The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-11-25
Troops in Washington,

throughout the country concerning the
movement Of troops to Washington. The
President and Secretary Of War disclaim
any political significance in the matter,
and state that al present army movements
are mere matters Of routine. Il is added,
however, that the troops now in Washing
ton win remain there until after tho pro-
idential Inauguration to act as the usual
escort and guard. When did such a thing
ever occur before2 Tho troops which
heretofore have acted as an escort Of honor
on the Inauguration of new President,
have arrived in Washington on the day
before, or on the same day Of the inaugu-
ration, and have departed Immediately
after. But now, more than three months
before they are needed for such purpose,
they are being concentrated at Washing
ton. The denial Of Grant and Cameron
that there is any political significance in
this movement, will avail nothing, for it is
unworthy Of belief. If thore be no SIMS
ter purpose in massing the regular army
at Washington, what mean the military
orders Of Gen. Russell, Of the Pennsylva-
MIA militia, who is said to have been called
to his post in Philadelphia to promptly
call to arms the militia Of that State.
Witness his military orders from that city,
repeated by his subordinates at Holidays
burg, Altoona and other places. Who
prompted this movement but Secretary
Cameron? What's the use of denying it,
when their acts so emphatically contradict
their words. What language is sufficient
ly contemptuous to express the true feel
ing Of every right thinking man for con-
duct like this? The President of the
United States and tho Secretary Of War,
in time Of profound peace, massiug the
regular army at the Capital and calling for
auxiliary aid from State militia, to dragoon
more than one-half Of the people of this
country into submission to one of the
basest, blacklist, and most daring outrages
upon popular suffrage ever contemplated
by the mind Of man. These men, called
to be the servants Of the people, actuated
and moved by their own brutal instincts
assume to be their masters and to lord it
over them by the strong arm Of military
power And this is done in the centen-
NAL year Of our existence, when we have
summoned the world to witness the ex-
cellency Of republican institutions, and the
evidences Of our advancement in the arts
and sciences, and particularly in the science
Of government Shade of Washington
Shall this republic of free and independent
States founded by the wisdom and valor
of your compatriots in arms still live, or
shall it die at the hands fhim who through
the fortuitous circumstance of being at
the head of the power Of the American
people, saved it from disunion only that it
might ignobly perish Of corruption, fraud
and brute force ? Did the noble army Of
martyrs to liberty who laid down their
lives to found here an asylum for the OPP
pressed Of all lands where human rights
might be secure, and periled all in the white
heat Of a revolutionary struggle, merely
that their sons and successors, hundred
years later, should be subjected to q worse
than slavic despotism?-worse than slavic,
we repeat, because the Slavonians never |
knew what it was to enjoy the privilege of |
self government This military demon
stration is standing menace and an in
suit to every citizen Of the country. 1t is
brutal and degrading, setting at naught
the milder and more rational processes of |
the constitution and the laws. President
Grant and Secretary Cameron should
remember that they win soon cease to be
part and parcel Of the government, and
that when they have laid aside the port
folio Of public concerns, they viii find that
they have, by their own acts, placed Gin
every honest hand whip to lash them
naked round the world"
The NeU York Tribune, paper which
has lately become thoroughbred parti-
Ean, swallowing everything Radical with
out hesitation, pauses at this military de-
1t says:
tit is difficult to understand the necessity |
Of concentrating even small number Of |
troops in Washington at this time, as the |
Government seems to have been doing. The |
counting Of the electoral vote is yet three |
months Of, and the inauguration month /
further. There IS no hint or threat anywhere /
Of violence or Of armed resistance to the in. /
auguration Of the President who shall finally
be found to have been legally elected Both |
parties are behaving with admirable dscre-
ton and reserve, considering the inhammable |
'f-.*tc9
candidates are the two quietest men in the +
country. Everywhere there has been the NJ
most good order, and the record ofthe people
in these two weeks Of patient suspense has
been such as to make every American proud /
Of his country In this condition Of things,
there is surely no immediate need of extra /
troops a. Washington, and it is to be hoped
here will be none in the near future. The
episode IS to be regretted, because the mys-
cry kept up by some members Of the Cabinet
Is 70 the meaning Of the movement will arouse
suspicion among Democrats and excite feel
ng at time when every effort should be made
oward mutual torbearance and good under
Handing. 1t may be that it was merely
hought wiser TO bring ia these troops at a
lime Of political quiet than later, when there
nay be greater excitement ind possible tu-
multi # that isit, why not say 50 n
It has been suggested that this military
fray Is an evidence Of Grants inner con-
ciousness Of guilt; and, that, taking coun-
q Of his fears, knowing himself to be
guilty Of conspiracy against fair cleo
Ion, he has called these troops around him
or his own safety This view Of the case
.nt .on ut,r,.afh;..x< = "a. ill.,. .-L o.