Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-23

interference of the military 10 the Legislature,
Interfering under the pretence Of preserving
peace, marching men out who were elected at
the swords point That was new way of
organizing Legislature He could not vote
for the resolution, not because it was Repub-
lican measure, but because it was wrong in
principle and wrong in fact. He quoted then
from the proclamation Of the President in May,
1874 recognizing the Baxter government ID
Arkansas, and proclaimiDg its opponents as in
surgents Then 10 February, 1875, he sends
in message expressing the belief that Brooks
was elected What does this mean Further
quoting from the Presidents message on this
occasion, speaking of the alleged design OF Ger.
tain Southern States to change their recon
strucion constitutions, and asking If this
thing be permitted, &c, MIR. j. asked what
does this mean ? Does it mean that the con-
situations of all those States are to remain for
ever fixed and uualterabe unless changed by
the Federal Government
Further, quoting from the same message in
| which the President asks Congress to relieve
him from further responsibility" This is the
Won don't will How this thing IS gaining.
We have an empire laid off in the South for q a
military commander We have the force bill
|
ana aud Arkansas 1t is il pretty good step to-
ward dictator. Next we may look for re.
volutien in this or the other House declaring
A or b President for certain term of years.
What is there to prevent it? Where is your
army? Where is your navy? 1t is under the
control Of the uailed heel of power He told
warned them that there was danger ahead
| 4 I'D obs outip no hnI
stood here aud warned his couulrymcn of the
dangers ahead; of the bloody strife that was
ahead He had proved that time prophet
he wished he had not. Now be warued them
again Of tho danger which Was coming, showl
by the encroachments Of power; shown by the
utter disregard Of the laws and Of the ConSltu
ton. Don't talk about party; there had beer
too much Of party. Let the people rise; let us
save the country; let the people arraign peri
dious aud trallorous administration that is
striving to overthrow the liberties OF the
country.
He had always made the Constitution bis
guide; by thar sacred instrument he would al
ways stand, and when he saw II Invaded and
cucroached upon, he would rise up and uttel
| his warnag He did not care at this time tC
discuss the question OF The sovereignty OF tho
States, but would pass bryoud that. The pco
pie were sovereign; they Wore the crown; they
were the source OF power, AMI hey can change
their government. This is the source of power
upon which he fixed himself; bui now the at
temp! Vas to fix the power iu he General Gov
crnmeut-turu States upside down. l. II lis re.
turn to our muOrlngs. gu back 10 the source oil
power give Us the constitutions; give US back
the Constitution that you have taken away;
| dou't give inc usurpatiou; dou't give me arbl-
trary power; let u, back 10 the pale Of the Con-
slitutiUu; ii We do not, our country is gone Let
us all unite as band vi brothers 10 save it as
our fathers gave it TO Us. We have now sat
rapy, military Government. Every day the
encruachmeuls upon the Constitution are plain,
papable and gross. II We are disposed to take
| up questions rs gerlnaue as this is, how mauy
subjects might bc considered.
lie would say to this dictator as Cato said 10
| the ambassador Of Cesar. Go aud tell him to
| disband his legIOns and restore the common-
wealth ts liberties He would say, DO this,
| disband your legons, restore to this common
wealth her liberties, restore TO her peace aud
| prosperity; do this, and |, even one so humble
as |, will mount the rostrum and for the
sake of peace and harmony, will strive wlhthe
people to grant pardon for all The wrong and
outrage otthe past
God preserve the country and let it be saved.
He would rather now that this Capitol should
fall in ruins, these pillars should crumbe, than
that the country should not be saved. Ia the
language of Webster, "lIet the Union be one
and inseperable, now and forever" He be-
sought Senators to clme up 10 this grand work
OF saving the CONSTITUTIONS the country
for the safety Of one meant the safety of the
other; forgetting all that was past, and laying
aside all personal feelings and all personal diff.
fereuces In conclusion he thanked the Senate
for the kindness and attention with which he
had been listened TO. Applause in the gal
leries