Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-01-24

did not wish to foster military spifit--there ia
already too much of it, because II is q political
element. No sooner does II traise its head than
II thrusts 1t into the Senate. IL 10 dangerous
spirit, II threatens Legislators for daring to
oppose military measures. Foster Its growth |
and it will intimidate your members OF the leg
islature; encourage 1t, and It will overwhelm
You. He would not encourage it.
Mr.. GARFIELD said the soul and spirit Of
the bill ia the care and preservation of the pub
lie arms, with another associative idea. He
agreed with Mr.. Key about the evil influences
Of military power. But why have arms un
less we have men who know how to use them
Why have system, and have it defective2-
Why have half, and not the whole OF the shares2
Now, in relation to the objections OF MIR. Jones
concerning the armament, the Governors mes
sage shows that we have 5000 muskets in good
condition.
We should have our system iE order 80 1t can be
used if necessary. Itappears we have $4,000
mnskets Of which about one sixth are in services
able condition. and we propose means te keep
the remainder in good condition. This bill
merely provides that those who enroll according
to law, shall have only S. per annum each, to
pay armory expenses. This is thing we ought
of right to do. The State should protect its
property, and that is all this bill requires. The
militia organization which it authorizes will
prove simply nucleus for any force which en-
ergency may render necessary.
Mr.. GARFIELD went into the military sta
tistics of other States, North and West, to show
that Ohio is far inferior to all others in
military arms, and went on to show that the
pending bill did not contain one word looking to
"coercion." With reference to this word he
said much mischief had been done by the misuse
of the word. Gentlemen had spoke Of "coerciDg
sovereign State" No man OF any party en-
tertains such an idea. II by "coering State"
they mean reinforcing the laws" upon one man
or a thousand who disobey or resist the laws, /,
they are right, but If they mean absolutely "co-
ercion of sovereign State" they indulge in
absurd distractions. No man anywhere thinks
of it, NJ, G. concluded by asserting that it ia
the general sentiment of the people of the State
Of Ohio, that her militia system should be put
upon more efficient footing. Other States,
/ Virginia, Kentucky, &c, may do five times as
much, and what they do is not regarded as a
hostile demonstration, nor should'this measure
be 30 regarded. do .t
Mr.. KEY said the Senator (Garfeld) held that
the main design Of this bill is to take care of and
preserve the arms. That is to say we employ
5000 men for that purpose. Here seems to be
q great disparity between means and objects -
But IL this is meant as a war m measure it is in.
sufficient. II other States have been encour-
aging the military sentiment of its PEOPLE, il is
our duty to oppose it. IL is dangerous, and If
we give 1t scope 1t will oyerwhelm our llbar.
ties. Mr.. Key went on to chow the want
of security Of the militay arms in the South
ern part of the State, because the civil
power has been sufficient. There might
be reason for such force in the north eastern
part of the State to execute the Federal laws.
Ifso he did not know that he had objection to a
local measure to execute such laws. On the
oueston.of economy he said there is no drain
upon the Treasury equal to that for military
purposes. We are warned with reference to
expenditures even for trifling matters Of neces.
sity, because the people could not sustain it,
This of ITSELF is q strong reason why we should
not adopt this new mode of expenditure. No
other is so liable to abuse none 80 dangerous
Mr.. GARFIELD said In reply to Mr.. Keys
criticism of his statement Of the character Of
the bill, that IL was not the design of the State
to keep the arms in the arsenal, but to put
them in the hands of meu for public defence
, In reference to the remark concerning the north
eastern portion of the States, he declar-
ed the loyalty of the citizens Of that sec
tion. He was very sure that it had not become
necessary at Cleveland, or elsewhere in the
north east, to call out three companies of mill
tary to protect policemen and keep them from
being killed by q mob, as it has been necessary
to do within three weeks, at Cincinnati.
Mr.. SCHLEICH thought the argument ad
! pecunidm unworthy and contended that the
militia had not been properly treated by the
legislature. He was astonished that the Sen
ator (Key) born in Kentucky, "the dark and
bloody gIound" should imagine himself inves
ted by the 5000 of Ohio in military panoply,
and in one breath profess his fear of them, and
in the next defy them. Mr.. s. went on to vim.
dicate the o. V. M. as peaceable, law-Abiding
people of high character, and demonstrated
that no man can enroll himself according 10
law at less cost to himself than SIS, and 1t ID
but fair that the State should make up small
portion of that sum. He continued to argue the
necessity Of such system for self protection in
case of emergency. Mr.. Schleich in reply to a
suggestion of Mr.: Jones said that the volunteers
suddenly collected are in the nature of a
rabble, unfit for instant service.
Mr.. MOORE indicated the volunteers OF
Ohio against the charge of being rabble. He
had all confidence In the noble volunteers. They
are the bulwark of the country Twice In Mex
leo they saved General Taylor's honor, and II
duty should now call them, $4,000 brave and
patriotic volunteers would spring to arms in de.
fence of the country. tle
Mr.. SCHLEICH explained that he did not
characterize the volunteers to Mexico as ra.
Bile, but had meant that they were not organized,
disciplined troops, even in sixty days from the
time they were enrolled.
Mr.. MOORE proceeded to oppose the bill be.
cause it is infammatory at this time. ''-'
i Mr.. FISHER expressed desire to speak upon
the subject, and moved a recess until P. M. :,
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