The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-04-22
W HOLE NO. 745.

| W"re Oit'eT thaD tDo wars OF tho Scottish
border Have we seen anything bittcrer
than those terrible fouds in the days Of Ed
ward. when England and Scotland we're tho
deadiest foes on Garth And yet for con-
turies those countries have boon cemen,ed
in an ndissoluble union that has Uudo fhe
British nation Quo ofibe proudest on Garth !
i said little while ego that accepted tho
proposition Of the gentleman that tho rebels
| had the right of revolution and tho decisive
| issue between US end tho rebellion 10, wheth-
er they shall revolutionige aud destroy, or
We shall subdue and preserve. We take
tho latter ground. We take the common
weapons of war To meet them and IL thcso
DO not sufficient, would take any element
which will overwhelm and destroy; would
sacrifice the dearest and best beloved I
} would take all tho old sanctions Of law and
tho Constitution. and fling them 10 the winds
II necessary, rather than let the nation be
broken 10 pieces. and It's people destroyed
with endless ruin.
j What is the Constitution that these gen.
tlemen arc porpetualy flinging in our faces
whenever we desire to strike hard blows
againt the rebellion IL ia the production
OF :be American people. They mado il, and
the creator is tnightier than tho creature
Tho power which made the Constitution can
also make other Instruments to do its great
work in the day Of it's dire necessity.
Mr.. Eidridge. desiie to ask tho geutle-
man q question. wont to know if be did
not just say that with nineteen others he
stepped forward to the Speakers desk and
sworc to support the Constitution.
MIR. Garfed-1 did and am very hap
py the gentleman has reminded me OF il ut
this time; and remember in the very pro-
emble of the Constitution il is declared to
DO ordained for the purpose of promoting
tho general welfare. and providing for the
. common defense and on that very state
ment of its declared object, not only lifted
, up my hand to swear to support chat Con.
stitution before God, but II makes me now
sorry there bad not been q sword in it when
7 lifted it up, to strike down any and all who
Z would oppose the use of all the means God
/, has placed in our hands for .overthrowipg
) the rebellion forever.
. am reminded here of fact which ] had
0 well-nigh forgotten. Last summer Union
y Spy came to our camp bringing two letters
' addressed to "Mnjor.G General John g. Breck-
/ inridge, G. S. A." They we're letters of in.
D PRODUCTION, stating that the bearer desired
to obtain commission in the rebel army,
8 and commencing him as q gallant and re.
e liable man whom Breckenridge could trust.
= Ono Of these letters was signed by man
;. who lately held scat in this House
lCries of "Name him." from the. Demo.
cratic side of the House. ~
!, Mr.. Garfield-I will produce the lottcr ia
: due time. 1t is not here with me. The
? other letter was from an associate of bis,
, prominent in the local Democratic politics
, OF the State of Indiana. l am responsible
for producing those letters.
[Cries of "Name -sss
MIR. Holman-l hopo the gentleman viii
gives the names now.
e Mr.. Garfield-When produce the letters,
/. any further testimony that may be called
( for can be had at my bands.
n Mr. Chairman, lot me mention clase Of
facts in this same connection. We we're
a = compelled last year to send our secret SER
: vice men to ferret out the irsidious work Of
that organization known as tho "Kuights of
= the Golden Circle" which was attempting
l. 10 corrupt the Army and destroy it's ef1ic-
: iency and it was found that by the most
r. subtle and secret means the signs and pass
q words of that order were being made known
to such men in the Army ns were dissffec,ed
, or could be corrupted. Witness also the
riots and murders which their agents are
D committing throughout the loyal North,
+, under the lead and guidance of the party
whose Representatives sit yonder across the
aisle; and now, just as the time is coming
r on when we are to select President for the
: next four years, one rises among them aud
fires the beacon. throws up the blue light
which will be seen and rejoiced over at tba
>, = rebel capital in Richmond as the signal tina.
= the traitors in our camp are organized aud
3. ready for 1hier bellish work. believe the ut
IS terance OF to.day.is the upliftcd banner Of
,, revolt. l ask you TO mark the signal tha,
J. blazes here, and see if there will not soon
d appear the answering signals Of traitors all
ever the land. II am wrong in this pre-
a dictior shall be thankful, but / am only
too fearful of it's truth.
: Let mo say in conclusion, If these mon do
mean to light the torch of war 10 oil our
Il homes If they have resolved to begin the
Vi fearful work which will redden our streets
| and this Capitol with blood, tho American
people would know il at once and prepare
to meet II.