen. Sherman.
Senator Harris said, that if Senator
Hawleythought any action of the Senate
was proper, with regard to the paper or
papers referred to, he would not object
to the call, but if no such action was to
be taken he could see no object in the
call for the papers. They were in the
possession of the war department and
would appear in the "Rebcllion Record"
he had examined the papers at the war
department. They consisted of some
what volum'nous argument by Gen.
Sherman of his side Of personal issu
made through the newspapers between
himself and Jefferson Davis.
Senator Hawlcy said he had presumed
that the papers would find their way
into publicity, and he had desired n
complete and not a partial edition Of
them published
Senator Harris had not the sliehtes
objection to the publication of the
papers, but he saw no reason whyy the
should be sent to the Senate to be
merely printed as an cx-Scnatorial docu-
mcnt and then Sium',cr there.
Senator IIawley said that the papers
related to the last year of the war, and
would not probably be published in the
Rebellion Record " for couple Of years
to come.
Senator Harris doubted the propricty
of calling for the papers.
Senator Vest regretted the introduc-
ton 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 tha. had been going on in
the public press. His feelings toward
Gen. Sherman were Of the kindcst char
actcr, and he believed he was his per-
sonal friend. There might be a great
diversity Of opinion about Jefferson
Davis, but still he was entitled to fair
h caring, and it was but Justice to
him to say that the adoption OF the rcso-
lution would Indirectly commit the
Senate to the other side Of the contro-
versy, maintained by Gen. Sherman and
his friends. 1t was said that Gen. Shcr-
man had stated that the late war had
originated in secession and that he had
seen letter from gentleman once Gcv-
ernor Of one Of the Confederate States
and now member Of this Senate, which
stated that Jefferson Davis had threat
ened to cocrce any Of the Southern
States that might attempt to seccdc from
the Confederacy. Mr.. Davis is thereby
given his expression Of disbelief in
States Rights, and falsifying the very
issue upon which the Southern States
had gone into the war. When Mr.
Davis heard Of this statement he said
that no such letter existed and pro-
nounced the statement a Slander. Gen.
Sherman said he would answer through
the war department. The papers, Sena-
tor Vest said, had been published by the
press. Was it fair, he asked, was it
manly, when Mr.. Davis could not be
heard OH the floor of the Senate unless
through the mouth Of some one who
might choose to cspouse and advocate
his side Of the controversy, to use the
Government of the United States and
its instrumcntalities in personal contro-
versy? No matter what its merits no
good could come Of the resolution. 1t
would arouse bitter memories. Jcffer-
son Davis was to day al old man, broken
in fortune and health, but living among
a people who honored him. IF the reso-
luton were passed it would necessitatc
on Senator Vests part public avowal,
for he was member of the Confederate
Senate, that he opposed such Of Mr..
Davis measures as he thought were not
ror the welfare of tho people Of the
South, but it would also neccssitate the
avowal that he believed an overwhelming
majority ofthe Southern people believed,
and will continue to believe. that Jeffcr-
son Davis was as true and loyal to the
cause he espoused as ever was wife to
husband, as ever was religious devotee
to the god he worshipped. Mr.. Davis may
have made mistakes. as who had not (?