Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-08-14
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
BY UNDERGROUND RAILoAD


THURSDAY, Aug. 6. 1868.
MI. Argo resumed his remarks upon the
motion to reconsider the vote, by which
the special Militia (Police) bill passed its
third reading or yesterday. He went on
to say that the people Of the State were
never more anxious for peace and quiet
than at present. Il was untrue that the
people were disposed to resist, by armed
violence, the existing government. On the
contrary, he himself, with his party as much
as they deprecated a renewal of blood-shed
would take up arms to maintain the SUI
pre- macy Of the laws and the Constitution.
He argued that this force, If placed in
the hands of bitter and depraved partisan
leader, would be used to further the ends
! of party, regardless of the interest or liber-
ties of the whole people. This force will
entail upon our hard working and indus
trious people, who are hard pushed now to
pay their taxes, q debt of $3.50, 900, to
maintain it for the space of one month.
Mr.. A went on to show the direct and
plain violation, not alone of the State Con
stitution, but also that of the United States
He showed conclusively that there was not
the least necessity for such measure, and
setting aside it's unconstitutionality its I'M
just and tyrannical provisions, its enormous
likely to engender strife. He appealed to
all tair-minded men upon the floor, of all
parties, as to the course of the party in
the maj GRITTY in refusing full and fair dis
cussion of this bill-not even allowing the
short space Of an hour to the minority to
debate the matter. He was indebted to
the use of parliamentary tactics for the
short time which he had now to discuss
and show up, in its true colors, the vileness,
oppression and utter wickedness of the
measure.
Mr.. A. continued for some time to ex-
pose in an animated and eloquent manner
the outrage imposed by the bill upon con-
stitutional liberty, and in conclusion, pro-
tested, in the naIue of law, justice and lib
erty, against the final adoption of this in
| iQuitOus measure.
Mr.. Sinclair next took the floor and
argued that this substitute was the same as
tue orig inal, only a little more unconstitu-
| tional. He read long and able argument
from 3. I. Moore, ESQ, giving an opinion
as TO the unconstitutionality of the whole
bill. He (Alr. Moore) regarded it as Civ
| ing to the Governor the absolute control
of 5000 armed men, organized, armed and
modified. If the national army wera to
be raised on the same principle. we should
have to-day . standing army of 24O, 600
men. In his Mr.. Moore's) opinion, the
force raised cannot be maintained without
the consent of Congress. The letter went
on to point out the various ways in which
the bill was subversive of all constitutional
! liberty, and how it violated, in letter and
spirit, those vital and fundamental princi-
pies of law, which guarantee protection to
| life, liberty and property.
| Mr.. Sinclair resumed his remarks and
argued at length upon the merits of the
bill. These soldiers, he said, must be in
complete sympathy with their Commander
in Chief-a provision hitherto unknown in
the laws Of any country. You say that the
Republican party is the peoples party
that they. are afraid Of the people yet
how is it that you must have armed men to
carry on the government Do you, who
claim ma ority of 20, 900 in the State &C
knowledge that the State is being recon
structed against the will of the people, and
| the whole three years work, over which
Congress agonized, is nugatory unless this
State government is propped by six thou
sand bayonets
Mr.. Sinclair, in a most able and eloquent
speech continued his remarks. He opposed
the bill for several reasons LIST. Because
| it was clearly unconstitutional. 1t was not
militia, with the meaning of the provi-
sion or language of either the State or Ma
tional Constitutions. I'd. He was opposed
to it and asked for its reconsideration, be-
cause, if it became a law. it forever blazons
forth to the world the fact that Republican
governments are failure. Sd. He was
opposed to the bill, because, if it becomes
law, it stamps the whole work of recon-
struction as revolutionary and contrary to
the will of free people, and, therefore,
susceptible of preservation and permanency
only when supported by a standing army.
4th. He opposed it, becauseit would inau-
gurate and perpetuate disccrd, and, per
haps shedding of blood StNeen not only