The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-27
SENATOR BUTLER
WITHORAWS
HIS AMENDMENT
His Speech in Defence of
State Rights.
WAR FORCED ON SOUTH
BUTLER SAYS STATES WE'RE
FORCED TO FIGHT.
HIS DEBATE WITH SENATOR CHANDLER
Senator Bate Said this was no Time 10 Discuss
Civil War Issues. The Confederate
Soldiers Asked Nothing Tribute
10 cnlhharn Mnn1en
to Southern Women.

Washington, JAM 26-In the Senate |
today Mr.. Mason ullinois) announced |
that tomorrow morning he would ask
for vote on his resolution declaring |
it to be the policy of the United States
not to attempt to govern the people
of any other country without the con-
sent of the people themselves.
Mr.. Mallory (Florida) was then recog-
nized and made an anti-expansion speech,
pointing out some of the difficulties we
should have to encounter if we annexed
the Philippines. He concluded by say
ing that the policy it was now proposed
to enter on was menace to the re-
public itself.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Mallory's
speech, on motion of Mr.. Davis, chair
man of the Committee on Foreign Re
lations, at 2:30 p. m. the Senate went
into executive session.
At 4:30 D. M, the Senate resumed busi-
ness in open session. The Pension Ap-
preparation Bill was taken up at the
instance of Mr.. Perkins, (Cal), in charge
of the measure and it was read. The
bin appropriates $145.233.83
Mr. Sullivan. (Miss), offered AM
amendment providing that no pension
should be paid any person as dependent
pcnsioner under the act Of June, 1890,
who had an income of 500 annually
and further that a dependent pensioner
must affirlnatiyely establish the fact
that he has no income Of $3.50 before
he can draw a pension.
Mr.. Gallinger. IN H., chairman of
the Pensions Committee, said that at
first blush he was inclined to favor the
amendment. He believed Congress
might well place some restriction upon
the granting of pensions to applicants.
He pointed out that a widow having an
income of 500 was not eligible under
the act of 1890 to obtain pension.
Mr.. Perkins made the point of order
against the amendment that it was new
legislation. The point of order was sus-
tained.
Mr.. Butler, North Cardinal. offered
his amendment providing for the pay
lnent of pensions to Confederate, as well
as to Union soldiers. He delivered a
speech in support of it.
His speech attracted a great deal of
attention. After calling up his proposed
amendment to the Appropriation Bill for
the purpose of giving expression to his
views. the Senator withdrew the amend
ment. explaining that he did so in re-
sponse to the desire of the Confederate
veterans. His speech was closely listen
cd to by a full Senate, and his con-
troversy with Senator Chandler and
Senator Bates strong disclaimer on the
part of the Confederate veterans, were
special features of the Senate's afternoon
debate.
After presenting an analysis of the
compact of 1857. Mr. Butler declared
that mot a single Southern soldier was
a rebel or a traitor" He maintained
that the great fratricidal conflict was
forced upon the South, and that the peo-
pie of the South simply defended their
personal and constitutional rights.
Under the compact of 1877, the South
ern States undoubtedly, in Mr.. Buffers
opinion, had a right to withdraw from
the Union. He was inclined to think
the compact was not right but was
compact and ought to be, and ought
to have been respected.
Mr.. Butler said that his own State Of
North Carolina fully and completely
recognized the right Of South Carolina
to withdraw from the Union, hut decided
HefselI NOT 10 WitndfaW. IL was Hot
until forced to defend herself that North
Carolina too, withdrew, together with
her sister Southern States.
This, Mr.. Butler said was true Of
a majority of the Southern States. They
had been forced by the Northern States
to take up arms in self-defense."
Every gun fired by a Southern sol
der" declared Mr.. Butler, was fired in
defense of the constitutional rights
of the Southern States. and in defense
of his home and iireside."
Further along, Mr.. Butler said, speak
ing Of the war of the Rebellion:
1T was most unnecessary war
The Southern States did not desire the
war. They asked only 10 be allowed to
exercise their constitutional rights, and
withdraw peacefully from the Union.
The South was right and history will
so record. The South knew she was
right Mt the time, and she knows it now.
1t is the duty of the Southern people not
TO permit a prejudiced historian to brand
their fathers and brothers as rebels and
traitors"
''Iie believed that the States whose
soldiers were being pensioned wcld not