The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-01-01
SENSIBLE OF THE SENATE.
HILLS BILL REMOVING CONFED-
ERATE DISABILITIES PASSED.

ERATE DISABILITIES PASSED.
Not A Dissenting voice---If the House
Does as Well the Country VIII Conclude
That the War is Ended---Tone of all the
Speeches Patriotic and Pacific.
WASHINGTON Dec. 24.-The Senate
today presented Christmas present
to the South as Mr.. Hill, of New
York, aptly characterized the bill re-
pealing the prospective disabilities,
passed at the close of the war against
the service of ex-Confederates in the
United States army or navy. The
passage of such repeal, without a
dissenting vote, in a Senate having a
Republican plurality and with North
ern Senators taking the initiative,
lent a gracefulness and significance
| in the action in marked contrast with
former war controversies. The South
ern Senators, with the exception of
Mr.. Daniel, of Virginia, took no part
lin urging the repeal, and several of
them, Including Mr.. Walthall and Mr..
Cockrell, who served in the Confed-
crate ranks, voted for postpone
ment by reference to committee. But
with such champions on the Republi-
can side of the chamber as Messrs.
Chandler, Hawley and Plat, and on
the Democratic side as Mr.. Hill and
Mr.. voorhees,, the repeal was readily
accomplished. In the two hours given
to speeches on the measure there was
the fullest expression of desire to
bury war animosities.
The Senate did little beyond debat-
ing and passing this bill. Mr.. Allen
offered a resolution, which was re-
ferred, urging Latin-American
Union, in which all the republics of
the Western hemisphere would make
common cause against European en-
croachments.
Mr.. Hill, in introducing the pro-
scriptive repeal bill, said it would be
O. most fitting and generous Christ
mas present to the men of the South.
MIR. Sherman, Rep. of Ohio, sug-
gested that there should be commit
tee consideration.
II will vote for this bill," said Mr..
Sherman; the time is past for such
discrimination, but the usual course
of committee action should be taken. "
Mr.. Chandler, Rep. of New Hamp-
shire, urged immediate action. Thirty
years had elapsed since the war.
There was no reason for keeping up
this prescription and there was abun-
dant reason for repeating it.
1.-THE other day." added Mr.. Chand-
ler, 1--WE came to the support OF a
Democratic President on question Of
national affairs and I sincerely hope
that the Senate will today without
criticism and without voice of op-
position, unanimously approve this re-
peal"
Mr.. Gray Dem. of Delaware), while
favoring the legislation, believed that
committee consideration would secure
the most satisfactory action.
Mr.. Hawley Rep.) responding to
some criticisms by Mr.. Gray as to
the course of former legislation in
this line said it was not to be won
dered at that there was some feeling
over Appromattox and Gettysburg.
This law followed the close of the
war. 1t was not proscriptive. 1t
was regarded at the time as perfect
| ly Just. The Senator said he had the
greatest respect personally for some
of these Confederate soldiers. But a
country that had any respect for it.
self was compelled at the close of a
great war to protect itself against
abuses of that day, when ex-Con-
federates frequently enlisted in the
Union armies Immediately after leav-
ing the Southern lines. The Senator
without opposing the measure, felt
that committee action would give the
step greater force if it was to be taken.
Mr.. Daniel Dem. of Virgina 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, dem. of IndianaJ ex.
pressed the hope that 'this last process
of healing" should he put into effect.
Already the Senate had confirmed the
civil appointments of General Long.
street and that other great Southern
soldier, second only to Lee"-Joe
johnson. Mr.. VOORHEES, said the re-
peal would actually accomlish little,
but it would be an expression of good
will.
Mr.. Platt (Rep. of Connecticut spoke
of the attacks made on him by South
ern newspapers because he suggested
the other day that this bill 60 10 the
committee. From one end to the
other of the South, said Mr.. Platt,
''the press condemns me, applies to me
all kinds of epithets, declares that I
am lacking in patriotism, and finally
sends me marked copies of their con-
demnation. But, continued Mr.. Plat,
'This country has forgiven much it is
ready to forgive more. And I am so
full of forgiveness on this day before
Christmas that am ready to forgive
these ex-Confederates and to join to-
day with the Senator from New York
(HilD in supporting this repeal"
Mr.. Allen, speaking as former pri-
vate in the Northern ranks, urged the
repeal and condemned the "bloody
flag" politics of the past. The Senator
caused some amusement by referring
to the time when the command with