Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-07
BRAVERY DISCUSSED.
Lincoln signing the Emancipation
Proclamation.
LIVELY DEBATE IN THE HOUSE BETWEEN MEssRs
cFERRALL AND BoCTEILE.

A LIVELY DEBATE IN THE HOUSE BETWEEN MEssRs
cFERRALL AND BOCTELLE.
The House yesterday. by vote of IA 70 I2., de-
cided the McDunle-Dav.dson contested-eiection
case In favor OF the latter, the sitting democrat
ia the course OF MS speech on the case Mr. OFer-
rail- said that II freedom me mt liberty OF Thought
OF action and OF opinion, the colored men of the
south were as ab1eet slaves TO the preacher as
they had been the day when .Mr. Lincoln, with
hesitating hand. signed the emancipation procla-
nation"
Mr.. Kerr inquired where the gentleman learned
that Lincoln signed the emancipation proclama-
ton with hesitation.
Mr.. O'Ferr all replied that he learned it from his
tory. There was u painting the wall OF the
Capitol. the proprlety u hanging which had been
questioned by some. He was u al IL was here 10
perpetuaIe historical event and scene. He re-
ferred 10 the painting OF the signing Of the email
cipation proclamation by that good man whose
tragic death had been a terrible calamity to the
who.e country. Tine deep thought that there rested
upon his features, the anxiety on his brow, the
dishev lied hair, tod that the fire was burning
with q fervent glow within his brain, while the
pen IN his hand Was hesitating to sign the immor-
tai name or Lincoln.
'Does the gentleman pretend to say" said Mr.
Boute.le. OF Maine That Lincoln, as portrayed at
that crucial period or his career wnen engaged in
performing the grandest duty, was Insulating?
i tell the gentleman that he was UNFORTUNATELY
situated TO know the history Of his country at that
time"
'Such language as that" Mr.. OFerrall replied,
coming from that gentleman, who never loses an
opportunity 10 Use II, Is not the language OF q
brave man. / have always been taught that il
was cowardly 10 Kick and cum fallen foe. They
are towards only that do II, not brave men. IAp-
plaUse on the democratic sidel
Mr.. Boutelle-"Al!Ow me 10 "
Mr.. OFerrall-'.l do not yie,d. You can take
your own time"
Mr.. BJutelle-"I VIII { Ike my own tines
Nr. UFerran-"And 1 will take my time after
you"
MI. Boutele-"That Is the bravery to which YOU
allude.' Applause on republican s,del
Mr.. OFerrlll-"Weii, sir, IL IL the right Kind OF
bravery; yoa may bet your bottom dollar on that -
When he got an opportunity to reply, Mr.. Bo,.
telle said he cordially willing 20 accord TO the
gentleman the need OF Drav"ry IN one aspect anC,
IL required very peculiar KIND OF bravery IN any
Ran 10 stand up before the American people and
attempt 10 pluck iroin the brow OF the rnartyred
Lincoln so much as single withered laurel leaf.
placed there by the common consent OF the civil,
lied world for the performance OF an act which
would live IS long the history OF liberty should
survive. In this respect he conceded 10 tn. gen.
tleman a full need OF that sort OF bravery which
hal been Illustrated by the line of poetry which
said: "Ihingpmegees rush In where what.you-
may -cal-eins fear 10 tread" [Laughterl He Olr
BOutelie) had frequently heard Hannibal Hamlin
say thai Lincoln had confded 10 him his purpose
10 iSsue the proclamation long before II was mace
known To his Cabinet That proclamation had
been signed unhesitatingly and after careful con.
slderatiOD-