The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-08-04

Debate in Congress on Aiming the Militia
in the Southern States.
We extract the following from the debate in
the House on Thursday 23d, on the bill providing
arms for the ''loil' militia:
MI Washburne-I tell gentlemen beware be-
fore they pass this measure, lest it is not an IN
citation to civil war and insurrection in those
States. TGreat excitement in the House. /
now yield to the venerable gentleman from North
Carolina, Mr. Boyden,) who wishes to say few
words, and ask the attention of the House to
what he shall say.
Mr. Boyden rose to speak from his seat on the
Democratic side.
Mr. Washburne suggested that the gentleman
from North Carolina should come nearer to the
centre of the House, where he could be heard.
Mr. Highly insisted that he should keep his
place, and the House should be brought to order.
Mr. Ward suggested that it would be novel to
have some little talking on that side of the House.
Mr. Boyden said: Mr. Speaker, am alarmed
at the condition of the country. 1t is proposed
now to send arms to North Carolina that the
people may use them against each other. Great
God! We cannot afford to fight each other.
Keep away your arms do nothing to irritate
our people, but do everything in your power to
4 assuage and heal the excitement there. We
want no arms warn the House that if arms
are sent there we will be ruined We cannot
live there. If we need anything in the way of
arms, in Gods name send an army of the United
States there; but do not arm neighbor against
neighbor. There never was more mlschievous
measure than this proposition to arm one class OF
| our people against another.
| Mr. Deweese of North Carolina, Radical, CON-
| e., HI do
of the House.
The excitement which had prevailed through
out the discussion seemed to be on the increase,
and it was suggested that Mr. Deweese, who
could not be distinctly heard from where he was
speaking, should speak from the Clerks desk.
| Mr. Deweese, having complied with that sug-
gestion, addressed the House against adjourn
ment. Some provision should be made for the
| new governments of the Southern States, and
for the protection of the loyal people; otherwise
the rebellion would be re-established The letter
| of Mr. Blair would be carried out. If Congress
adjourned now, before six months the last traces
| of republican governments in the South would
| have ceased to exist, and the Klu Klux, the
rebels, the slave-holding, copperhead, Democratic
party would be ruling there they ruled in 1865.
MIR Brooks clapped his hands in admiration of
| the speech, which was much enjoyed on the Dem
Ocratlc side OF the House.
Mr. Woodward inquired of Mr. Deweese
whether the reconstructed governments in the
South could be maintained in any other way than
by the bayonet.
Mr. Deweese We can if you will give us arms
| to keep down the rebels, triumphant laughter
| on the Democratic side, and by no other means.
Mr. Woodward Then, | understand the
gentleman, the governments which this Congress
has been at such great pains to reconstruct can
only exist by the bayonet.
Mr. Deweese. The gentleman's party in 1861
stole the that belonged to the Government
of the United States to shoot your loyal neigh
bors sons; and the guns are still in the hands of
the slaveholding Democratic party.
Mr. Jones, of Kentucky, asked whether the
militia and all the arms in North Carolina were
not under the control of the Governor and Leg
isature of that State, as now constituted.
Mr. Deweese. No. sir; we have no militia.
Mr. Jones. 1t is your own fault.
Mr. Deweese. Under the rule of the Demo
cratic party, from 1861 to 1865, every musket,
shot gun, and horse pistol was taken out of the
hands of loyal men and put in the hands of the
Southern sympathizers. The support given to
this question of adjournment on the side of the
House where [ occupy seat is for the purpose
of carrying out the Sd of July letter, stamping
out the loyal State governments, and dispensing
us carpet baggers [Laughter.] say to them
''Come on whenever you feel disposed. Come
on. Stretch out then your traitorous hands to
touch again one fold of the old flag, and the
representatives of four millions of men who,
though black in skin, white and loyal in
heart, will throw themselves as bulwark be-
tween you and those loyal garments, and you will
only live in sad memories of bad events. Come
on, come on" [Unrestrained laughter among
the Democrats If you want to sustain those
governments you have got to give us some assis-
lance.
Mr. Ross. Is there not some danger of the
Republicans losing the elections there unless they
get arms?
Mr. Kelly. Is there not more danger of Re-
publicans, white and black, losing their lives?
Mr. Deweese, [replying to MIR Kelley's ques-
ton. There certainly is, if you allow the Dem
ocrats any show at all.
Mr. Randall They would be able to get un-
der bench, as my colleague did in Mobile.