The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-12-11

10 snow tnht tne 6OuJn mas pOlnteQ
with apparent pride to the course pur-
sued by Mr.. Davis ever since the close of
the war, we clip the following from
Harper's Weekly, under date of March
90, 1879:
On the night of March 8, long and
acrimonious debate took place in the
United States Senate, on the motion of
Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts,. to amend
the Pension Bill by excluding the name
of Jefferson Dayis from the roll OF the
Mexican war pensioners. The Demo-
cratic Senators were exceedingly bitter in
their remarks. "The most glowing
eulogies," says the Washington corre-
spondent Of the New York Tribune,
"were paid TO the leader Of the lost cause,
whose glory, II was said, exceeded that Of
Greece, and whose honors overtopped
those of Rome. He had not asked for a
pension; he would scorn pension; his
name was the synonym Of all that was
honorable and chivalilc, and he was en-.
shrined in the hearts Of the Southern peo-
pie as worthy 10 60 down in history with a
Washington and Hampden. His sins,
II was said, with apparent pride, were
those Of whole people, and his guilt
was shared by many now filling seats on
the floor Of the Senate" The most inter-
esting event Of the debate was the speech
Of Senator Chandler, of Michigan, made
about three O'Clock In the morning. He
said:
"Mr President, twenty years ago, l, in
company with Mr.. Jefferson Davis. stood
up in this Chamber, and with him swoIe
by Almighty God that l would support
the Constitution of the United States.
jefferson Davis came from the cabinet OF
Franklin Peirce into the Senate OF the
United States, and took the oath with me
TO be faithful to this government. Dur
ing four years l sat in this body with
jefferson Davis, and saw the preparations
going on from day to dav for the over
throw Of this government With treason
In his heart and perjury upon his lips he
took the oath to sustain the government
that he meant to overthrow.
"Sir, there was q method in this mad.
madness. He, in cooperation with other
men from his section and in the cabinet
of Mr.. Buchanan, made careful prepa
ration for the event that was to follow
Your armies were scattered all over this
broad land, where they could not be used
in an emergency. Your fleets were
scattered wherever the winds blew and
water was found to float them. where
they could not be used to put down {
rebellion. Your Treasury was depleted
until your bonds, bearing six per cent
interest payable in coin, were sold fo
eighty-eight cents on the dollar for cur
rent expenses, and no buyers were found
Preparations we're carefully made. You
arms were sold, under an apparently In
nocent clause in an army bill, providing
that the Secretary Of War might, In hi
discretion, sell such arms as lie deemed
fit for the government to sell.
"Sir, eighteen years ago last month
sat in this hall and listened to Jefferson
Davis delivering his farewell address, In
forming US what our constitutional dutiei
to this government were, and then he lef
and entered into arebellion to overthrow
the government that he had sworn TO sevre
"I remained here, Sir, during the Who'll,
of that terrible rebellion. | saw oul
brave soldiers by thousands-l nigh
almost say millions-as they passed on Il
the theatre Of the war. 1 saw theil
shattered ranks returning. / saw steam
boat after steamboat. and railroad
train after railroad train, bringing bach
the wounded. was with my friend [poin
ing 10 General Burnsidel when hc com
manded the Army Of the Potomac, and saw
piles Of legs and arms that would make
humanity shudder. saw the widows and
orphans made by this war
"Mr. President, little thought at thai
time that | should live to hear in the
Senate of the United States eulogies upon
Jefferson Davis living-a living rebel-on
the floor of the Senate Of the United
States. Sir, am amazed to hear II, and
can tell the gentlemen on the other side
that they little know the spirit Of the
North when they come here at this day,
with bravado on their lips, utiering
eulogies upon him whom every man,
woman, and child In the North believes TO
have been double-dyed traitor"
Mr.. Davis was Secretary Of War under
President Pelrce, and 1t has been the
custom since the formation Of The govern.
meni TO drape the Department in mourn
ing upon the death Of an ex-Cabinet
officer, but the Secretary ol War has de-
cided not N do 80 IN this case. The
deceased has been an unrepentant rebel
ever since the close Of the wsr and has
used his entire influence, in silence, 10
clog the wheels Of progress, and at the
same time enjoying all the privileges Of
the government. The Secretary's course
Is commendable one, and should be ap-
proved OF by every loyal citizen.