The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-02-01


The persistent refusal Of Mr. Boutwell, 20
allow evena single hours debate to the bill
in relation to the right of attorneys to prac.
tiee in the federal courts, was as disgraeeiai
to himself,and to all who countenance lt,as 1t
was tyrannical. He supposed that a majority,
with the previous question as Its weapon OF
offense, could ride a minority down rough
shod A weary nights session must have
satisfied him to the contrary. The previous
question is legislative contrivance for ex-
pediting regular business, not an instrument
of tyranny over the minority. Mr.. Boutwell,
has evidently become dazed since he has
touched and tasted power. He does not
seem to know what a powerful majority at
his back is for, unless to use it in oatraging
the other side. In his narrow view, it is a
sort of crime to belong to a minority, to be
punished with whatever harsh and degrad-
ing infections the majority chooses to visit
upon them. His refusal to allow any debate
ut all, until sheer exhaustion compelled him
to give in, shows well by the side of his pro
fessons of free speech, free debate, and the
largest possible popular liberty. Give him
the power, and his loud love of liberty cur
dies into indefensible tyranny. He repre-
scented that the urgency of public business
required dispatch in the passage of the bill
reported by him yet hours of the public
time were consumed the next day in trying,
condemning, defending and excusing delin-
auent members. What the courageous mi
nority did that night was done by them in
vindication Of the right of fair debate to
which all measures, especially such important
measures, are entitled. They stood for the
actual rights Of the people through their rep
resentatiFes. The right of free debate is as
unquestioned, under our republican system,
as the right of petition !; and the people
themselves are wounded by these tyrannical
blows at their admitted privileges. 1t is like
wise fatal mistake for Mr.. Boutwell, to sup
pose the supreme court the inferior of con-
gress. He ought to remember that it de-
rives its authority from the same source with
that body, which is the constitution ITSELF
And it was established, too, for reviewing
and passing judgement upon the legislation
of congress, from which judgement there is
no appeal. Congress is, therefore, practical
ly restrained by the supreme court. Its
statutes are imperative if that tribunal, pur-
posely set up to examine and Judge them,
finds them opposed to the true and abiding
interpretations of the constitution. Thus
congress is itself held in proper check by
both the presidential veto and the decisions
of the Judiciary, and the present purpose OF
| Mr.. Boutwell, and others is TO get rid of the
double constitutional restraint at once. The
people are watching these attempts at legis-
| iative usurpation with determination to
hold those who are responsible for them to a
| rigid account. Nothing is more certain than
that reaction in public sentiment will fol.
low all such tyrannical practices as the one
| of which Mr.. Freedom-l loving Boutwell, has
| been guilty. The more candid and reasona-
BILE journals Of his own party are telling him
| that DISQUALIFICATION Post