Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-09-29
BY THE HON. A. r. BoTELER.

A few days before the close of the
Thirty sixth Congress, which will be
/ remembered as the eventful Congress
that Immediately preceded the war,
received a number of letters from CON
! servatiye sources similar in their i'm
port to the following from well-known
Union man, who was at that time
member of the Virginia Legislature:
RICHMOND, VA, Feb. 25, 1861.
My DRAR SIR: Let me say to you,
in all earnestness, that the passage, at
this time, of Mr.. Stauton's Force bill
will do US, in Virginia, infinite harm.
The dis-unionists, one and all, will clap
their hands in very ecstacy if the meas
ure prevails. Already some Of our con-
seryative friends in the convention have
given way. Many, | fear, will follow.
The States rights sensibilities of our
people are already wounded. If the
bill passes, verify believe that ali ordi-
nance of Secession will be passed in
two days thereafter. For Gods sake,
for the country's sake, do not lptH pass!
Yours truly, Jos. SEGAR.
Hon. A. II. BorELER, House Of Repre-
sentatives, Washington, d. G.
The bill referred to in the foregoing
letter had been reported to the House
on the 18Th of February from the Com
mttee on Military Affairs by its chair
man. the Hon. Benjamin Stanton, OF
Ohio. 1t extended the provisions OF
the Act of 1895, "for calling forth the
militia" and those of the Act of 1907,
s'for the employment OF the land and
naval forces of the United States" so
as not only to place the latter-the reg
ular army and navy-at the disposal OF
the incoming President, but also to con
fer on him the plenary power to call
out and control the militia, ard to au-
thorize him, beside, to accept the ser
vices of an unlimited number of voIun-
teers. who should be on the same foot
lug as the regular forces of the United
States, and whose officers should all be
commissioned by himself.
MIR. srANToN's DETERMINATIc
On the day after the introduction OF
the bill, and before an opportunity was
had to examine its provisions, an at
tempt was made TO pass it without de-
bate under the operation of the previous
question. This effort, however, was
successfully resisted, aud a limited dis
cussion of it was allowed, which lasted,
at intervals, until the lst Of March-the
Friday before Mr.. Lincoln's Inaugural
tion-when it was understood that the
measure would then be put upon its
passage, SO that the Senate might have
an opportunity TO act upon it before the
end of the session. Observing Mr..
Stanton's anxiety that day to get the
floor for the avowed purpose of having
the bill disposed of without further de-
lay, and knowing that if he should call
it up it would be carried by large ma
iorily, inasmuch as the secession of the
cotton States and the consequent with
drawal of their members OF Congress
had left the conservatives of both Hous-
es completely in the power of the ex-
tremists of the dominant party, resol-
we'd 10 make personal appeal to him
in the torlorn hope that, possibly, he
might be persuaded TO refrain from
pressing his measure to vote. Ac-
cordingly / went over to his desk, aud
used every argument | could think of
to induce him TO forego his determine
ton. But all in vain. He was utterly
obdurate; and finally said to him;
"lIr. Stanton, your bill is thwarting
the efforts of the conservative men Of
Virginia who are striving to prevent
her secession, and to avert the calamity
of civil war If you persist in its pas
sage the effect will be 20 convince our
people that the policy Of coercion is a
foregone conclusion. The secessionists
of our State convention at Richmond,
though now in minority, will be en-
abled thereby to carry their point, and
Virginia will be forced out OF The Union
against her will"
"\Nel!!" said he, folding his arms,
aud leaning back in his chair, "Well,
what if she does 60? If that is to be
her course, so be it. | have contempla-
ted the possibility of such contingen-
cy for some time past. Governor Wins
low, over there, can tell you of talk
| had with him on the subject two
years ago. l said then, as | say now,
that in the event of a separation OF the
North and South on the basis of our re-
spective systems of labor-slave and
free-I suppose we'll have to submit to
it; and have made up my mind TO do
so; provided we can keep up our social
and commercial intercourse unrestricted
between the sections"
Though have never allowed my
self" said ], "to look forward to such
contingency, and don't believe that
there will be permanent separation OF
the two sections on the basis OF their
labor systems, notwithstanding the un-
toward action and attitude of the cotton
States, vet | consider it 10 be ;he boun-
deu duty of us all in this crisis to do
everything in our power TO prevent the
possibility of such calamity. And
as an ounce Of prevention is worth
pound of cure, l therefore beg and eD,
treat you not to press this bill Of yours"
"1'is useless" be replied, ito say
anything further. I'm sorry that can
not comply with your request; for the
bill must pass, and pass the House this
evening.
cam then to understand" / asked,
"that this is party measure, and one