Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-05
WASHINGTON. March 4, 1856.

d,r,ov.
AsnINoToN. March 4, 1886.
scuats.
Mr.. SeWell, from the Committee on
library, reported layorably the jolnt
resolution accepting FROM MIR. William
II anderbilt and Mrs. julia Dent
Grant objects OF value and art pre-
sented by foreign Governments to the
late General Uly sseS ). Grant. On the
suggestion Of Mr.. ingalls, 1t was changed
10 me form OF bib
On the suggestion of ot Mr.. Logan it
was also changed SO that the name OF
Mrs. Grant should precede that OF Van
6erhilt. Mr.. Logan said he thought
that would be the more appropriate
order. The bill ihen passed.
Alr. Sewell, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported favorably
House bill for the relief of General FitG
John Porter. With the report giving
the views Of the majority of the cOm-
mitiee, Mr.. SeWell added that Mr.. Lo-
gan would later submit the views Of the
minority.
Ms. Riddleborecr said that some re-
marks Of his yesterday had been con-
StTu,d TO be offensive, personally, to
some senators aud especially to the
Senator from North Carolna," If any
thing that could be so construed was
pointed ont to him CRiddleberger in
the Record he would be glad to erase
ii before the revised edition Of the Re
cora was printed. His only object had
been TO proteS, against the admission OF
professional LOBBYISTS TO the floor of
the >euate-men who came to persuade
senator's, and il they could not per-
suAGe senators. then to abuse them and
backyard them. lie had meant no
offence 10 1.-THE senator from North
Carolina.
Mr.. Van Wyck attempted to get up
the bill increasing the pension OF widows
and dependent relatives Of deceased
soldiers, but the desire Of senator's to
proceed with the educational bill inter-
feroo with this.
The education bill was then taken
up.
The yeas and nays were taken on
Mr.. uolph's amen lment, offered yester-
day. and resultel-yeas, Il; nays, %.
So the amendment was rejected. 1t
was upon this amendment that Mr.. Rid
dleberger raised the point Of order yes
tefday.
Mr.. Gibson favored the bill. Having
spoken fully on IT at the last session,
ne said. he would now make no argu-
ment, but brief statement. " While
il ha, been demonstrated, Mr.. Gibson
saij. that Congress possesses the
power under the Constitution TO make
a giant Of proceeds arising from the
sale Of public lands or the public lands
themselves. however acquired and may
make grant Of public moneys from the
Treasury, however derived, in aid of
education in the States, must confess
il is power, like that to declare
war. so liable 20 abuse that | would
not resort to 1t with the purpose
10 establish an underwriting and unlim-
tied policy, and would exercise it only
under stress and pressure Of most
urgent, exceptional. and extraordinary
circumstances. The justification for
its exercise at this time grows out Of
the most calamitous and stupendOus
transaction Of our century-war be-
tween the enlightened and powerful
Commonwealth Of the American
Union, lasting it is true, only four
years, yet marked by sacrifices Of
property and life, and followed by pOliti-
eel and social revolutions without paral-
lei in the history Of civilized men. The
North that emerged triumphant from
the conflict is not in all respects the
North which entered into it. Material
changes have taken place in the vital
conditions of society, resulting in the
gradual disappearance Of the old,
simple ways Of living and the crea-
ton Of a class, on one hand, who
possess more concentrated wealth and
power than any order Of nobility
in any nation of Europe, and exercise
more extensive authority over the Occu-
patons Of the people than the Federal
Government itself; and, on the other
hand. of another class depending upon
their daily labor for their daily bread,
and separated from the former class by
deep and widening chasm.
Without meaning to eXaggerate the
evil, liable to grow from the disprOpOr-
tionate distribution of wealth, it would
have to be admitted that education was
Indispensable for the welfare Of the
peoples government; indispensable
for the solution Of problems involved
in the relations Of citizen to State and
limitations upon corporations. The
people will be enab ed to govern them
selves with universal suffrage by means
Of universal education, or sooner or
later they will be governed, as IN all
the most powerful nations Of Europe,
by permanent class distinctions, with
special privileges backed by the stand
Ing armies. Oar own country Is the
only exception to this rule among great
and fIch nations. Let us invoke any
influence and agency, before the popu-
laton becomes too dense and IN
wieldy, IN favor Of popular rights
and education as the surest safeguard
Of republican government. Better an
intelligent ballo: than the bayonet.
Better cooperation and good under
standing than measures Of repression.
The south of to-day is not in all re-
spects the South as she stood before the
world twenty-five years ago. Never
was the discontinue and ruin of a
country more complete. The exhaus-
ton Of Prussia under Frederick, or
Of France, under Napoleon was not
more thorough. Succeeding her mill
tary overthrow she witnessed all
her local institutions - Industrial,
financial, educational, and religious-all
the organized forces of her society
shattered and pulyerized their very
foundation. torn up and destroyed-a
complete 60uiesorsemeRt- and her pO-
htical rehabilitation committed chiefly
10 her former negro slaves, elevated
not only to be freemen but enfranchised
and intrus,ed with political control.