The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-23
The Force Bill in Congress.
The following is the bill proposed by MI
Stantnn In CnnnrpSS

Stanton III Congress:
BE enacted By the Senate and House Of Representa-
tires Of the United States Of Amsrea Congress
seBtbied That the provisions of an act approved
the 2Sh February, in@the year l7s5, entitled IAN
cute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrection,
and repel invasions, aud to repeal the act now in
proved the 81 day of March. in the year 1857, en-
titled IAN act authorizing the employment of the
Sni ana nsHal forces OF ,ne ned SsteS IN n case &
case of insurrections against the authority of the
Sec p Ind be IL further enacted, That the Presi-
dent in any in which ii may be law ful to
either the militia or the military and naval force
of the United States for the purpose aforesaid,
may accept the services of such volunteers may
offer their services. as cava Try, infantry, arti
standard, squadrons and regiments, respectively.
according to The mode prescribed for the organiZa
lishment Of the United States and it Shall he
lawful for the President to commission the oti-
GERS of such companies, battalions squadrons and
regiments, IN their respective grades, contn ue
until discharged from the service of the United
States and such volunteers, while in the service
aud articles OF war, and shall be entitled to
the same pay and emoluments officers and SOL
diers of the same grade in the regular service.
During the debate OIL it Thursday, Mr, Bo-
cock, OF Virginia, made speech opposing it,
He said that already, by the act of 1890, the
President had the power to employ the army
and navy, and had right to station as many
of the regular troops of the country as he could
concentrate here. In addition to that, they
had Il local legislature, by whose authority he
could call ont the military III case they were
threatened by an invasion of armed forces
from other States. Even IL the military power
of the country was called ont to aid in the en-
forcement OF the laws, IL must be subordinate
to the civil power. But when they called out
the power to bear directly on the execution of
the laws, it was making war, and would be
so considered by the country and so every
force bill reported to this House was war
measure, and indeed, whether or not it should
be regarded, it must, in the necessity of the
case, result in war.
If that, then, be SO, he stood there clothed
with no authority to say what any State of
the Union would do; but he knew that Vir
ginia stood committed by her declarations
stood committed in honer and interest,
slst AT all hazards war OF aggression upon
the Sou thern States of this Confederacy. And
she must do 1t. Why must she do it? The
very hand that would aid in striking down
South Carolina and Alabama, streng thened
by Virginia, might, at any moment, be up
lifted to crush the other States-crippled and
crushed by the very subiugation of these
Southern States. Whether they made a dec.
larat of war or not all the Border States,
within three months tme with one or two
exceptions, will be found side by side with the
seeding States of the Union. He would ask
was it likely that Virginia and Kentucky
would hold a position in which they would be
liable TO have their militia called out-they,
perhaps, being nearest the scene OF action--to
aid in making war upon South Carolina or
Mississippi? No, they would not do it. They
would much prefer 10 throw Off the yoke OF
the Government, and do what they could 10
repel the attacks Of the Army and Navy, and to
crush the power of the Government. II he
was not much mis- taken, this would be the
natural result of any of these measures. The
question was asked what must we do what
must the North do 4? He would answer. Give
the South guarantees and secure them from all
attacks on their rights. He would ask, If war
comes-which God in his mercy ayert-what
reason would they give to the world for
precipitating it on the country The gen.
tlemen on this side of the floor who We're
most eager in pressing on war measures, and
making war measures, would be the very ones
to lag behind in the brunt OF the battle. And
their own people would call them to account
why this was SO, well as the country and
the world and their own consciences- And
what answer could they tthe Republicans)
giyef "And,' said the speaker, II here this
day, in the conclusion OF my remarks, de-
nounce the measure with all the power can
bring to bear upon the occasion. In the name
Of the Constitution 1t violates, denonnce 1t.
In the name of my nstituents, whom II In
lures, and is likely TO attack, i denounce it,
In the name OF our common country whose
peace Ii is likely to disturb, and whose peace
IL once disturbed can never be restored, de-
nounce 1t, In the name Of that humanity to
which we all belong, but which too many OF
US ignore, with redoabled energy and in deep
er accents, denounce and execrate It," ZAP
pluuse.
remarks of Mr., Bocock as mere clap trap
The appeal OF the gentleman from Virginia
was designed TOR his State, so that IL might
operate on the minds Of the delegates to their
Con yention, which was now In session. He
peaceabiy, lie was unwilling TO give any
guarantees, or to make any compromise.
On motion OF Mr.. Stanton, the bill waa
made the order Of the day for Tuesday next.