The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-08

preventative men. both In the North and
IN the South are to be taken as indicating
the true sentiments Of our common coun-
try, l for one do not see why. this bill
should be Defeated or postponed because
some war veterans are still engaged in
Ina glnation in fighting the battles OF
GIGS.
It seems to me, Mr. President, that
forty years of wandering In the viii
derness of passion and prejudice en-
fgendered ), by. the war. Is enough. II
a few over-zealous partisan in both
sections Of the, country are determined to
stay on this side Of Jordan, and keep
us on this side of the Potomac, insist
that the great hosts of patriots shall no
longer be retarded in their onward march
to the7land of promise, where. those who
Wore the blue and those who wore the
gray, and their sons shall sit down to-
rgether in their Fathers house and for
get that sad period of estrangement
which separated us. In their joyous re-
union of hearts and hands to make and
keep this great country In tho forefront
of the nations of the earth.
am glad of the opportunity to test the
professions Of friendship and brotherly
love. by resolution offered in Congress
to have the statue of our immortal Lee
placed among those whom the whole
people delight to honor. If any of our
congressman desire to give expression to
any hostility toward the South and her
heroes in this way let them speak. If l
am right in believing that no representa-
tive In Congress will do such a thing, /
want to know 1t. If am deceived in
my faith In regard to this matter OF the
unity of this nation, let me be lnde-
ceived.
A STRONG APPEAL.
4 When l look over this Senate Chamber
and recognize Ito mel the painful fact
that of the forty members of the Vir-
ginla Senate, ] am confronted by thirty
seven of then, who differ from me in
politics ! might we'll pause in any effort
to take any great part In trying to shape
the legislation by this body; but when
remember that every day since ! have
been q member of this body ! have been
th'a recipient Of courtesles and have been.
accorded suoh consideration at tho hands
OF every member of this body | forget We
differ on political lines. MY pleasant as
sociat0ns hero with my political oppo-
nents doubtless has something to do with
impelling mo to insist on the passage of
this bill that It may be demonstrated to
all that the same sentiments will prompt
all the members of our national Congress
to forget the past and face the future ms
a reunited country of brothers and fell
lows who are as jealous for the honor
OF the Stars and Stripes, as we Of the
South were for the Stars and Bars.
No man on this floor Will regret more
than ] viii every vote In opposition to
the passage OF this bill May we not
hope that n good nights sleep and pleas
ant{dreams of the few men who are In
clined to oppose the passage OF this bill
have dispeled the fearful nightmare
that has preyed upon their sensitive
minds as to induce them to hear only the
feeble voice of tho few who feel that they
are called upon to speak Of our horo MS a
traitor to his country, Those who have
uttered these dlscordant notes arc more
to be ptied than to be blamed, They are
entitled to our commlseration rather than
our censure.