The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-07
THE HOUSE.
The McDuffie- Contest Brings ON q
Political Debate.

/ The McDufie-Davidson Contest Brings ON q
Political Debate.
| WASHINGTON. March 6.-The Speaker pro
| tenn. announced the appointment of Mr. Mason,
! of Illinois, upon the committee on claims.
| MIR. Thomas. of Illinois, introduced bill pro-
hibiting the use of llkenesses, portraits rep
reservations of females for advertising purposes
without consent in writing. Referred.
The House then resumed consideration of the
| Alabama contested election case of McDuffe
against Davidson.
Mr.. O'Ferrall, of Virginia. supported the ma
iority report. He ridiculed what he called the
claims of the Republican party that the negro
vote of the South was invariably cast for the
nominees of that party That had bsen true in
years gone by. but not true now. The ne
gross were learning who their friends were. In
1884, man of destiny had arisen. one who
knew no section, but took into his big national
heart all sections and extended the @gis of his
protection over North and South. white
and colored without discrimination. This man
had been called to preside over the country and
make it Union. not only of lakes and lands.
bot of hearts and hands. That year would he
enshrined in the history of the country as the
year when the embers of civil strife had been
extiDguished around the national freside and
the Union cemented by the policy of equal
rights to all and of fraternai feeling and broth
erly love. The Republican party sought to hold
the negroes through their churches and socie-
ties Ii it for this system of
intimidation and bull-dozing By their preachers
and leaders, the Republican party would
have enough coored voters in the South to fur
nlsh pail bearers at the approaching funeral of
that party in 1888. Applause aud laughter
the Democratic side. If freedom meant liberty
of thought of action. and of opinion. the colored
men of the South were as abiect slaves 80 the
preachers as they had been the day when Mr.
Lincoln. with nesiiating hand. signed the Eman-
clpatlon Proclamation 1t was time the Demo
and uphold the colored men IN their right to
vote as they pleased. Applause.
Mr.. Kerr INQUIRED whore the gentleman
learned that Lincoln signed the EmaI oipation
Proclamation with hesitation.
MIR. OFerrall replied that he learned it from
history. There was hitting on the walls of
the Capitol. the propriety of hanging which had
been questioned by some. He was glad il was
here to Derpetuate historical event and
scene. He referred TO the painting of the sign
ing of the Emancipation Proclamation by that
good man whose tragic death hat been a terri
bic calamity to the whole country The deep
thought that there rested upon his features the
anxiety his brow, the disheveled hair told
that the fire burning with a feryent glow
within his brain, while the pen IN his hand was
hesitasing to sign the immortal name of Lin
coin.
pretend to say that Lincoin. portrayed ar
that crucial period of mis- career, when engaged
in performing the grandest duty. was hesitatingf
/ tell the gentleman that he was unfartu nakeIy
situated 10 know the history of his country at
Mr.. OFerrall--Such language as that coming
from that gentleman-who never loses an oppor-
tunity TO use it's not the language of q brave
man. I have always been taught that it was
cowardiy TO kick and cuff a fallen foe. They are
towards only that do it. not brave men. [Ap-
piause on the Democratic side
Mr.. Boutelle-AlloW me 10 say
Mr.. O'Ferrall-I do not yield. You can take
yoar own time.
Mr Boutelle-I will take my own time.
Mr.. OFerrall-and will take nv time after
you,
MIR. Boutele-That is the bravary to which
yoE alluda Applause the Republican side.
Mr.. OFsrral-Weli, sir. it is the right kind
of bravery; you may bet your bottom dollar on
that.
Mr. Hook, of Tennessee, said the gentleman
from Virginia had stated that ali the eolored
people who used to the Republican ticket
now voted the Democratic ticket Was that the
reason that the Democratic majority in Virginia
had fallen from 90. 600 to nothing and that tho
Democrats had only fragment of one two
members IN the House from Virginia. while the
Republicans had six eeveni TApplause Ra-
publican side What had the Dsmocratic party
ever done tor the coiored peoplel If IL hal con-
tribufed anything the emancipation of the
eolored people, il Was on the principle of kick
ing gun, killing the things behind it instead Of
what it snot a. Laushter.l The
Democratic party had plunged the
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