North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-03-27

bis will, because this bill contemplatcs the
capital execution of citizen tried before
these tribunals simply upon the approval of
the officer commanding the district.
Such, sir, is the bill introduced here, for
the passage of which our votes are solicited,
and to pass which we are driven into the
hours of the night, hurriedly and unprepar-
ed, while some expectant persons outside,
perhaps, look with impatience upon the de.
lay which is taking place, this unnecessary
delay, this protraction Of our proceedings,
this waste of time, this foolish appealing to
old records and to principles which we have
advanced far beyond In our revolutionary
career. Yes, sir, a spirit of impotence
and intolerance surrounds US and finds voice
even upon this foor
will state objections to the bill in gen
eral terms and conclude. am not inclin-
ed to speak at length, but should take
shame to myself if such bill as this could
be passed or be under consideration here
without uttering some few sincere words in
opposition to its enactment. .E
Sir, this bill, in the first place; is an
open confession in the face of the world
that republican government is failure. -
It is an open and shameless confession.
made BY US IN the presence of our own
countrymen and in the presence Of the
world, that our republican institutions are
not as they were supposed to be, destined
10 immortality or to future renown; that
their period of life has about closed, that
We are TO be added to the list of republics
of former times ard of other countries who
ran hurried, bnt some of them not inglori-
ous careers, to end in what this bill sug-
gests, in the rule of master, in the estab-
lishment of military power, in the chastise-
ment of crime, of violence, and of private
wrong not by civil Law, but military force.
You propose to put in command of one
third of the United States generals of yonr
armies. You propose to confer on them
dictatorial powers. That is the word
This bill establishes military dictatorship
by congressional enactment for one third of
the United States, and its gratis are in the
largest and vaguest terms. Under them
any act pertaining to civil government, any
act PERTAINING to the punishment of crimi-
nal offenders, may be authorized and may
be performed by the military power which
you set up. That is dictatorship. No
matter by what name it be designated that
is its nature, That you establish by this
bill. Whatever you propose, that will be
the authority created it will be known as
a dictatorship in all future time,
Mr.. President, at what time is it propos-
cd TO set up this military dictatorship in
the United States ? Is it not nearly two
years after the conclusion of the late war
Is it not at time when complete pace
reigns throughout the United States, when
there is no resistance to the authority of
the Government, and when we apprehend
no such resistance in future unless that re
sistence be provoked, possibly, by our con-
duct and policy? There can be no vindi-
cation of this measure upoE the ground of
its connection with the war. There can be
no vindicaton of it upon the ground that it
is necessary IN the conduct or management
of military operations, in the subduing Of
force arrayed against our authority in any
portion of the country nor that il is ne
cessary to guard against renewed revolt and
renewed resistance in any place or section
subject to our jurisdiction.
The Long Parl,ament,to to which reference
has been made, established a military force
of its own, independent of the Crown, and
it placed over that force military comman-
ders, 1t armed them and sent them forth
upon mission Of resistance to kingly pow
er. That was during time of civil con-
vulsion, when parties were to be arrayed
against each other in deadly conflict, when
the great battle between executive, prero-
gative, and popular freedom was to be
fought out upon British soil. There was
some reason, some excuse then for Par
lament which claimed omnipotence to con
fer enormous powers upon military CON-
manders selected by itself. There is no
reason now why an American Congress
whose powers are carefully and grudgingly
p .rceled out to it in the Constitution of the
country, Congress whose powers are sub
jected to necessary and extensive limita-
tions it is not now time for an Ameri-
can Congress to assume to itself those ON
nipotent powers which will be implied by
the passage of this bill. 1t is not now a
time for the American Congress to set up
military power and military dictatorship
in any portion the country.
The duties of the hour of which we hear
so much are to heal the wounds of conflict
to restore real peace and genuine concord
throughout our country, to return to the
pacific debates which in form er times char
acterised the proceedings Of the legislative
department Of the Government, to restore
by sound measures that prosperity which
was interrupted by the war, and by a care
ful and provident craftsmanship to make
provision against those dangers to which
the pecuniary interests and the liberties of
our country are liable in the future III
read Alright the duties of the hour they may
be thus described they do not consist in
prosecuting in a time Of peace the projects
enterprises, and measures of time of war.
They do dot include the injecting into our