Year: 1879

While the traitors and rebels of 1861 to
1865, who have been returned to the United
States Senate from the late rebellious States
were eulogzing JEFF DAVIS the other even
ing with remarkable zeal and devotion,
they aroused the attention and ire of Sena-
tor CHANDLER and instead of swinging the
British lion by his tail he seized the late
rebels and handled them for few minutes
in the following stalwart manner:


Mr.. PRESIDENT Twenty years ago, I, in
company with JEFFERSON DAVIS stood up in
this chamber and with him sworc by Almighty
God that | would support the Constitution OF
the United States. Mr.. JEFFERSON DAVIS
came direct from the Cabinet of FRANKLIN
PIERCE into the Senate of the United States
and took the oath with me to be faithful to the
Government During four years sat in this
body with JEFFERSON DAVIS and saw the
preparations going OH from day to day for the
overthrow of this Government. With treason
In his heart and perjury upon his lips he took
the oath to sustain the Government that he
meant to overthrow. Sir, there was method
in this madness. He, in cooperation with
other men from his section, and in the
Cabinet of Mr.. BUCHANAN, made careful
preparations for the event that was to follow.
| Your fleets were scattered wherever the winds
| blew and water was found to float them, where
| they could not be used to put down rebellion.
| Your armies were scattered all over this broad
land, where they could not be used in an emcr-
eency. Your Treasury was depleted until your
bonds bearing per cent interest, principal
and interest payable in coin, were sold for
eighty-eight cents on the dollar to pay current
expenses and no buyers. Preparations were
carefully made. Your arms were sold under
an apparently innocent clause in an army bill
providing that the Secretary of War might, in
| his discretion sell such arms as he deemed best
| for the interests Of the Government to sell.
Sir, eighteen years ago last month sat in this
hall and listened to JEFFERSON DAVIS deliver
| ing his farewell address-iniorming us what
our constitutional duties TO this Government
were-and then he left and entered into a re-
bellion to overthrow the Government that he
had sworn to support | remained here, sir,
during the whole of that terrible rebellion.
| | saw our brave soldiers by thouSands-l
might almost say millions-as they passed
through here to the theatre Of war. l saw
their shattered ranks returning. | saw steam
boat after steamboat and railroad train after
railroad train bringing back the wounded.
was with my friend from Rhode Island (Mr
BURNsIDE) when he commanded the army Of
the Potomac, and saw piles of legs and arms
that made humanity shudder. | saw the wild
ows and orphans made by this war and heard
them wall and mourn over the death of their
dearest and best.


Mr. President little thought at that time


that should live TO hear in the Senate Of the


United States eulogies upon JEFFERSON DAvI'
"a living rebel-on the floor of the Senate o.


tho United States. Sir, am amazed to heai


it aud can tell the gentlemen on tho othel
side that they little know the spirit of the


North when they come here at this day, with


brayado on their lips, uttering eulogies upor


him whom every man, woman, and child II


the North believe to have been double-dyet
traitor.


The effect of this sudden outburst of fer


yd eloquence was electric. The sensation


was intense, and when the Democrats at


tempted a reply it became apparent that th
stalwart Michigander had knocked then


out of wind and time, for they soon sub


sided and the debate ended. This efior


has the olden-time ring, and such rehearsal


of history in the face of Southern bravado /


an indication of returning health to the Re


publican party