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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 1905)
4S IS THIS FOOTBALL IMf & A. M U mdlMV AT MJ 1 if 71 MLX H Hf I I Ml M Witt mj IrKW THE Amalgamated Brotherhood of Horooji and Villains, after a ses sion lasting well nigh to daybreak, had decided to form a football eleven and send forth a challenge to all the world of letters. It had been suggested that PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF JUDGE GEORGE H.WILLIAMS WHEN Congress assembled on the 4th of December, 1SG5, the all absorbing' question was as to the policy to be pursued with reference to the rebellious states. Andrew John son qualified as Prosidont n few hours after the death of Mr. Lincoln, and, as he had breathed out venom and ven geance towards tho rebellion, and es pecially against its leader, there was n general apprehension that under his administration it would be difficult to reconcile the conflicting: sections of the country. I do not exactly know what means were employed to metamorphose Mr. Johnson from an intense enemy to an ardent friend of those who had been in tho Robollion. Johnson had been hutod and dospisod by the Klave-holding- aristocracy of the South be cause by birth he was ono of the "poor white trash" of that section, and by his industry and energy had worked him self into a position of prominence where. Recording to the opinion of the ruling class in the South, ho had no right to be. Mr. Johnson, while he possessed considerable abilltj;, was weak with vanity, and aftor he became President these same people who had despised -and contemptuously treated him flocked to the White House with professions of friendship, and, though I do not know the fact, 1 believe they gave him assurances that if ho would stand in with them they would sup port him for President at the next Presidential election. Be that as it may, the fact is he was suddenly converted from a rancorous 1 enemy into a fervid friond, and Judg ing from his actions entered into an alliance with the lenders of the rebel lion to re-establish their domination in the Southern States. He assumed the absolute right to reorganize these states without any reference whatever to congress, and without making any provision for Union men or the protec tion of those who had been in slavery. Hereafter 1 Khali have more to say about Mr. Johnson. Preparing- for llccoiistruction. "When Congross assembled the Re publicans were very much dissatisfied with the course of the Prosldent, and more than dissatisfied when in his first message he assumed that Congress had nothing to do with the reconstruction of the rebellious states oxcepting to Judge of tho election and qualifications of its own members. On the oth of December. J86r. Mr. Stevens Introduced into the House a Joint, afterwards changed to a concurrent resolution, providing for the appointment of a joint committee of tho two houses of 35. nine from tho Houso and six from the Senate, to Inquire Into the condi tion of the states whioh formed the so c&llcd Confederate States, and report whether they or any of them are en titled to be represented in either houso of Congress, and to report by bill or otherwise. This resolution "was sub sequently adopted by the Senate. Res olutions were also adopted that all bills, resolutions and propositions rel ative to the Confederate States should be referred toihls Joint committee, and M' 11 Ik H"fe m V V. IB f W li H H Wi . f games might be arranged with a. team from the Union of Historical Dood Ones, while, should that not prove possible, ex hibition games with a scrub second would still be welcome diversion from the pres ent sole source of amusement of watch No. III. Restoring Order in tKe also that such committee should have power to send for persons and papers, and $10,000 was appropriated to pay the expenses of witnesses and other expenses incurred by the committee. Pursuant to said resolution, Thaddeus Stevens, EUhu Washburn, Justice S. Morrill, John A. Bingham, Roscoe Conkling, George S. Boutwell, Henry T. Blow, A. J. Rogers and Honry Glnd er were the House members, and Will iam Pitt Fcssenden, James W. Grimes, Ira Harris, Jacob M. Howard, Bever Idge Johnson and George H. Williams the Senate members of said committee. Subcommittees of this committee wcro ralsoJ. to each of which was assljmcd the auty of Inquiring Into the condi tion of a subdivision of the Southern States. Pen Picture of Robert K. Ixc. It foil to my lot to Inquire into lb con dition of Virginia. I icnt for an'd exam ined several persons from that state, among others General Robert B. Lee. I had never soon the General and was glad of an opportunity to meet him. Knowing when he would be at my committee-room, I asked Mr. Stevens if he would not like to call upon the General. "No." said Stevens. "Damn him, I don't want to see him until ho has paid me for the cattle of mine he stole when he was in Penn sylvania," referring to a foraging raid made by some of the soldiers of Lee's army in which they appropriated to their own use some cattle belonging to Mr. Stevens. When Gonerul Leo came to my room, before 1 commenced his examina tion an a witness I tried to engage hlra in conversation, but he was very reticent He seemed to be abstracted as though his mind were full of thoughts lie did not care to express. 