The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-09-18
9f(istrlIantous.
SPEECH OF
HON. S. A. DOUGLAS,
OF ILLINOIS,
I'm the Army Appropriation Bill
Delivered in the Senate, August 81, 1856.
SPEECH OF
4 REVYER OF THE .ACTS CF THE BLACK RE
PUBLICAN-S IN CUhGRESS.
OF ILLINOIS,,

Mr.. DOUGLAS. Mr. President, the
senator from New York Mr.. SEWARD who
has Just taken his seat has made himself
merry over the prospect OF the defeat OF the
appropriation bill for the army have ne.
yer seen him so exuItaut aud jubiant since
he has been q member Of this body as OF
the occasion of what he considers to be the
great triumph, which he hopes to achieve in
paralyzing at least one of the departments
ofthe government: He has referred to the
evils and the mischievous and unfortunate
consequences which may result, and has
made them the subject of ridicule, and OF
laughter and of mirth. confess that lis
tened to him with no pleasure when heard
him discussing the question in that mood
/ confess that am not able to sympathize
with the tone of feeling which makes him 50
exu1tant in the prospect Of such consequen-
Ces. .1 H.@ ..@
That mischief mustresult from the defeat
of the general appropriation bill for the ar
nv is fact to which no one for nome mt
can close his eyes. That it must have .
deranging and disorganizing effect on all
the operations nf that department of the 60
vernment, ifit does net entirely Paralyze
them, is certainly true. That it must bring
suffering and distress to very large portion
of the people of the United States is admit
ted by all. That it must bring dscredit up
on this country abroad in the eyes of the
whole civilized world, no one can question.
Why, then, should this be subject Of re.
ioicing! Sir, the history of the world shows
that whenever an attempt has been made to
overthrow any government, good or bad, the
first step has been to cripple and destroy the
army, Revolutionists at all times--men bent
on the destruction OF their government, no
matter by what purpose animated, or what
cause they allege to justify themselves, first
attempt to destroy the regular force of the
country. Ihave no sympathy in this move
meat have .,ever admired that complacen.
cy which can rejoice in public misfortunes,
since read the story of Nero, who could
make himself merry and fiddle while Rome
was burning! '
Fl. Sir, circumstances have begun to develop
themselves which enable US to see the whole
scheme which has been plotted and arrang-
ed, and is now being executed. The first
part oil the scheme was to defeat the appro-
priations for the Territory of Kansas, and,
ifpossible, to paralyze the civil government
there. The next was to organize body. OF
armed desperadoes to invade Kansas for the
purpose of getting up civil war. The politi
cal party with which the Senator from New
York is identified, and Of which il may be
said he is the chief, in a convention at But
falo, agreed to raise 800, e. month to
employ men and supply, arm, and equip
sthem to invade Kansas. for the purpose Of
making war upon the law and order men
there. They have had their men lowering
on the western boundary Of Iowafor weeks,
waiting for the adjournment Of Congress
V and for the telegrpPbic despatch to reach
them announcing that the army bill had
been defeated, so that the war could COM
.tfl