M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1863-03-12
The COnscnPtI0n Bill Sharp
Personalities between VaIlan,
digham and Campbell. OF Penn,
and Bingham, of Ohio debate
an the House on The 22d.
From the New York Tribune, &,


amend the bill so that it shall be the
duty Of commander OF troops at any
post, on the days of election for ma
tional OF State election, to remove
and keep the troops one mile from the
polls during the holding ofsaid elect.
ions.
Mr.. Cox (Dsm., OAio) moved to
amend hy adding the provSo that
none shall be enrolled under this bill
except able bodied white citizens Of
the United States.
Mr. Riddle (Uem., Penn. express.
ed himself in favor ofan organic alton
OF the National forces. But :here
were several unfortunate features in
this bill which h1 wished remedied
by amendments. The Bank Bill and
this, taken 10 connection, changed the
whole system OF our Government
Instead Ola constitutional form Of Gov.
errment, there would be a system not
materially differing from the despo;-
ism Of France and Russia. The par.
ticular bill now pending turned the
militia into regular army. lie Op.
posed covering the country with Pro.
voSt Marshals, without limitation on
their authority sucll as to protect cit,
izens from abuses, of which there
were so many moumful examples
The arbitrary power exercised under
the Presidents Proclamation had
done more 10 defeat the Republican
party than airy thing else. These ar.
btrary and unjnStitilble arrests were
calculated to light up and inauguratc
revolution.
Mr.. Davis asked his colleague
whether this was to be done by the
Republicans, or by the party which
the gentlemen was a member.
Mr.. Riddle replied, by an outraged
people, without regard to party. The
spirit which animated John IIamp-
den was not extinct. The most sig
ni6cant sign Of the times was the mes
sage Of the Republican Governor O
Pennsylvania with regard to arrests
lie specially called attention to whai
lie called fragrant violations OF the
Constitution, which secured citiz1ns
in their persons and rights. He de-
signed, the following amendments
which he wished to offar:
Provided, that nothing in this &C
shall authorize the arrest or trial by
military authority Of any perscn mo-
in the service OF the United States
nor drafted for the slmo under the
provisions OF this act; nor shall the
said Provost Marshal, or any Other
officer of the United States. interfere
with the lawful exercise of the elect
i've franchise of ahy State or Territory
where the execution Of the laws ofthc
United States is not obstructed by the
force OF arms.
Mr.. Riddle merely wished to affirm
a proposition, which if two years ago
any body had donie1, he would have
been obnoxious to the charge OF luna,
cy.
Mr.. Wright wanted the bill to @
to the committee OIL military AfIlirs,
10 be amended in several particulars.
so as to prevent divisions in the North
lie, too, wished the clergy exempted.
They were in the last class to be call.
cd from their sacred callings to the
Grudgery Of the field.
Mr.. White (Dem., Ohio) opposed
the bill for the reason that every ci.i
zen would be placed under the contro
OF the President, and at his absolute
pleasure be disposed OF as lie nigh
desire. Besides, it wa5 opposed t
the letter, spirit and intent of the Con
sttution. II the devil himself GaC
been called upon, he could not have
devised scheme better calculated t
destroy the happiness Of the peopl,
and distract the country, as has bee;
illustrated in the history of the pas
eighteen months. This Till was pro-
posed to rob the people of the las
vestige of liberty. If these outrage.
shall be carried to the extent design
ed, an appeal will be made to the Goo
OF Battles and Justice.
Mr.. VallanGighem (Drm., Ohio,
complimented Mr.. Olin upon his de-
corous manner Of opening the debate
in contrast with the rem trks Of Nj
Campbell, which were characterized
by bitterness and severity. 1.-THE lat
ter imagined any one on his Kallan
digham's) side would be deferred by
threats from expressing his opinions
or giving his votes, he utterly misun-
derstood the spirit OF those on thai
side of the hall. hutl back the threat
in defiance in the gentlemon's teeth
| spurn it. spit upon it. 1t is no,
the argument to be addressed tc
equals here. 1t was personal insinaa
tion against loyal men who sit with
him here, strong in their attachment
to a com non Union of the States, and