The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-25
JUSTICE DONE At LAST
PROSCRIPTIyE DISABILITIES ssF
Ex.CONFEDER sTEs
REPEALED
PASSED IN SENATE UNANIMOUSLY

Southern Senators Toak no Part in
Urging The Rep zeal But Some OF Them
vsted tor Postponement--Ful Ex-
pressions on the Part of Aosthern
Senators OF Desire TO isnrt N Var
Anim0sities.- Resolution for Formi.
tion OF ia.Ameriean Unioa.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.-The Sen
ate to-day presented Christmas pres
ent to the South,as Mr.. Hill, of New
York, appropriately characterized the
bill repeating the proscriptive disa-
bilities. passed at the close of the war,
against the service of ex-Confederates
in the United States army and navy.
The passage of such repeal, with
out dissenting vote, in Senate hav-
ing a Republican plurality and with
Northern Senator's taking the inltia-
tive. lent gracefulness and significance
TO the action in marked contrast with
former war controversies in Congress.
The Southern Senators, with the ex-
ception of Mr.. Daniel, of Virginia, took
no part in urging the repeal, and sew
eral of them, including Mr.. Walthall
and Mr.. Cockrell, who served in the
Confederate ranks, voted for a post
ponement by reference to committee.
But with such champions on the Re-
publican side of the chamber as
Messrs. Chandler, Hawley and Platt,
and on the Democratic side as Mr.. Hill
and Mr.. Voorhees,, the repeal was read
ily accomplished. In the two hours
given TO speeches on the measure there
was the fullest expression of a desire
to bury war animosities.
The Senate did little beyond debat-
ing and passing this bill. Mr. Allen
offered resolution, which was re-
ferred, urging Latin-American union,
in which all the republics of the West
ern Hemisphere would make common
cause against European encroach-
ments
Mr.. Hill in introducing the proscrip-
tive repeal bill said it would be a most
fitting and generous Christmas present
TO the men of the South.
Mr.. Sherman, (Republican) suggest
ed there should be committee consid-
Grafton. II will vote for this bill,
said Mr. Sherman. THE time is past
for such discrimination. But the us
ual course of committee action should
be taken"
Mr.. Chandler. iRepublican. \. H.
urged immediate action. Thirty years
had elapsed since the war. There was
no reason for keeping this prescription
and there was abundant reason for re-
pealing it. 'sThe other day." added
Mr.. Chandler, I'VE came to the. support
of Democratic President on a ques-
ton of National affairs. and ] sincere
ly hope that the Senate will to-day,
without criticism and without voice
of opposition, unanimously approve
this repeal"
Mr.. Gray. democrat, Delaware)
while favoring the legislation believed
committee action would secure the
most satisfactory action.
Mr.. Hawley Republican, Connecti-
eut), responding to some criticisms by
legislation in this line, said it was not
TO be wondered at that there was some
feeling over Appomattox and Gettys-
burg This law followed the close of
the war. 1t was not proscriptive. 1t
was regarded at the time as perfectly
Just. The Senator said he had the
greatest respect personally for some of
these Confederate soldiers. But a
country that had any respect for itself
was compelled, at the close of a great
war, to protect itself against abuses Of
that day, when ex-Confederates fire.
quently enlisted in the Union armies
Immediately after leaving the South
ern lines. The Senator, without oppos-
ing the measure, felt that committee
action would give the step greater
force if it was 10 be taken.
Mr. Daniel democrat. Virginia.
spoke of the wish of the South To have
one country and one people. When
the war closed the South laid down its
arms. 1t was anxious now to obliter-
ate the fierce memories of the war.
Mr. Daniel presented the memorial of
the Virginia Legislature, urging this
repeal and also commencing the Presi-
dents message on Venezuela.
Mr.. Voorhees, Democrat, 1ndiana)
expressed the hope that this last pro
cess of healing should be put into
effect. Already the Senate had con
firmed the civil appointments of Gen.
Longstrect and that other great South
ern soldier. second only to Lee" Joe
johnson Mr. Voorhees, said the repeal
would actually accomplish little. but
it would be an expression of good will.
Mr.. Platt, Republican, Connecticut)
spoke of the attacks made on him BY
Southern newspapers because he sug-
gested the other day that this bill go
10 committee From one end 10 the
other of the South" said Mr. platt,
"the press condemns me, applies 10 me
all kinds OF epithets, declares that | am
lacking ia patriotism, and finally
sends me marked copies of their CON
demnations. "But," continued Mr.
Platt, this country has forgiven
much; ii is ready to forgive more. And
] am so full OF forgiveness on this day
before Christmas that | am ready to
forgive the ex-Confederates and to join
to-day with the Senator from New
York. atm in supporting this APP
peal.
Mr. Allen. speaking as a former pri-
yate i'm the Northern ranks, urged the
repeal and condemned the Bloody
flag" politics of the past. The Senator