The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-27
Confederate Pension Proposition In
troduced by POpuIist Butler for
Speech-Mal1ing Purposes.
TILT WITH MR.. CHANDLER
MIR. BATES REPLY TO THE NORTH
CAROLINA AGITATOR.
Senator Mason Determined to Secure
Vote ON His Anti-Annex-
alton Resolution.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-As the Senate
seemingly was about to conclude considera-
ton of the pension appropriation bill late
this afternoon Mr. Butler (Populist, n. CD
offered his amendment, announced some
time ago, providing for the pensioning of ex-
Confederate soldiers. Upon this he took the
floor and delivered a speech which, as he
proceeded, developed into most unexpected
utterance While his colleagues on both
sides of the chamber listened with interest,
Mr. Butler defended the position taken by
the South during the great civil conflict OF
a third of century ago. He declared that
the South was right and that history would
so record, and that every shot fired by
Southern soldier was fired in defense of the
rights of his State, conferred by the Consti-
tuition, in self-defense and in defense of his
home and fireside. Mr.. Bate (Dem., TENN,
himself a distinguished Confederate officer
declared that while the South believed it
was right, the occasion was not opportune
for the proposition which Mr.. Butler had
made and that the Southern soldiers as
body did not desire pensions from the gen.
eraI government, and he expressed his sat
isfaction that Mr.. Butler had withdrawn
his amendment.
At the opening of the session Mr.. Platt
of New York and Mr.. Berry, of Arkansas,
nee Ct a speech on Mr. Vests
anti-expansion resolution. Mr.. Platt will
speak tomorrow Immediately after morning
business and Mr.. Berry next Tuesday at
the same time Mr.. Platt's speech will be
the first he has delivered in the Senate since
he became member the last time.
A bill providing Mount Vernon Square, in
this city, as a site for d public library to
be erected by Andrew Carnegie at a cost
of $3.50, Geo. as a gift to the city of Wash
ington. was discussed for a considerable
time but was laid aside under objection.
Mr. Mason announced that tomorrow he
would ask for a vote on his resolution de-
| claring it to be the policy of the United
| States not to attempt to govern the people
of any other country without the consent
| of the people themselves Mr.. Mallory
| Dem, Fla.) then delivered a constitution
al argument in support of the Vest resolu-
| ton Mr.. Mallory opposed annexation of the
Philippines.
DEBATE ON THE PENSION BILL
After an executive session lasting nearly
two hours, the pension appropriation bill
was taken up at the instance of Mr. Perkins
| (Cal), in charge of the measure, and it was
read. The bill appropriates $145, $3.50.
Mr. Sullivan, of Mississippi, offered an
| dIIleUuulCIll plONlulHS llASAN llO pNAi0+S+A
should be paid to any person as a depend
ent pensioner under the June, 1880, law who
has an income of $3.50 annually; and. fur
Their that a dependent pensloner must at
Tentatively establish the fact that he has
not an income of $3.50 before he can draw
Mr.. Perkins made the point of order
against the amendment that 1t was new
legislation. The point of order was sus-
tanned.
Mr.. Butler then offered his amendment
providing for the payment OF pensions to
ConfedeIateS as well as to Union soldiers.
He delivered a speech in support of it. Mr..
Buffers speech developed, as ne proceeded,
into quite a remarkable utterance. After
presenting an analysis of the compact OF
1851, ne declared that mot a single South
ern soldier was a rebel or a traitor. he
maintained that the great fratricidal con-
fict was forced upon the South, and that
the people of the South simply defended
| their personal and constitutional rights.
Under the compact of 1877 the Southern
States, in Mr.. Buffers opinion, undoubtedly
had a right to withdraw from the Union.
He was inclined to think the compact was
not right, but it was a compact and ought
to have been respected.
Mr.. Butler said that his own State of
North Carolina fully and completely recog-
draw from the Union, but decided herself
not to withdraw. It was not until forced
to defend herself did North Carolina vote
to withdraw together with her Southern
States. They had been forced by the
Northern States to take up arms in self
defense. Every gun fired by a Southern
soldier declared Mr. Butler, was fired in
self-defense of the constitutional rights of
the Southern States, and in defense of her
home and fireside."
Further along Mr.. Butler said, speaking
| of the war of the rebellion 1T was most
unnecessary war. The Southern States did
not desire the war. They asked only to 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 at the time, and she knows it now.
to permit a preiudiced historian to brand
their fathers and brothers as rebels and
traitors He believed that the States
whose soldiers were being pensioned would
not object to the pensioning of the ex-Con-
federate soldiers.
BUTLERS TILT WITH CHANDLER.
Interrupting Mr.. Butler, Mr. Chandler
said he had no doubt the ex-soldiers of the
| North would be perfectly willing to set on
foot any reasonable testimonial of regard
and respect, but he did not see how the
government of the United States could rec
ognize, as Senator Butler had suggested,
those who had taken up arms against the
Union.
Mr.. Butler protested against the language
of Mr. Chandler as he had already ex-
planned, he said, that the South did not
take up arms against the Union except in
SeIf-defenSe
Il wish the senator would explain in
CURED MT CnanQIer, a little later, upon
what theory the United States government
could be asked to pay for property in the
South destroyed by the forces of the
Union?"
Whenever" replied Mr.. Butler, 1.-THE
senator will explain to me why we should
pay Spain $20.00O,000 for the privilege of not
being whipped by the Filipinos, l will an
swer his question"
For an answer to this question:" retorted
Mr. Chandler. Il must refer the senator to
the senior senator from Massachusetts [AIr.
HoarP lLaughter.]
At the conclusion of his speech Mr.. Butler
withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. Bate (Dem TENN, an ex-Confeder-
ate soldier of distinguished bravery in pre-
senting some resolutions in opposition to
the Butler amendment, expressed the belief
that this was not the time TO discuss the
issues of the civil war. The Confederate
soldiers, he said, were not here knuckling
and kneeling in order to obtain pensions
The South, aided by its glorious women had
thus far been able to care for its brave sol
diers. Monuments had been raised to them
the future. While he, in common with ev-
cry other ex-Confederate soldier. believed
the South was right in it's struggle. the dis
cussion of the question was a thing of the
past, and he was glad the amendment had
been withdrawn.
Mr.. Pettus Dem. Ala.) appealed to SEN
ators not TO attempt to renew the war. All
agreed that IL had ended at Appomattox,
and nobody wanted any more of it.
As several senators had expressed a desire
to speak on the pending bill, II went over
until the morning hour tomorrow Then,
at 6:25 motion of Mr.. Gallinger. the
Senate adjourned.
Preparing for the Reception.