'General Lee was a splcn- did-looklng man. I think that it might be said of him so far as his personal ap pearance was concerned, ns well as of any othor. that he was one upon whom "every God had set his 6eal to give the world assurance of a man." He was dig nified, quiet and modest in his deportment. He answered my questions in a frank and courteous manner. He seemed to be de pressed, and I saw or thought I saw upon his fine face the shadow of a deep and abiding sorrow. One can imagine his feel ings as ho sat in the Capitol, with the Stars and Stripes waving triumphantly over his head, surrounded by all the evi dences of success in war and prosperity iu peace; In full view of Arlington, his once happy home, with Its stately mansion and beautiful grounds, now a graveyard for thousands of dead soldiers; his bright prospects before the rebellion as the most popular officer in the United States Army, all given up to be defeated In a wicked, wretched and disastrous war for the de struction of the American Union. How much better 1t would have been for him and all concerned If, like that sturdy old hero, George H. Thomas, of Tennessee, he had stood by the old flag under which he fought with distinction and honor upon the plains of Mexico! General Lee came directly from the cars to the Capitol, and "left hurriedly after he was through with his business, and I do not believe he visited a place, and excepting to railroad THE SU3TDAY OREGOXIAX, PORTLAXB, DECEMBER 3, 1905. TEAM AN INVINCIBLE ONE? ing Charon bring the daily boat te wharf off the Asbestos Arms. The debate bad been long because of interest in the mat ter, and not because of opposition te it, for when the vote was taken it stood 75 to i Wllhelm Meister. Doctor Thome, Si las Maraer and Vicar Primrose being the only ones to disprove the scheme. A committee was then named to choose the team and make such arrangements for its training and support as might seem necessary, and the Brotherhood poured out into the first gray of a Stygian morn ing with a "Rah! Rah! Rah!" as ragged as Man Friday's sole garment. The committee had not departed with the others, and now stood in a little group about their chairman. Mr. Sherlock officials spoke a word to any one outside of my committee-room while he was in Washington. Hectoring Order in the South. Congress was In hubbub over affairs in the South. Numerous resolutions wore offered and speeches made, but nothing was agreed to and nothing accomplished. I suggested to some of the older Senators that Congross was ongaged In a losing fight; that it availed nothing to .stand still and find fault with the President's proceedings, and that it was necessary that Congress sliould have an a g groove and affirmative polio or a substitute in order to defeat the reconstruction plan of President Johnson. The suggestion were approved, but. no nrtlon taken. One even ing as 1 sat in my room in the National Hotel, brooding over this troublesome question, it occurred to me that I could prepare a bill that would meet the exigencies of the situation. Accordingly, devoting the whole night to the work, I drafted a hill of which the following is a copy, excepting one or two verbal changes. "A bill for the more efficient government of the Insurrection Mates": "Where, the pretended Rlate covrra- Ennobling Effect of Christian Teachings on Character Homer and Text: Romans 1:16. T am net ashamed of 1 the gospel f Christ." PIRST of all. we may le proud of the great names associated with the his tory of Christianity. This is the test of every religious system by their fruits you shall know them. Wc must be ashamed of any moral system that In prejudicial to character starving the rea son or weakening the wllL But when we go back into the past, how Innumerable the names of the great men associated with the church, and how glorious their fame! We are not ashamed of the re formers, who arc disciples of ChrisL Among thc?e groat men, who heard the word, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of these little ones, ye have done it unto me." is that hero of the church in the catacombs who made him self the patron of babes and orphan chil dren, and reared them