The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-01-21
with their leader in that terrible struprlc

Fcrsy III question as purely q personal
one between two private citizens, and
could see no propricty in tho intervcn-
ton Of the Senate. lie did not think it
should throw the weight of it's influence
on one side or the other.
Senator Congcr did not quite under
| stand that it was contest between two
private citizens. He did not sec on
what authority Jefferson Davis was
called citizen Of the United Statos,
and thought there wrs something for
Mr.. Davis to do and for Congress to do
before Mr.. Davis could be brought into
an equality of citizenship with Gen.
Sherman.
Senator George maintained that, al
though laborins under political disabili
ties, Jefferson Davis was still n citizen
Of the United States. Senator George
had his opinion, and very decided one,
with regard to the controversy under
discussion, but the passage Of the rcso-
luton would not help it. He was per-
fcctly satisfied to have that controversy
go down to history and be settled accord
ing to the judgment Of history. He had
no fear that anything in that Judgment
would be adverse to the honor or patriot
ism Of Mr.. Davis.
Senator Hawlcy did not coincide with
the view that by passing his resolution,
the Senate would be taking sides in
private quarrel. Personally. however,
he did not hesitate to say that, in the
controversy between Jefferson Davis and
Con. Sherman, he was on Gen. Sherman's
side all the time. He believed that Gen.
Sherman was on the right side. personal,
political and military, in the war for the
Union.
Senator Harris inquired what good
would be accomplished by printing the
paper referred to in the resolution.
Senator llawley said in reply that
there was matter in it that to his mind
established, beyond controversy, tho
fact that before the war there had been a
conspiracy in Washington, by which GER
t"'h senators haa decided upon Con-
fedcrate Government, had appointed a
coh'mlt'ee OF Senators TO 60 South to
"''e''o 10 inc preEm'nar'es Tor Its iorma-
'''.'' All" agreed th"t others should re-
main here to prevent such Legislation as
'h'shl interfere Win the success OF the
conspiracy lhe matter uH6c' consid-
ela''oh was no more personal quarrel
'ha'' ''lc TOUT years war ior the Union
hau oeen personal quarrel.
senator vest then SAID that Gen. Sher-
man "ao STATE" that ne would make his
'ep'y 10 'r' laws through the war de-
P'r''ie"'' vi course, therefore, the
paper was part OF the personal contro-
'erSy.
senator Morgan inquired whether
IN the name OF common humanity we
should deny TO Jefferson Davis the right
to send his reply to the war department.
While 1t may true that Mr.. Davis was
iaoor'ng under political disabilities, it
was not less true that he was any less q
man than Gen. Sherman. Because of
that 1t was not less true that he was yet
beloved by millions in the United States.
While it may be true that Mr.. Davis
acted IN open warfare against the United
states rs President of the Confederncy,
1t wns not true that he was any more
distinctly an enemy Of the United States
than NJ Morsan or other Senators now on
th's hoor had been. Senators were here
representing other States, and were here
under the Constitution Of the United
States. There seemed to DC dispo-
s't'on to make the question before the
Senate party question. The Demo-
cratic party could not be involved in it,
but If they were compelled to take
ground they would take the ground that
all men should be treated alike, and