Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-02-28


Mr. Davis CPa.) asked his colleague
whether this was TO be done by the Repub-
licans or by the party of which the gentle
man is q member.
Mr.. Biddle replied--By an outraged peo-
pie without regard TO party. The spirit
which animated John Hampden is not ex-
tinct. The most significant sign of the
times was the message of the Republican
Governor of Pennsylvania in regard to arbi-
trary arrests. He mr. Biddle) specially
called attention to what he characterized
the fragrant violations of the constitutional
provisions to secure citizens in their persons
and rights. He designated the following
amendments which he wished to offer:
Prorided, That nothing in this net shall
authorize the arrest or trial by military au
thority of any person not in the military
service of the United States, nor drafted for
the same under the provisions of this act ;
nor shall the said provost marshals or any
other officer of the United States interfere
with the lawful exercise of the elective fran
chise in any State or Territory wherein the
laws of the United States are not obstructed
by force of arms. Mr.. Biddle wished to
affirm proposition which, two years ago,
if a man doubted, would have rendered him
liable to the charge of being lunatic.
SPEECH OF MIR. cAMPBEIL OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Mr.. Campbell Pa.) congratulated the
country and the Senate that this bill which
places the whole power of the country in the
hands of the Executive for the purpose of
crushing this unholy Rebellion, has passed
that body without division, or any one
being found willing to record his vote
against il. He viewed this as an evidence
of patriotic reaction in the Senate. When
prominent politicians cut off the sympathi-
zers with the Rebels and come to the sup
port of the Administration he wanted others
to take the same course, lest in the end they
cover themselves with ignominy, but cause
no confusion to the country. He congratu-
lated the President and those acting with
him that they had incarccrated traitors till
the danger was over.
No loyal man in the length aud breadth
of the land had complained of the so-called
arbitrary arrests. None but traitors COM
| planned of them. It was to save the nation
and support the constitution and laws in an
hour of deadly peril that the arrests were
made. They were made for wise ends We
have heretofore been too lenient. So far
from condemning these arrests it were better
to read the handwriting on the wall, and
make peace with liberty while there is yet
time. Hc repeated, the error of Government
was its leniency. If there had been given to
the military the drum-head court martial
and to traitors the hemp, it would have been
more pleasing to loyal men. He hoped there
would be no efforts to defeat this bill by
senseless amendments. Every able bodied
man should be given to the country, to put
down this atrocious Rebellion.
He explained the position of the Governor
of Pennsylvania, as his colleagues (Mr
Biddle's) remarks, he said might injurc that
functionary. As to the social revolution
alluded to by his colleague, he said if the
intention was to inaugurate one, it shoulC
be done at once if by the conspirators al
the North the quicker the better. Our sol
diers in the field will take care of the Rebels
of the South, and our loyal men at the Nortl
will take care Of the Rebels in that section
He would fight by land or sea, for Thousand
years against the Rebels and all their acts al
home or abroad. applause in the galleries
which the Speaker promptly checked)
Mr.. Wright Pa) said that there wa
vitality enough power to save the Govern
mcnt. This was beyond dispute. He dlt
not believe the traitors at the South or Nortl
could destroy it. He would devote ever,
drop of blood, every cent of treasure, to pu
down the Rebellion. He appealed to th'
gentlemen not to drive him and Others in
position of opposition to the bill, but to con
sent to proper amendments. He wished t,
relieve the citizens from the liability to ar
rest by some upstart inferior officer, wh'
was to be left to determine what is or is no
treason or disloyalty He desired to secur
citizens in their constitutional rights.
At half past four o'clock the house took
recess till seven o'clock.