In a- life of purity and wisdom. Nor must we forget the work of those disciples in the third cen tury, who made their homes to be asy lums for the blind, the deaf, the lame and the halt; nor that Christian Prince in the fifth century who. in gratitude to the Christ who had redeemed him from his career of licentiousness, dedicated his palace and his estate to the cause of those wrecked women in the Roman city, to whom he read the story of Christ's pit to that weeping girl. Then comes Bernard, the friend of the peas ants: John Howard, with his mission to the prisoners in the dungeon; Cromwell. with his enthusiasm for the serf. In the hour when he destroyed feudalism and made the middle classes posclble. And what shall we more say of Mary Ware, with her mercy In the time of the black death, and Florence Nightingale In the Crimea, and the Christian woaen In the zoosrJ Holme?. "From that faint strip of pink, there to the oast," said he. "I can see that it will soon be day. while the speaking of something within me suggests that a cup of hot coffee would not come amiss." "Wonderful!" murmured Uncle Toby, and the live figures filed away toward the rooms in a subterreslrial Baker street where tobacco and long deliberation awaited them. It was hours later when the Count of Monte Cristo arose from the council table. "With a glance at his - heavily Jeweled watch (a present from an Italian bandit) he said: "Gentlemen. I must beg permission tc leave you. I have an engagement, and there is left me Just the time to be punc tual to my customary second. But first, my compliments upon so satisfactory a conclusion of so weighty a matter. And I? I shall bear well In mind the honor able part you have allowed me to play. I shall not forget. Adieu." "A very pleasant-spoken gentleman." re marked John Sliver, as the door closed. States of SoutHern Confederacy. ments of the late o-calIed Confederate Stat of VI rein U. North Carolina. South Carolina. Georgia. Mississippi. Alabama. LouliUna. Florida. Texas and Arkansas were set to without Use u Iherlty of Congrem and without the sanction of the people, and TVberea. said pretended government afford no adequate protection for life er prccrty. but countenance and enceur ase lawlessness and crime; and. Vberess. It Is necessary that pe&M and rood orer should be enforced In m!4 o-ealted states until loyal and re publican tate covrmmenta can be le gally established. Therefore, be It Enacted by the Senate and House of Representative In Congress asiembled. That the so-called states ehall be di vided la' i military districts and made subject to the military authority of the I'ntted States as hereinafter prescribed, ami for that purpose Virginia, shall cea rAJtute the first district. North Carolina, and Snuth Carolina the second district. 0rgta. Alabama and Florida tb third district. Mlwasslspl and Arkn the fourth district, and Louisiana and Texas the fifth dlrtrirt- f?e-. Z. And be It further enacted that It shall be the duty nf the President to assign to the command of each of ald districts an officer of the Regular Army not below the rank of Brlgadler Keneral to detail a Mifflrlent fore to enable such officer to perform his du ties and enforce his authority within the dbcrtct to which he Is assigned. Sec. X And be It further enacted that It shall be the duty of each officer aj 4cned as aforesaid to protect all per fori in their lights of person and prop erty, to suppress Insurrection, disorder and violence, and to punish or cause to army, and the movetnents for the waifs in the great cities, the emancipation of the slaves. It is said that wc see only a few thousand stars, for the reason that the horizon Is but nine miles away from our eyes, but untold millions llo beyond the horizon. Not otherwise Is It impos sible for us to look at more than a. few of the grcaj: names that sdorn the his tory of Christianity. Great Leaders of Thought. You admire eloquence and oratory The Paul who made Felix to tremble. Chrysostom. the golden-mouthed, Am brose, the eloquent Savonarola, the monk who could conquer a city, and compel Leo the Magnificent to fall upon hit knees and grovel In the dust, and Ber nard, the trumpet of Europe, and John Hampden, the patrician scholar. Edmund Burke, with bis tropic genius, and Mas slllon and Whitfield. Webster and Beech er. and Brycc and Gladstone: why let each of these great names stand for a hundred orators, and you will understand only In part the spell that Jesus Christ ha cast upon these great minds who have dedicated their unrivaled gifts to the exposition of his truth. Do you say that the scientists have not been Chris tians? You cannot make a greater mis take. What great college of this coun try- has not delighted to bestow honors and degrees upon