The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-04-08
THE ARMY BILL.


"You said, in 1861, that The doctrine
OF secession must be accepted, or we
will shoot down the Government. -
That was an open, manly declaration.
You say, in 1879, You must accept
Democratic dictation, or we will starve
out the Government. That is base,
mean, cowardly. In 1885, before the
War, when the Democracy was in its
prime, you considered il necessary,
wise, and constitutional that the Unit.
ed States Marshals..sliould have power
TO use the United States army, navy,
or marines as posse TO search the
houSe OF every Northern man in pur-
suit Of fugitive slaves. In 1879, the
negro being free and voter, you think
ID unwise, dangerous, and unconstitu-
tional for the United States Marshals
to havea posse to command either the
army, the navy, or the marines, or an
armed civil posse to protect the negro
at the polls, and you threaten 10 starye
ont the Government unless that law is
repealed"
With sentiments like these, address
ed to the snti-bellum leaders in the
House, Gen. Garfield
oPESED THE GREAT DEBATE
TO day. II Vas probably the best ef-
fort Of his life. The Republican side
OF the House was electrified. The
Democrats we're dismayed. Every
Democratic member kept his seat dur.
ing this memorable speech, anxious TO
know how the Bourbon leaders would
meet it. Every Republican kept his
place pleased to hear so clear a state.
ment OF the Republican position. pain.
ed TO know that in the progress OF
events, the politics OF eighteen years
ago has returned. Alexander Stephens
had spoken, and had rolled himself like
a mummy upon wheels in his vain, ego
tistical way about the Chamber, and
had trimmed 10 the Bourbon side, as is
his custom.
Springer, the presiding officer, after
hearing arguments upon the points OF
order, had read an opinion ruling in
amendment, which was written before
the arguments we're made, and had de-
clared that the House is without rules
and is drifting pointlessly.
When Gen. Garfield rose 20 speak
there was instant silence aud attention.
The Democrats waited eagerly TO hear
the first declaration OF the Republican
position upon the merits, and TO learn
from him what truth there was in the
rumors that the Republicans were like
ly 10 become timid, yielding minority
His first sentences carried the conyic-
tion Of
THE TERRIBLE EARNEsTSEss on THE RE-
PUBLICASs.
His concluding words made the Dem.
ocrats fear that IL the speech is not 10
l change the DEGREES Of the Democratic
caucus. il is destined to startle the
people Of the Republican North. 1t
was 10 be an appeal from the fiat Of the
secret Democratic league To the God
crowned, God-annointed sovereignty
/ Of the people.
Some OF the leading points Of this
remarkable speech may be here sum.
married.: Gen. Garfield began with
consciousness OF the deep So
4 lemnity OF the crisis into which the
4 Democracy has forced the country.
I His words showed the depth OF his con-
victions. I'VE have" he said, ITO.
/ day resolved TO enter upon revolution
against the Constitution Of the UOited
States Free consent is our theory OF
law. That is the granite foundation
stone OF our whole political structure.
4 Yet in the last Congress the Democrat
ic leaders announced the policy OF CO.
ercion, which il inaugurated here TO.
day. Your methods are revolutionary
TO the core. They are contrary TO the
/ principles OF American institutions.
Then, with mastery skill, Gen. Gar
field sketched the history OF the law
which it is proposed to repeal, aud
showed that II originated with the
\ Democrats, was
\ SUPPORTED BY DEMOCRATS, AND opposed
BY REPUBLICASs
only, aud that among those Democrats
who voted for il in the Senate and
House Hendricks, johnson, McDoug-
al, Powell, Salisbury. Richardson Of
/ Illinois, Fernando Wood, Speaker
\ Randall, and George II. Pendleton.
Against this bill in the Thirty-eighth
Congress not single Democratic vote
was cast. Yet this repeal measure is
/ presented when there has been no CON-
/ plant from any quarter, when there is
no memorial upon the files OF Congress
asking for the repeal, and the Demo
Gratis insist that il they cannot repeal
/ the Law which the Democrats made it
! shall be sufficient ground TO starye the
I Government.
George Pendleton, now Senator. sat
facing Gen. Garfield when this record
was brought mp. Ills countenance
showed that he could make no an
swer
Fernando Woods face grew red as
/ crimson, and his white mustache as
suused paler hue as the record
which he hoped bad been forgotten
showed that "In 1861 the appeal was
taken 10 public opinion to know wheth
er the Government should be shot 10
death, and now the appeal IL taken TO
the same sovereignty 10 see whether
you shall break down the principles Of
free consent IN legislation at the price
OF starving the Government TO death.
You shall not compel us, even 10 save
this Government, TO break down any
OF its fundamental powers. On that
ground we plant ourselves.
And with this declaration OF the ter
rible earnestness Of the Republican po-
sition, Gen. Garfield closed his
speech.
The answers that we're made and at
tempted on the part of the Democrats
were feeble, and a speedy adjournment
was forced TO give the Democracy an
opportunity TO rally from the confusion
into which they had been thrown by
Gen. Garheld's argument, aud 10 pre-
pare in what way they might 10 meet
H.
IL becomes hourly more evident that
Congress has entered upon the begin
ming Of a long road that has no turn.
Both parties have taken suoh positions
upon this political legislation that
there seems TO be no possible ground
for compromise or for an escape from
the impending deadlock, aud all its
consequences. Democratic members
are already beginning 10 talk about re-
naming in session until the dogdays.
and intimate there may be no adjourn.
ment until December.
The Down.Trodden south.