The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-04-14

courts to eompe, them to observe and
protect the rights, privileges, and i'm
/ munities of citizens. There is no legal
machinery for the purpose. There can
be none. The case has arisen, as con-
templated by Mr.. Justice Mclean, when
the Federal Government must resort to
its own agencies to carry its own au-
thority into execution. Hence this bill
throws open the doors of the United
States courts TO those whose rights I'M
der the Constitution are denied or i'm
paired. 1t Furnishes by appropriate
penalties those who combine and con.
spire to defeat the securities to life and
personal protection guaranteed by the
supreme law, and it provides an effect
ual mode TO suppress Instruction and
rebellion,
Every consideration of Justice and
good faith requires that protection be
given to all classes in all States; 10 per-
sons of every complexion and of what
ever politics. 1t may not be singular
that following the war, which so imper-
| lied the country, which SO infiamed an-
| imosities and hates, which SO changed
in the southern States the order of So
ciety, that there should be the antago-
nisms and lawlessness that prevails.
That but few districts may need such
Legislation may be true but if it is need
ed anywhere it should be had. We
keep an Army ana Navy to protect
American lives and American interests.
Ii, in foreign lands, but single Ameri-
can citizen is denied his just rights the
power of the Government Is invoked to
his protection. If, on our frontiers, q
single family is captured or slain by
savages the Army is put in motion to
avenge the injury and secure quiet to
the community So, where the eonsti-
tutionai power exists, the same beneii-
ent and strong hand of the Government
should be extended to protect the weak
and defenseless in our own borders, and
at our own doors. f-r
see nothing in the provisions of this
bill to alarm the innocent or to disturb
the law abiding citizens. Its provisions
of punishment are leveled only against
the lawless. II restraints no man in the
exercise of any legal or natural right or
privilege. The man of lawful purposes
may pursue undisturbed every just av-
ocatlon of life. Its penalties are for 1
the conspirator and the assassin. It is
said that the law is inexpedient, that it
will exasperate the people of some
States. But why eXasperateY Will it !
ezasperate communities where there
are no such combinations as are sought
to be punished? Do innocent and Just
men become eXasperated because the |
statute-books contain laws for the pun |
isbment of murder and robbery? Ger |
tainly not. The law is a terror only to |
evil-doers.
But it is said that too large a discre-
ton is given to the President. do not
think SO. The defamation about mar
tial law and despotism tends only to
excite unreasonable prejudice and I'M
founded apprehension. Martial law |
can only be declared under the bill
when unlawful combinations are so Or
ganiZed, armed, numerous, and power |
tul as to be able by violence to defy or
overthrow the authorities of State. or
where the constituted State authorize |
are in completely with the conspiratorss
and this can only be done after due
proclamation commanding the insur- |
gents to dispense. ..zes
Sir, this bill is MEASURE of peace and |
safety. Let it be passed into a law, and
the hundreds and thousands now trem-
bling for their lives, and ready to flee |
from their homes for safety, will be re-
assured and protected. 1 have no fear
of any arbitrary execution of its pro-
visions. The forbearaHce and justice
which have always characterized the |
Administration of the present Chief
Executive of the Government is guar
execution of the law; and by its own
provisions the law is to expire at the
end of fourteen months from the pres
ent time. l do not admit that this bill |
has been conceived in any hostility TO
any section. 1t is the greatest good |
that the Government can do to the |
country to give its people quiet and Sc
curity- Instead of being hostile |
measure, it is to be the guarantee to
disturbed communities of future quiet |
and repose.
For myself, my first wish is to zee the |
bonds of amity and fraternity among
the people of our common country
grow stronger with time and more firm |
and abiding with the lapse of years. |
Let the different classes of our popula- |
tons feel that the interest and welfare !
of one is the interest and welfare of all (; |
that disorder and disorganization any
where is an evil and a reproach to the
whole Commonwealth to be depreca-
ted and repressed by the common effort |
of all. / believe this bill will do much /
to restore order, to suppress violence |
and give repose to the country; that it
is in harmony with the fundamental |
law; that it is demanded by the exig-
encies of the country, and shall cheer
fully vote for the measure.