Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-05-31
Garfield on Communism.

In the debate on the Army bill in the
House last week, Hon. James A. Gar
field Of Ohio, made speech which has
been pronounced the best of the pres
ent session. In his argument against
the reduction of the army he alluded to
the strikes of last summer and that fea-
ture of them in which workmen sought
by force to prevent other workmen
from laboring. He quoted Lord Macal-
ley's letter to Jefferson's biographer, in
which he prophesied the ruin of insti-
buttons, based on the votes of people,
counted by the head, and proceeding
upon the supposition that wise and un-
wise, learned and unlearned, the vicious
and good were all counted as equal units
together and he confessed that that let
ter often rang in his ear like an alarm
bell in the middle of the night.
what American, he asked, who ever
read that letter, did not recollect it last
summer, when belt of States reaching
from ocean to ocean were held under
bar; when no one knew whether the
torch was to mark the pathway of
America or whether order and peace
were to prevail? He did not himself,
believe in that doctrine of Macaulay's S.
Macaulay could not know the tremen-
dous power of universal education
which enlightened, ennobled, and fitted
for liberty the people of the United
States. There was no boy in America,
however poor he might be, who, under
the light of free institutions, might not
rise if he had brave heart, cool head,
and strong arm, until he was among the
foremost Of his generation and among
the best people. 1t was for that reason
he did not fear the Cassandra prophecy
of Macaulay. But, gentlemen, said he,
with great solemnity of manner, the
time will come when we will find it nee
cessary to fight for society [Sensation.
While | would do as much as | might
to secure the rights of laborers
against the iniquity of law and the
crushing power of capital, still, against
all corners, | am for the reign Of law
in this republic, and for enough of an
army to make it sure. Applause.
Therefore, hope that our good friend
from New York (Hewitt), whose stake
in the stability and good order of the
nation is greater than my own Gnas-
much as in a material way he is infinite
ly beyond my reach, will hel p to make
that stake secure for the whole country.
l hope he will consent to let an amend
ment be made to the bill that will fix
the army at % 900, and that he will let
the bill be recommitted, so that all it's
other parts may be adjusted in con-
formity Herewith.
In conclusion, after abiding to the
prevalence of party strife in this coun-
try, and the condition of society, he
most eloquently said but, gentlemen,
the time may come when we shall find
it necessary to fight for society, and
when that time comes, the very touch
of that contest will dissolve political
parties. All men will spring to the de-
fence of society against anarchy, of Or
der against chaos, and of law against
outrage. Where is the power that will
come in the final struggle to protect So
ciety if it be not in the constitution
and police power that the United States
can give at the supreme moment when
States are powerless and cities are
smoking in ashes? He then held up to
view bunch of papers and continued
Il hold in my hands brief bold, hur-
ried petition by telegraph from ten great
States of the Union, which all in the,
space of one week flashed their agony
out to the President of the United
States for help, calling out in their ago
ny for the army of the republic to shield
them in the hour Of their distress, and
yet my friends of this house would vote
to reduce the army to twenty thousand.
l therefore say boldly, while l should
say as much for the rights of labor, |
am for the rights of law in this Repub-
lie and for enough Of an army to make
it sure" At the close of his speech he
was loudly cheered by the Republican
side, and was Immediately surrounded
by members, who congratulated him
heartily. Among the first to 60 up to
him was Hewitt, of New York whose
arguments Garfield had answered most
forcibly."