The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-01-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
E,om Our Reqular cbreyondent.

From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, January IL, 1885.
La the UuI,ed States Senate this
week, the so called Davis-Shermsn
debate has been the most exciting
and magnetic subject, though by no
means the most profitable. The dis.
cussion was sprung BY Senator Haw-
ley's resolution asking President Ar
thur to furnish the Senate with the
statement regarding Jefferson Davis
policy, recently flied In the War
Department by Gen. Sherman. The
moment Senator Harris rose to find
fault with the resolution it was evi
dent spirited controversy would
follow, and the listIess visitors III
the galleries leaned forward To hear
The honor and patriotism OF JEFF
Davis was championed by some oil
the ex-confederates, among them
Senators Lamar, Morgan and Vest,
while loyalty aud the Union We're
defended by Senators Sherman,
Copger, Hawley aud Ingalls,. Seua-
tor Vest asserted that Davis was as
loyal TO the cause he e>poused as
was ever religious devotee to the
Go, d he worshiped that he was
beloved now, and would ever be be-
loved by large majority OF the
Southern people. Senator George,
OF Mississippi, took the position that
The question Was really private
quarrel between. two citizens, and
that the Senate was not justified III
lending the dignity of its influence
to the matter. Senator Cong-r, OF
Michigan. could not understand how
the contest could be between two
private citizens. He though, MIR.
Davis, as well as Congress, would
have to do something before MIR.
Davis could claim equality OF cltl-
zenship with Gen. Sherman. The
distinguished Senator from Connec-
licut said his resolution had been Of
fered simply for the purpose OF
making accessible some information
of historic value. He had no dispo
sition 10 want to assail Or exult over
the men who had lost, but whenever
the issue Was presented he would
maintain the standard he bad main
tanned ia the war, aud characterize
as conspirators and traitors those
VINO had engaged in conspiracy and
reason. He also read during the
course Of his remarks, letters that
passed between Davis and Senator
Vance. of North Carolina, and
Brown, of Georgia, who were each
the War Governors of their respect
I'VE States. The correspondence was
read to prove Gen. Sherinan's re-
marks about opposition iii the con-
frderacy to Ddvls's administration.
By this time the galleries were
crowded with visitors, many OF them
sight-seers who are always strolllne
around the Capitol. The news that
something out of the ordinary run
was going on in the Senate spread
rapidly through the corridors, and
soon reached the Chamber of the
Lower House. Many Representa-
tives took advantage of their right
te 20 on the floor of the Senate and
listen To discussion that was more
interesting than an appropriation
bill which was the order If the dav
in their end of the Capitol. There
was a lady in the galleries who had
not been in Congress for twelve
years. Why," said she, "they are
still talking about the old war mat
tiers, Just as they were when was
last here thought they bad set
tied tina, question She left in dis
gust, saving she would not return
for II years more.
Senator Sherman defended his
brother with great earnestness and
entered his solemn protest against
any one calling Jeff Davis patriot
ia his presence. He asserted that
whenever the motives of the wal
were called in question he would
say it was causeless rebellion, en-.
tered upon with bad motives. and
that all men who led in that move.
ment were traitors to this country
of ours. Great God. said he, will
it ever be disputed in this land, al
anv time within a thousand years
that in the war, and before the wal
Jefferson Davis was conspirat0r
and a traitor TO his country? New
er, | trust" Senator ingalls,, ot
Kansas, insisted it souned un
npleasantly to loyal ears t.
hear Jeff Davis eulogized al
an honorable man and a patriot
1t did not sound well to he told by
men who had been on the wrong
side of the controversy, that millions
of people to-day love JEFF Davis
When the ayes and noes were
called, only ten Senators voted
against the Hawley resolution.