The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-07-03
A Proper Rebuke.

The Republicans in Congress, especially
those that were civilians during the late
war. are in the habit of casting reflections
on the Southern members on all possible
occasions. 1t isnot courteous, not patriotic,
and as no one can be called to account for
words spoken in debate, it is absolutely
cowardly.
The Southern States were forced back
into the Union, and in due time were re-
habilitated with all the rights under the
constitution as existing before the separa-
ton. The Southern people accepted the
results of the war as final in good faith,
and renewed their obligations under the
constitution and laws. Except the carpet
baeoers and scalawags that were chosen to
seats in Congress, they have faithfully en-
deavored to maintain the government and
to defend the constitution, and have in
yariably voted on the side of economy and
honesty, and their patriotism has been
abundantly shown.
Their presence in the national Legislature,
however, is distasteful to those men who
were invisible in war, unless like Malone
and Riddleberger they vote under Repub-
lican leadership, and they sometimes can
not repress their passions
Last Friday, when the Fitz-John Porter
bill was under consideration, Senator Plumb,
of Kansas, took occasion to cast reflections
upon the patriotism of the Southern mem
beers, and told them plainly that they should
abstain from voting on the bill; that it was
a matter that should be settled by those
members representing states that did not
secede. Senator Butler, of South Carolina,
interposed to say that he had sat during
this discussion without opening his mouth
either for or against the bill, but he sub
mittcd that there was point beyond which
forbearance ceased to be virtue. That
point was about reached so far as he was
concerned. 1t had been intimated by inu-
endo, almost by direction, that Southern
men were casting their votes to restore
Fitz-John Porter to the army because he
was disloyal to the Union. Continuing, he
said
81 not only protest against that, Mr.. Presi-
e. I II nc al
soutely and entirely and unqualifedly untrue;
and, sir, if it were in another forum, would
denounce it as cowardly. Because we are
here in the exercise of our constitutional
rights as Senators on this floor, casting our
votes as our consciences dictate, that we
should be aspersed in this way is beyond my
comprehension among men and gentlemen
| have not opened my mouth for tltz-Joh
Porter know of no man from the South or
who was in the Confederate army who has
We have taken the ground that 1T IS not our
quarrel; but, sir, are we supposed to SIT here
like dumb brutes, called upon to exercise
constitutional duty to vote, and because we
vote as our consciences dictate, without re-
gard to his loyalty or disloyalty, following in
the track of Republicans who brought this
question here, we are to be aspersed and our
integrity mpugned. | repeat, sir, that II that
asperson were put upon me in another forum
| would denounce it as false as cowardly.
am the last man in the world, sir, | can
inform the Senator from Kansas, who would
sustain traitor to the Union cause; l am the
last man on this floor who would have respect
for a man who thought deserted his colors;
but upon the evidence which have had land
which have looked at, l think, judiciously),
do not believe that Fitz-J John Porter was a
traitor-I do not believe he deserted his col
ors; and, believing that, l shall vote for this
BILL"