such men as Lord Kel vin? But who does not know that Lord Kelvin is not simply a member, but an officer In bis church In Scotland? Coper nicus and Kepler were Christians. Isaac Newton tells us that hi first enthusiasm was for the four gospels, and after that for the, studies related to h!s "Princf pis." What preachers have written more convincingly of the ctetas of Carta tl "One envies him his luck, lie succeeded where I failed; but I bear him no grudge for that." "lie has shown himself most generous," said Nathan, the Wise, scntentlously. "Wc must not forget that he has single-handed volunteered to see the team through, so far as money may be concerned." "I have reason to believe that Prince Sarasclnesca and Allan Quartennaln are in with him in that arrangement," was the comment of the chairman, as he squat ted comfortably on a mat near the fire place and lit another cigar. "Before we left Old Memories Hall I saw the three In close conversation, and everyone knows that tho Prince feels comfortably rich now that he has come into his property. As for Quartennaln. his African mines pay him magnificently." There was an Instant's lull in the con versation as one and the other turned to look for hat and coat. Then it was Silver who spoke again, half-hantcrlngly. yet all present knew that beneath that exterior lay a mental acumen which had lv punished all disturbem of the pub llr peace and criminal, and to thl.i end he may allow civil tribunals to take Jurisdiction of and try offenders, or. when In his judgment It may be necessary for the trial of offender, he shall have power to organize military cemralsslORS or tribunals for that pur poe. anything In the constitution or lawn of the so-called states to the con trary notwithstanding, and all legis lative and Judicial proceedings or processes to prevent the trial or pro ceedings of such tribunals and all inter ference by said pretended state gov ernments with the exercise of military authority under this act shall be void and of no effect. Sec. 4. And be It further enacted, that court and Judicial officers or tbe United States rhall not Issue writs of habeas corpus la behalf of persons tn military custody unless some commls slmed officer on duty In the district wherein the person so detained shall Indonte upon !d petition a. statement certifying, upoa hon-jr. that he h knowledge or Information an to the cause- and rirrunutasces of the alleged detention, and that he believes the ram to t rightful; an.J. further, that b b-lleves that the Indorsed petition l preferred In rood faith and In fur therance of Justice, and not to hinder or delay the punishment of crime. All persons put under military arrest by virtue of this act shall be tried with out unnecessary delay, and no cruel or HBnrml punishment shall b- inflicted. Sec. 5. And be It further enacted, that so sentence of any military com mtsstoa or tribunal hereby authorised affecting the life or liberty of any per son shall be executed until it U ap anlty than Sir Humphrey Davy and Mi chael Faraday, than Professor Dawson and Le Comte. Talt and Balfour? The great Intellects, that like Samson have been strong enough to handle the largest Ideas, have dedicated their Intellectual strength to his service. It is possible to be ashamed of weak men. of Ignorant men. and of Imbecile men: we never can be ashamed of Dante with his genius, or Milton or Shakespeare with their many-sidede splendor, or Tennyson or Lowell with their gifts divine. We look upward toward these leading minds, and arc proud of our relationship to them. "Wo Arc Proud or Christianity's x . Teachings-. The gTeat themes that Christianity V presents evoke-pride and make shame Impossible. Tho pages of the gospels are filled with the ideas Immeasurably great. Among them are the following: Is there a God? Is he disinterested In his affection? Is he of a truth our Father? Can a man be made Just In the sight of his Maker? Is character permanent? Is there a meeting place of the dead? If so. upon what grounds do you cherish this faith in immortali ty? What themes are like these? Sue ly the mind must be exalted by the very discussion of these lofty thoughts. We sink to the level of our lowest planes, we rise to the height of our noblest ideals. Small thoughts de grade the thinker, great ones ennoble him. The difference between a states man and a peasant Is the difference la the topics upon which they have thought for years. The one thinks of the rick and the fodder in it. and the beasts that he feeds, and the other Eleven Men Chosen From. Heroes and Villains of Ro mance, and Coached by Sherlock Holmes proved of inestimable value to them as the claims of first one and then another candidate had been presented. "As I understand it." said he. "our re port Is to be presented to the Brother hood tomorrow evening, and by the chair man here?" Holmes bowed slightly. "Farther." continued the prince of ras cals, "that this some detective of ours has agreed to coach the men?" Another bow from the figure on the mat. "And that our own work Is now" completed." "Pray read us the report as it now stands." suggested Toby, refilling his pipe, and then, beckoning to an ancient negro standing in the background, he added. "Uncle Tom. fill the glasses." A moment of silver clink and liquid gurgling followed; then the host and head of the meeting: took from his wallet a neatly folded paper, slowly opened It. laid his cigar by him on the edge of the hearth, and read: Tour committer begs to report that, pursuant to four honorable instructions, it hu debated fully the claims of all candidates for position on a football eleven to be formed from members of the Amalgamated Heroes and Villains, and now places in nomination the somis -which follo-ar. Our aim has been to relect those moat likely to bring untarnished success to your plan of entering a team In the field of fiction, and our decision as now gtren has been reached only after the merits of several score of worthy crntlemen k&Te been carefully pcrutln Ixed. Our center trip comprises .weight tviih ajrsresstven; oar tackle are heavy men. yet noted for activity and snap: our end are as speedy of foot proved by the officer In command of the district, and the laws and regula tions of the Army sna.ll not be affected by this act except so far as they con flict with Its provision. I will say that in preparing this bill I had no desire to oppress or Injure the people of the South, but my sole purpose was to provide a system by which all classes would be protected in life. liberty and property until they could recover somewhat from the dissensions and dis order of the war and provide themselves In an orderly manner with governments In harmony with the Union and Consti tution of the United States. Passed AVlthouL Amendment. The recital in the preamble of the fore going bill that there was no adequate protection for life or property under the pretended government set up by Presi dent Johnson, was based upon full In formation by the Senate. No doubt a large proportion of the people In the Southern States were disposed to good order and peace, but the convulsions of the war had thrown to the surface a lot of reckless. Irresponsible desperadoes who. mad at their failure in the war. were wreaking their vengeance upon Union men and more especially upon the colored people and those peaceably dis posed seined afraid, unwilling or unable to put a stop to the outrages.- I intro duced the bill In the Senate the next morning after it was prepared. It waa thinks of the plans for the nation's ships on the ocean, exchange of trade between the North and South, and East and AVest, and the rights and duties of the classes in the fields, the fac tories, the shops and the mines. And these great -thoughts make him to bo a great man. .Why is this youth with latent Cromwell within him left to his flocks. Instead of sliepherdlng the peo ple? Because the thoughts that lend greatness to the Intellect were not borne In upon him in the providence of God. Homer himself would have been more than Homer had he re ceived the opportunity. The great Greek wrote a military epic, the story of wars and heroes, the clanging of spears and helmets and the rattling of shields, hut had he lived in 'Tenny son's day. Homer's theme would have been like Tennyson's studies inylmmor tallty. while Lowell or Browning, had they lived In Virgil's day, could never have written the "Saul" of the one, or the "Vision of Sir Launfaul" of the other. It Is sun that lends the crimson line to the flower, and Christ's thought c self -sacrifice lent beauty to Lowell's "Sir I-tfiunrauI." lent beauty to Tenny son's "King Arthur." lent glory to Browning's "Saul," lent all splendor and solemnity to Handel's "Dead March in Saul" lent the thought of freedom to Lincoln's second inaugural, and his plea for the widow, the orphan and the slave. It Is easy to be ashamed of intellectual mediocrity and im becility and artificiality, but the great ideas of Christianity are so exalted In their views of God and man and duty and destiny, that the sentiment of pride alone Is possible. We are not ashamed of Christianity's friendships and natural allies. It Is said that men are known by the com pany they keep. Not otherwise Is a religion known by its relationship. If, after reading the Four Gospels, men jut the boek down to go" away to !a they are clever of head, and he '"111 be a rtar opponent, indeed, who suc ceeds in paestng or boxing them. In th bacJcfleld we have placed four can didates upon whom you may depend for either plunging gains through the enemy's line, or long runs around Ms ends, llesers. D'Artagnan and Hur are not equaled on the football fields of let ters in tvllo and skill. We would further recommend that Mr. Sherlock Holmes be authorized to act as coach for euch a team as you may decide upon. No other man could k surely be expected to fathom the trie Jut of those who are in the future to become our enemies. All of which Is respectfully submit ted by CAPTAIN" JOHX SILVER. NATHAN THE "WISE. INCL.E TOBT. EDMO.VD DANTES. and SHERLOCK HOLMES. (Chairman.) The team recommended to your In dorsement is as follows; Left end Th Virginian Left tackle ........Taffy "Wynne Left guard Urau? Center '-. John Rldd- Right guard Terence Mulvaney Right tackle Richard Carvel Right cad Unca.i Quarterback ............ Ben Hur Left halfback "Wilfred of Ivanhoe Right halfback Rudolf Rassendylt Fullback D'Artagnan Substitute Line: Reginald Front d Boeuf. Le Xoir Faineant. Atho and Rrian de Hois Guilbert. Ends and back fletd: Hawkeye. Pan Michael. Jack Hamlin. Harvey Birch and Quentln Durward. "It should do." was the quiet remain of Nathan, the philosophic. "It can't be beaten," exclaimed Silver, enthusiastically. Uncle Toby nodded Indorsement of the sentiment, and Holmes, without comment, put the document back Into the wallet and resumed his cigar. Then, as If moved by one Impulse, all four turned and looked at Uncle Tom. He understood and once more thz clink and gurgle. WARWICK JAMES PRICE. read by Its title Mr. Fessenden called for the reading of the bill, and after it was read, he put his hand upon my shoulder and said: "Williams, that Is the very thing wc want" The bill was referred to the joint committee on recon struction, and by that committee referred to a subcommittee consisting of Roscoe Conklln. George S. Boutwell and myself for examination and report. We met in a room in Willard's Hotel, and after due consideration, reported it back to the full committee without any change. The re port was unanimously adopted by the Republicans of the committee. Johnson, Rogers and Grlder, who were Democrats, voting against it- Mr. Stevens was in structed to report the bill to the House, which he did. and It passed that body without amendment by a vote of 100 to 53. When It came back to the Senate, It was violently opposed by the Democrats, and a debate ensued In which Mr. Fessenden. chairman of the reconstruction commit tee, said: "This bill, which the Honor able Senator from Oregon has in charge, is a bill that originated with him. He proposed it to the Senate, and it was re ferred to the committee on reconstruc tion. It was prepared with very great care." I need not quote the whole speech. I refer to it simply to show how the mat ter was understood in the Senate. This is the beginning of the history of this measure, and it will be continued in my next paper. GEORGE H. WILLIAMS. Virgil Had They Lived Later found a saloon, or live in a Fagln's den, or join a band of burglars, or found a new Monte Carlo, then Chris tianity's relationships are bad. If, on the other hand, after reading the Four Gospels, men go away to feel an im pulse of generosity toward the asylums, forms of philanthropy, the school house, the library, then Chris tianity's affiliations are high and praiseworthy. When we survey the past we find that there Is every reason for pride in its relationships. When Paul and John died, the early church found It necessary to "found successor for the apostles: they therefore elected the brightest young minds, and plac ing; teachers over them, instructed them in the principles of Christianity. Soon schools were established for young men Interested In professions other than the Christian ministry, and Iaterxthe monasteries became the fore runners of modern printing presses. The ancient poets and philosophers and orators were preserved by mbnks to copy their writings and then give lec tures upon them: out of these begin nings of education grew all modern colleges and universities. Christianity also soon developed Jt3 friendship with architecture, that the temples might express the sublimity of the thdught of God. When Christianity had filled the heart with sorrow for sin, the full heart poured itself out In misereres, even as In the hour or Joy the soul ex pressed itself In glorious Te Deums. Anj when Christianity had tilled the imagination with the divine beauty of Cnrist, the heart expressed itself in color and In songs and in poems. Verily. Cnrlstlanity has vindicated it self by its achievements. Shame has "become Impossible in view of Chris tianity's historical effects. Christiani ty Is a Nile that has passed, through a desert to feed the land and make it rejoice and blossom as the -rose.