Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-02-26
Gov. MOFtOn's Speech.

plCuSO VI HlS DtSb euOTIS al IHe IuluTS,
he said that in times like the present,
and in view of the great events whose
issue depends on wise deliberation and
energetic action, men are to be consid-
cred as nothing and measures every
thing. If any man, having been tried,
is found incapable, inefficient, or un-
faithful, he should be set aside. If VIC
tail in this great struggle, then all is lost.
If the administration of National and
State Governments is placed in the
hands of men who favor compromise
and concession to those in rebellion,
which would carry with it the ultimate
recognition of the independence of the
Confederecy, then all for which SO much
blood has been shed, and so much trea-
sure expended, the unity of the nation
and her institutions, would be lost for
ever
1t seemed an appropriate occasion to
pass in review the political affairs of the
State during the past two years; and as
he desired not to be Inexperienced or
misunderstood, he has taken such time
as he could gain from official duties and
frequent illness, to put in writing what
he was about to say. He then read as
follows:
COpperhead ActiOn in the Legislature.
The beginning of the late session was
Signalized in the House by an act as
absurd and insulting as it was reyolu-
tionary
The constitution imposes the obliga-
ton upon the Governor of communicat-
ing with the Legislature by messages
from time to time, and it imposes like
obligation upon the Legislature of re-
ceiving and considering such messages
In discharge of this obligation, the Gov
ernOr sent his semi annual message to
the Senate and House The Senate re-
ceived the message and ordered it to be
printed, but the House refused to receive
it, returned it to the Governor, and pass
ed a resolution receiving and adopting
the message of the Governor of New
York. Laughter.
From such beginning itw not hard
to predict the end. The House had be-
gun its Legislative course by wanton
insult to the Executive, by fragrant vio-
lation of the Constitution, which it had,
but few hours before, sworn to support
The revolutionary policy thus inaugu-
rated was pursued with increased vio-
lence and open disregard of Constitutions
al obligations Its time was chiefly
consumed by the Introduction of disloyal
resolutions, the utterance of Fictitious
and reasonable sentiments, intended to
excite the people against the Govern
ment, and destroy its power to crush the
rebellion.
The necessary and legitimate subjects
of legislation were disregarded or kept
back, aside from an appropriation for
their own diem and mileage, which was
passed on the first day Of the session.
Every other appropriation was absolutely
suppressed until Friday, the last day but
one of the session, when it was known
that no quorum was present in the House
/ Among the appropriations which should
/ have been passed at the commencement
of the session were:
First-A sufficient sum for the relief
of soldiers families.
! Second-A sum sufficient to relieve
the necessities and provide for the sick
and wounded soldiers in the field
Third-A sum sufficient to pay the
military claims which had been allowed
by the Auditing Committee, and about
which there was no dispute, some of
them having been standing for many
months
Fourth-A sum sufficient to pay
special surgeons for services and ex-
penses, rendered by order of the Gov
ernor, in the field
Fifth-A sum sufficient to sustain and
continue the operations of the State Ar
senal; it having been shown that that in
stitution had been profitable to the State,
and of great service to the State and
Government
Sixth "A sum sufficient to pay the of
fcers and men of the Indiana Legion
for their services rendered in protecting
the border.
am informed by Mr. Branham, who
was a member of the Committee or
Ways and Means, that he repeatedly
urged on the Committee immediate &C
ton on these important matters, and al
so that bills appropriating money neces
sary for the support and operations o
the State Government should be prompt
ly brought forward, but every effort wa
unavailing; the legitimate business o
the legislation was subordinated to tn,
great purpose of the session-to tn,
grand scheme of the party for seizing
the military power of the State, ant
Withdrawing the State from the supper
of the General Government in suppress
, sing the rebellion.
Shortly after the October election il
1862, it was given out by various Dem
ocratic politicians and papers that tn
Legion law would be repealed. and
new law passed depriving the Governo
of all control over State arms, an
stripping him of all military powe
whatever.
On the 18th day of February, mill
: tary bill was introduced by Bayless "
Hanna Chairman of the Military Con
:, mittee in the House, in pursuance of tn
conspiracy formed months before.
com pletely overturned the Constitutions
!, authority of the State, established mi
itary provisional government, and place
all military power OF the State in tn
hands of the four Democratic State of
!, GERS. 1t will not be improper to make
brief summary of the leading feature
of this remarkable measure.
First. 1t provided that all the arm
: shonld be placed in the custody of tn
" Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary, and A
I tOrney General of State, to be kept, i
sued or disposed of only by them.
Second 1t deprived the Governor
. all power to call out the Militia for ar
. purpose whatever.
Third. 1t provided that the new of
= GERS to be created under this bill chou
be commissioned by certificates issue
S, by the Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary al
H Attorney General of State, and dispen
IS 's- ed with commissions issued by the Cove
It's nor, as is required by the Constitution
ne ne the State
NC Fourth 1t provided that the abo
.ht named State officers should have pow
=; y: to appoint all Major and Brigadier Ge
N. erals and conferred upon the Office
m thus appointed, the power to select
numerous and expensive staff.