The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-02-04

i
arms in their possession and falling to re-
| turn them upon demand, shall be eonsid-
cred guilty OF misdemeanor and be liable
to fine and imprisonment, and making
former militia officers responsible for arms
distributed by them /; adopted.
| Mr.. GRAY, (col.) moved a suspension of
the rules and that the bill be read third
time and be eDgrossed. Mr.. Bennett OPP
posed the bill he thought it would have a
bad effect the peace of the State would be
disturbed, instead of maintained. The pas
sage of the bin would be declaration of
war against the people and the taxpayers.
He was in favor of protecting life, and
liberty and property, but he was not in favor
of this outrage.
Mr.. Taylor said he hoped the second sober
thought might defeat the bill. The bill
was conceived in sin and brought forth in
| Iniquity, it should be entitled an act to pro-
| duce strife between the races. If the Sena-
tors wished to see the red hand of war
throughout the State, they might pass this
bill. If intended to intimidate the white
people il will certainly fail in its intention.
We have and will give up our treasure;
but when it comes to yielding up our hon
or we will meet the issue with firmness and
determination Peace and harmony pre-
walls throughout the State, the passage of
this bill will place in their stead discord and
disorder. There were troubles in Austin
and Vicksburg and he asked the Republican
members who were the aggressors in those
disturbances The bill gives the Governor
the power to subvert the civil authorities !;
mis- argument is to be the power of cold
steel his will, the law. He was not opposed
to a proper organization of the militia, but
the bill had no features to commend it to
the lovers of the. Estate. He opposed the bill
not because he was Democrat, but from
higher motives it is firebrand that is to
be thrust among the people; it is PROPOSE
ton that will drive citizens to seek homes
in other States it is bill to make political
capital to give men Office to fatten upon the
treasury. 1t will bring anarchy and ruin
upon the State. He asked Republican Sem
.ators to think deliberately before they voted
for the bill.
Nh. PRICE offered an amendment substi
tuting ''power to" the Governor, instead of
requiring him to organize and equip the
regiments.
Mr.. WARNER said, ia favoring the bill, he
would do it conscientiously, and for the best
interests of the State. The gentlemen had
spoken of what might occur. He believed
the people of the State wanted peace, and he
therefore would vote for the bill. The Gov
ernor is a mere figure head; what militia
has he? What is he commander-in-chfef
of? (Mr. Allen--Capt Halls company
Mr.. WARNER. He has not soldier to COM
mand when riots and disturbances occur.
agree il is a sad state of affairs when the
civil must give away to military. Went
on to cite the arrest of Judge in New Or
leans by Gen. Jackson and the interference
with the Kansas Legislature as evidence of
the interference of military authority over
civil for public good. He believed if the
Governor had militia at his command, the
Vicksburg disturbances would not have |
occurred the Governor should have forces |
at his command to put down turbulant ard |
riotous bodies. He wanted peace; the |
majority of the people wanted peace; the |
bill would give peace.
Mr.. ALLEN opposed the bill for the reason /
that it gave the Governor unprecedented
powers its waste of money, and its proposed
disturbance of the peace. The bill
gives the Governor power to distribute the
arms to such persons as he may see tit. Who
will he give them to? Will Democrat get
one? Will white man? No. The test of
loyalty with the Governor is color; with
him every white man is disloyal He had
heard the Governor say before che Congress
'ional Investigating Committee that this
was his test. He said, with the Governors
Known views upon this subject he would
lrm colored men alone, and it would bring
IN race war. He would tell the Governor
hat the white people wanted peace, but
hey will be ready and are not afraid to meet
he issue. He referred to the Vicksburg
roubles, and Ames action in issuing
orders to the negro militia only, al
hOugh there were white companies
here. He said that it is apparent
hat this bill was to cement the colOred peo-
Die against the white people. Senators
night say what they pleased about the
Vicksburg disturbances, but they might as
plainly, that they could not march such
orce through his section of the country for {
he same purpose for which the armed mob {
INVADED Vicksburg; they would have a
treat deal larger death roll than that mob.
they could not march such force through t
lis county for any such purpose, unless it s
Fas guarded and thanked by the United '
tates forces, and they need not try it, &
Mr. PRICE favored the bill provided his