The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-02-05
Ihs at'auasahuys aspuhliean.
WAYNESBURG, PENN'A.
Wednesday,, Feb. :, 'O'
HOW DUMB.

On the Goth inst, Mr.. Cary, rep
rescntative, Independent, from Ohio,
propoundcd the following questions to
Mr.. Bingham relating to the Recon-
struction bill now bcfocc Congress:
Fust-If Gen. Grant shall neglect
or refuse to execute the provisions of
this law, or If in its execution he shall
act in an oppressive and cruel manner,
to what tribune shall he be amenable
for his malieasance?
Second-As by the terms of the
bill the President cannot interfere, can
General Grant be tried by court
martial, and if so by whose orders, and
who shall constitute the court?
Thid-Not being a civil officer,
can he be impcached2 If so, by
whom, ruR before what tribunal?
Fouth-If he cannot be arraigned
by any earthly tribunal, is he not
made an absolute dcspot?
Mr.. Bingham in reply said: l an
swer this sort of argument in the
word Of the great men who Termed
our Constitution, and who in forming
it proved themselves second to no men
that ever lived upon the earth, or to
whom were ever entrusted thcdestinics
of a great people. The language Of
Hamilton was, and it ought to be
written in the discussion on the very
lintels of your doors, that "it is in vain
that you impose constitutional shackles
on the right of a nation to defend its
own existence" Madison, who is call
ed father of the Constitution, took up
the worts and reiterated them in al
other form, saying, at is in vain that
you attempt to impose Constitutional
restrictions CA the impulse OF self pres
ervation." A law higher than that
given by Madison or Hamilton, ante
rior to the birth of nations upon the
earth, gave ont the law for the gov
crnment of individuals and collective
men: "Prescrve thy life" 1t is the
duty of the Nation, entrusted us it is
with the grandest and nobfest trust
that was ever committed to political
society, to preserve its own life. This
life was assailed for four long years by
armed revolt and treason. Three years
have elapsed since the surrender of
the armies to the rebellion. When
the cloud of battle lifted from the
stricken fields of the Potomac to the
banks of the Rio Grande, the fact was
disclosed that the State institutions,
Constitutional State Governments, had
perished in that conflict. The people
Of the United States asked no indem-
nifty for the past. They asked only Sc
ctrity for the future.
Let the people Of the country decide
between us, whether the people ofthe
South shall oppose taxation to reim-
burse the cost Of the rebellion, whether
they slialtimposc taxation to reimburse
the price of emancipated slaves, and
whether they shall come intotfre Halls
ofCongrcss in the epersons oftheirSena-
tors and representatives, to repudiate
and violate the plighted faith of this
nation. That is the issue which is
made up here. That is the issue on
which we go to the people. That is the
ground no which we enact this law.
We say to the General of the Army,
carry out the provisions of the this act
in good faith.
My colleague (N[r. Cary rises in
his seat and asks whether the General
Of the Army is responsible in case he
violates this law and tramples upon the
rights of the people? ? Iregret that
my colleague deemed it his duty to
make such inquiry. | say to the Gen
cral of the Army, 1 say to every other
judicial and executive officer of the
Government, that he is neither above
the people, nor above the peoples laws.
The General of our Army is but the
creature of Congressional enactment.
The breath which made him General
may unmakc him tomorrow. |
answer my colleague further, that
by the fifth section of the bill, if the
General of the Army be guilty Of any
violation of this law he is liable by its
very terms to be arraigned before the
civil tribunals of the United States on
an indictment, and held to answer for
his high misdemeanor, and on convic-
tion is liable to take his place in the
penitentiary and pay forfeit not
exceeding five thousand dollars. |
trust that my colleague issatisfied with
the severity of the penalty.
This strikes us as being rather well
said, for man that was "struck dumb"
by the profound reasoning of his ad-
versary. Will the Messenger publish
the dumb mans speech?