Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-21
News Of Fifty Years Ago

Ii tn" special election to he held to-day to
Till vacancies in the Legislature ami the Office
for the Legislature. Thomas j. Evans and
Thomas II. Wynnc; for Commemorative at
torncy. ~ y. Sturdivant and II. u. Ward.
All eyes turned on Washington now Tho
Congress in session is making history as
no former Congress made it. The action
of this Congress may seal tho doom, of this
country il may make OF United States
what Cod intended it should lie. the greatest
nation under the dome OF heaven. The present
Such is the language of tho opening paragraph
Of long editorial i'll the New York Tribune.
Horace Grcccy's paper.
The North Carolina Legislature adjourned
yesterday to meet again February l. No law
was passed and no bill even presented looking
to tho government or protection OF The freed
Benjamin Robinson. editor of the Fayetteville.
\. C.. News. who arrested and taken
Raleigh 10y order of General Kruger. for articles
winch appeared in his paper said TO De un-
friendly to the government. has been admitted
TO bail.
Tie speech al rhad stevens in the lower
house OF Congress yesterday antagomist!c to
the South. OF the Interest Trades ever
heard in the Capitol building. His denunciation
OF Southern men was sonnet hing terrific, and in
conclusion lie declared that it is the duty of the
tnitcd states government TO treat and
every one of the Southern states conquered
vince. the government having conquered
them as enemies lie made the broad statement
that the states lately at war are in sense in
the Union. and must he held under the bayonct.
Congressman Henry raymond. OF New York.
replied To the bitter speech of Thad stevens
in the House. Mr.. Raymond favored the i'm
mediat" admission to the Union Of all OF the
Southern States. EIc followed in brief
speeches by four other New York Representa-
tvcs. who agreed with him fully.
President Iohnson's special message to con
sresS. in which he SPOKE kindly of the southern
rapidly returning. to their allegiance to tho
old flag, caused Senator Sumner. of Mnssa-
chrsetts. 4" make intensely bitter speech in
which he characterized Mr. Johnson's message.
General Grants report and that Of General
Howard as mere white wash: as documents
only parallecd 10y the message Of Pierce tho
KANSAS affair Said he: There was but one
Kansas then. now there are eleven and this
only makes Johnson. Grant and Howard eleven
TIRES worse than Pierce" Senator Doolittle of
Wisconsin, appealed TO the cnraEcd Massachu-
s. It's senator 10 modify his remarks. especially
as TO Generals Grant and Howard. but sumner.
almost frothiuS at tho mouth. declared he would
tear his heart out first.
General Grants report. which tho T'residcnt
yesterday transmitted to the Senate. briefly
reviews his tour OF inspection throughout the
South. and states he Is satisfied the mass Of the
thinking men in the South accept tho present
situation OF affairs in good faith He further
remarks: My observations lead To tic con
clusion that the citizens Of the South anxious
10 return 10 self government within the Union
possible. and that whilst recon
structing they want and require protection
f"on, the government. In the interior where tho
negro population is great. there should be
tened only white soldiers OF the army; tho
ScoG of the common country requires this
The House Of Representatives yesterday. by
almost unanimous vote. adopted amendment
10 the Constitution providing AGAINST any
sumption Of IN" payment. by the United States.
OF amy debt incurred By the late Confederate
states, "r any state thereof.
The House bill providing for negro suffrage
in the District OF Columbia yesterday post
poucd until the 10th Of January next. end this
done at the request OF Western members,
whose states being overrun by negroes from
Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi.