The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-21

eases. The case of tho . whiskey insurrecton,"
IN Pennsylvania has been referred to, and IT mas
been aaid that the State authorities maintained
the dignity Of the law and put down the insur-
rection, and that it was not the duty OF the fed
esal government TO call out any force 10 put 1t
down. | read from n historic record to show
what the wise men OF the Washington era
thought Of their duty in such an emergency
read it simply for the purpose OF sustaining my
self in the position which assumed think II
was perfectly in order TO read it. aud think
that all who choose to read the debate hereafter
will see that what ! have read is not only to
the point, but is elucidative Of the case.
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi. ! merely wish
to say that have before me letter from the
Secretary of War at that time, Major Nc
Henry, who called on the brgadier general OF
the militia in the State of Pennsylvania TO en-
force the laws of the United States in the west
ern pnrt OF Pennsylvania
Mr.. DAVIS, Of n Massachusetts,. have but
word to add in reply to the senator from Mis-
sissippi, MIR. DAVIS He has referred to re-
mark Of mine, in relation to which wish to be
correctly understood. i do not know whether
fused the precise expression which the honora-
bic senator imputed to me. did mean, how
ever, that it should be understood that there
was prevalent sentiment in Massachusetts in
opposition to the stringent provisions OF this
law. The senator proceeds to infer from that,
that that sentiment will array itself in measures
Of violence against the law. l make no such
deduction from any facts within my knowledge.
Ga the contrary, will venture to predict that
all these speculations in regard to the employ
ment OF the forces of the United States to exc
cute this law in Massachusetts, are wholly un-
necessary and wholly uncalled for That law is
offensive to the people Of Massachusetts for
reasons which could state il the time and the
circumstance would permit. You know very
well, sir, that l voted against the law. You
know very well that had strong objections to
it, many other gentlemen here also had.
These objections are felt elsewhere. But when
you come to the question of the execution OF
the law, apprehend that no troops, no aid, no
assistance from the government Of the United
States will be found necessary in the city Of
Boston, or any other portion of Massachusetts
There may be mobs; mobs spring upin all por-
tons If the country. Opposition to measures
which do not commend themselves to the pub
| lie judgment or the public mind oftentimes
create an array of this description; bnt then
there is beneath all this public opinion pre-
yang tina. this is not the mode to settle ques-
lions Of that description. | rely on that opin-
ion in the Commonwealth Of Massachusetts,
rely upon the good sense and the good judgment
of the people in all these matters, and know
that am not mistaken in the estimate place
upon that public opinion and that public judy
ment. know that if they wish the repeal Of
this law, or an alteration of its provisions, they
will seek it by other means and by other meas
ures than violent array against the strength of
this government, or any other government, on
question of that sort The days of the revo-
luton and the days of Shay's rebellion have
gone by. The people have learned, by long ex-
perience and by long practice, that there is
wiser, a better, and a boodess remedy for all
measures of this sort, to which they may re-
sort, and to which they will resort whenever, in
their judgments an occasion arises, and it will
be in vain to endeavor to prevent them from re-
sorting to it.
While ! oppose this law, and while ! object
to many of its provisions, | do not object to
what believe to be Il suitable and proper law
| to execute this provisions Of the Constitution
On the contrary, would cheerfully vote for
| such measure as has been Swallowed forth BY
several gentlemen who have occupied places on
Letter from the Secretary IF Hfr 10 the Governor
Of Pennsylvania.
WAR DEPARTMENT, MARCH 20, 1899.
7 Sir: To suppress the instruction now existing
in the counties Of Northampton, Bucks, and Mont
gomery, in the State of Pennsylvania, in opposi-
ton to the laws of the United States, the Presi-
dent has thought 1t necessary to employ mill
tary force, to be composed, in part, of such ofhe
militia of Pennsylvania whose situation and state
Of preparation will enable them to march with
prompti,ude. The corps of militia first desired on
this occasion are the troops of cavalry belonging
TO this city, and troop from each of the coun-
ties Of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Montgom-
cry, and Lancaster. These troops | have the
honor to request your Excellency will order to
hold themselves in readiness to march or before
the 2Sth instant, under the command of Brig Gen.
| MCPHERSON
| have the honor TO be, with great respect, sir,
your obJedent servant,
JAS. McHENRY.
His Exceency Governor MirFLM.
From the instruction given to Gen Mcpherson
the following are extracts:
WAR DEPARTMENT, MARCH 81, 1899.
Sir: In pursuance of the Presidents procama-
ton, bearing date the 18th day ofthis month it has
become indispensable to determine upon and put
IN motion the military force proper to be EN- poyed
for suppressing the nsurectIon in the counties of
Northampton, Mon,gom' ry, and Bucks, in this
State.
! You will therefore be pleased to form n detach-
ment from the volunteers, who have ASSOCIATED in
| the State OF Pennsylvania, and been accepted by
the President as part of the provisional army
to consist Of the two volunteer ompanies OF caval
ry of the city Of Phiadephi to which you will
add two or more of the troops of militia cavalry
OF the same city, now under orders to hold them
selves IN readiness TO march, so to compose
body of two hundred and forty horse including
non-commissioned officers, and proceed with the
detachment without delay, to the theatre OF insur-
rection us
IL is left entirely to your discretion to determine
upon your place or places Of rendezvous, which
should be such as best calculated to enable the
troops that may be stationary to defend themselves
IN case of attack, and also to aid effectuaIly as
possible your parties of horse in their transit to
and from their points of departure.
You will have observed that it is designed to
give to the volunteer and militia cavalry selected
by your principal agency in suppressing the exist
ing combinations against the laws, and Of quel-
ing an instruction and rebellion against the gov
eminent and rigbtfu authority of their country, at
a time when its sovereignty and liberties are
threatened by powerful, implacable, and insidi-
Gus nation, who have been accustomed to divide
and conquer other nations. 1t Is not doubted,
therefore, but that they will exhibit useful ex-
ample upon this service Of military promptitude
spirit, vigilance, discipline, and obedience of
orders