National Republican., 1888-03-21

apology was needed from the Senator from
New Hampshire for the introduction of the
bill. Every senator knew that the bill had
sprung from his (Mr. Blair's) hearty sympn-
thy with those in distress. The bill had come
from the senator's heart, but he (Mr Man
derson) feared that the senator had not given
to II the sober judgment Of his head. Per-
sonally he would have preferred that the bill
mad been permitted to take the usual course;
but he did not think 1t discourtcous to the
senator that the Senate should refuse
second reading to bill involving such
strange and startling proposition. lie he
lieved that before the Senate could enter on
such legislation II would be necessary to re-
peal, by the action Of Congress and of state
legislatures, the fourteenth amendment to
the constitution, which declared that nei!'i r
the United States nor any state should as
sumo or pay any debt or obligation Of the
confederate states, but that all such debts,
obligations, and claims should be under law
held void. He submitted that the bill was
In direct violation of the spirit, II not the
letter, Of that constitutional amendment.
Mr.. Daniel said that II the question were
one Of courtesy or Of discourtesy to the
senator who had introduced the BILL there
would he no doubt In his mind as TO how he
should vote. He felt incapable of Offering
discourtesy to any senator, and certainly he
should go very far to avoid doing so toward
one who had been inspired ny such q mag
unanimous and generous sentiment rs that
which the senator from New Hampshire had
exhibited. But no public question could
ever be bellttled by question of courtesy.
The question before the Senate was the pro-
priety Of the consideration of the bill. If
II had gone to a committee In due course
without vote or comment no one would have
felt that there was anything improper in 1t;
but since question had been made upon II,
that question had to be met, and he trusted
that no ex-confederate in the Senate would
dodge that question, although doubt
less his emotion might incline him
to do so. II he (Mr. Daniel)
could, with propricty, decline to vote
on the question, he would do so because,
in his judgment, 1t did not become q Con-
federate soldier to ask the United States
government for any peculiar right or privi-
,lege. He had mo doubt that the Senator
from New Hampshire had introduced the
bill in spirit of benevolence, kindness and
generosity, but II had not been called for by
any confederate, nor had it grown out of
the demands Of public sentiment. All that
the confederate soldier asked from the
United States was that he should stand
equal before its laws, and should have fair
opportunity to work out his own salvation.
lie would venture to say that there was not
town or hamlet from the Potomac to the
Rio Grande where Confederate soldier was
to be seen In rags or tntters, or begging his
bread In its streets. There was not palace
or hut where the confederate soldier was
not always welcome and honorcd guest
There was no danger of any hon
orable or true man, however
humble he might he or however small his
fortune, dying ON the roadside because no
good Samaritan would come by to lend him
a helping hand. All that the eX,confederates
asked was not special privileges, but to be
respected In their rights Of American citizen
ship, which they had assumed knowingly
and Intentionally, and which they intended
to abide by, God helping them, in such n
manner that no man could Justly lift against
them the finger Of scorn or apply to them
an insulting epithet.
Mr.. llawley expressed himself as person
ally grateful to the senator from Virginia
(Mr. Danicl) for his manly aud statesman
like speech. He thought the bill was funda-
mentally mistake.
Finally the bill was allowed TO go over un-
til to-day without action.
The Senate then took up the calendar and
passed eight bills, including the following
The House bill to incorporate the Rock
Creek Railway Company Of the District of
Columbia with amendments, on which a
committee of conference was ordered and
Messrs. Harris, Farwell, and Spooner APP
pointed).
To provide for warehousing fruit brandy.
Bills for the relief Of the iron-clad builders
the Perines and the McKays.
Touching the grade of commanders In the
navy and to correct an error In relation to
appointment therein. This was the case of
Commander Quackenbush, and caused con-
siderable debate
The Senate then proceeded to executive
business, and, at 5:35, adjourned.