St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-14
FoRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
The Senate.

and desert land acts, and modifying Tue
homestead act.
Senator Edmunds introduced a bill au-
thorizing the president to appoint and place
on the retired list of the army one person
from among those who had been generals
commanding the armies OF the United States
or genera-iu chief OF said army. Senator
Edmuuds expressed the hope that unanimous
consent would be given for the immediate
consideration of the bill. Every senator, be
said, would see the object and application OF
the bill. II would authorize the president to
appoint Gen. Grant to the retired list. In
lis form it obviated the difficulty observed in
the Fitz-John Porter case.
Senator Cuckerell asked that 1t should lie
over till Tomorrow.
Bills Introduced and referred.
By Senator Harrison, providing for the
erection OF public building at Madison,
Ind, to cost s75, 900.
By Senator Van Wyck, making railroad
corporations organized by acts of congress
subject to the control and legislation OF
states ana territories in which the roads are
constructed.
By Senator Slater, TO create a new land
district in Oregon.
A resolution was agreed to calling on the
secretary OF the treasury 10 communicate TO
the senate copies Of orders, correspondence,
etc, made or approved by him since Dec.
20, 1884, relating TO tue collection, postpone
menI or remission of tax upon distilled
spirits intended ID be exported.
n - 1 20
took up the Sherman Davis resolution, and
senator Vance spoke upon IL. He quoted
from Gen. Shcrman's letter the illusions tn
finding Gov. Vance's official correspon de nee
in the executive mansion. He said no part
of the official correspondence and words
were ever kept in the executive
mansion. The letter referred to
by Gen. Sherman was not found in the copy
book referred to, for the reason that no such
letter was ever there. He asserted, on the
honor Of gentleman, that no such letter
making the threats Gen. Sherman alleges tn
be made was ever received by the speaker
from Jefferson Davis, and men who fought
on the northern and victorious side seemed
10 think it showed that those who fought for
the south and lost did not join in attempt 10
heap obliquy ON the head of JtH Davis. The
speaker had, IL was well known, been drawn
into the secession unwillingly, but once in
there was not a day or an hour that he had
not done his best to make il successful.
Gen. Sherman would rob him Of this salts
factory reflection. II was true the speaker
had ent an embassy 10 Gen. Sherman
10 ask protection for his people
But the coniedcracy was then at, au end
Gen Sherman had found In fact that he did
not await the return of his embassy. The
evidence was that he WAS afraid Of Jefferson
Davis, afraid Of Davis then fugitive! Was
ever u proposition more absurdi The reason
why he did not wait the return was because
81 was reported the commissioners had been
captured by Kilpatrick's cavalry, promptly
robbed Of their personal possession aud taken
90 Gen. Shermau's headquarters. There
upon hr joined the line OF the retreating
army.
Al the conclusion OF Vancc's remarks,
Senator HaNlcy said the purpose Of his res
olution was simply 10 make accessible what
he regarded as information Of a historic
value, and be did not seek this debate nor
wish 10 proluug Il. and be had no disposition
10 want, only as u sailor, 10 exult over men
who bad lost, but whenever issues were
presented which had been brought
into view In this discussion he
maintained in the war, aud characterized rs
cuuspirators aud traitors those engaged In
conspiracy aud treason. His principle was
not 10 Judge men by the Hight they have, but
measures by the light We have. He then
briefly reviewed some correspondence that
passed between Gov. Vance aud President
Davis, aud read letter by Vance protecting
against the proposed suspension OF the writ
of habeas corpus, and threatening that the
people Of the North Carolina would resist il.
lie also referred 10 the refusal by Gov.
Brown, of Georgia, 10 obey an order by Pres
idcnt Davis as iustiiying Gen. Shermau's
remark about the opposition In the couted-
eracy tu the Davis administration.
senator Brown was the next To- speak. He
said he was willing to stand up on his record,
and did not propose tD discuss II, out would
briefly reply to one or two assertions that
had bccu made in regard 10 his alleged OBJ
structiuu to President Dayis' administration.
He differed with Davis very materially
on several questions aud discussed the dif-
ferruces with him very frankly. but did not
throw an obstacle in the way OF the military
operations, nor dill he ever disubcy any legal
order which the president % the cuufcderacy
bad right 70 make. When Gen. Sherman
Invaded Georgia be Gov. Brown, had or
CaniEcd the military of men aud boys who
wrr,, not liable % vousCripton or military
duty under the law Of the confederacy. A
reQuisiiiun wac made by President Davis TO
turn this body Of troops over tn the regular
coufeder5cy commander. aud he refused 10
obey t., because the president had 20 right to
issue the ururr. aud undoubtedly had Issued
It Uudcr a misunderstanding Of the nature
az tHc case He quoted from his own mes
sagvs Ia the Georgia legislature ~ show
bis v.ation 20 the coufcderscy at the
time, aud bis earnest effort 20 support
the military operations. He quoted
from Geu. Sbcrmsn's letter and CORES
pondrncv between the latter and President
Lincoln. Hc Saws he entertained az no tune
no such purpose 20 yisIt Gen sherman, as
tbc after seemed to suppose, and he believed
Stephens entertained no such purpose. He
bad be, invited through Mr.. King, D; Gen.
Sherman to wish him 10 treat tor terms ~
peace a. Tar as Georgia was concerned. but
h. had replied he had no authority 10 ur-
gotiatc The speaker vas not an original
union nan; he WAS sccessjuuisi from the
b, ginning. There we're few 90 his family
let now. lie sgsin quoted from his reply
O. Gen Sherman, his declaration that come
veal 0r come woe the state Of Georgia should
nos with bis Conscut aha dou the euufrdrscy
SENATOR Hawlvy said he thought the record
would not De- complete without a fcS quota
lions from the matter SlreAdy published. tie
read from sherman pspers commune
% thc confederate secretary Of War ~ Gov
Brown a urctiug the GcOrgla reserves % re-
psri o. the confederate authorities. Gov .
Bruvu's refusal 10 comply, wherriu be also
comments gpon She failurc Of the prrsids o.
% defend Georgia, aud expresses tue
purpose 20 use tic Georgia forces tor de-
frusr against loreigu foes or domestic usurp-
atm.
SeHater Brown. 10 reply, said The extracts
rad ~ senator Hauiey were extracts ot a