The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-03-31

I.AecutIVe against their Will the repeal of
the law which the Democrats made, it is
sufficient reason for starving the Govern.
I ment. That is the revolutionary element in
this discussion. The last act OF Democratic
domination In this House eighteen years
ago was revolutionary, but it was heroic
and lIgll-souied. Then the Democratic
party said, 'If you.elect your President we
Will shoot your Union to DEATH and your
leaders withdrew from their seats and
flung down the gage OF battle. We all
know what followed. Now, after eighteen
years, the book OF your domination is
opened where you turned down the leaf in
1861, and you signuliZe your return TO
power by reading the second chapter, which
DEGREES that II we do not let you dash a
statute from the book you will starve the
| Union to death by refusing appropriations"
Mr.. Garfield then referred 10 what he said
was settled Democratic doctrine, that the
Iaw which could not be passed over veto
had no right to become law, and the ONLY
redress was all appeal from the veto to the
people, and said: awe pick up the gage
Of battle which you throw down, and will
appeal to on. common sovereign, the peo-
pie, TO see whether you shall break down
1.-The principle OF free consent in legislation
At the price OF starving the Government to
death. On this ground we plant ourselves.
You shall not compel Us; you shall not
cocrce Us. even 10 save the Government. un-
til the question has gone to the sovereign,
the people, to determine whether it will
! consent TO break down any OF its voluntary
powers"
Mr.. Garfield was replied I'd by Mr.. Me
Mahon, OF Ohio, who asked what was the
meaning OF the invitation to the South TO
return to the UGion-io return to Congress,
to take part in the government Of the coun-
try-if when it did SO. and its members at
tempted to speak for liberty at The polls,
they were to be denounced as rcvoIuiion-
ISIS and accused OF trying to starve the
Government to death? He said the
charge That attaching the repeal OF an
| Objectionable law to an appropriation
Dill was revolutionary, came with i'll
| grace from the Republicans, since they had
Often passed measures in that very way, and
had upheld it rs protection against arDitra-
ry power. The statute.books were full OF
infamous laws enacted by the Republicans.
Some OF them his party Di opposed to repeal
now, and others at a future time, which,
ne thanked God, was not far distant, when
all the departments OF the Government will
De IN the hands Of the Democrats. Then
the gentleman from Ohio would witness the
revolution which wa: always going on when
Republican official was to be put out OF
Office. Laugh!cr.] Mr.. McNahon then
proceeded 10 argne in favor OF prohibitin"
the use n1 troops ut the polls.
| MI. McNahon was followed bv Mr..
| Wood, OF New York, who gave history OF
the bill OF 1860 in question. shown. it was
passed by Republican Congress; to remedy
the grave abuse OF authority conferred on
the President by the law OF 1861. The scn-
t!eman from Ohio had opposed the former
bill because it limited the Presidents powcr.
He (Wo od) had voted Tor it because it wa;
Il great Improvement on the law OF 1861
previously in force. 1t was in the same
line that lis side OF the House was now
acting to get rio Of all OF these uncon IL
tional, dcSpotic, and outrageous laws. The
| Democratic parry was now in power, and
intended to maintain the civil authority OF
the Government. They were willing to 20
before the people on the great issue whether
this is IA military dtspotisnl, whether tic
members OF Congress are to be cIrcted 4:
the point OF the bayonet, or whether the
people Of the United States, NORTH and
South, are 10 stand on the equal platform Of
free suffrage, uncontrolled save by their
own conscience and judgment.
Some further remarks By Mr.. White, OF
Pennsylvania, and others, closed fnr tic
Gay debate which excited the dcepcS! in
terest on tue floor and in the galleries, it
| being regarded as the opening OF Il great
parliamentary contest. The galleries were
| flied with an attentive and occasionally eX-
cited audience. and among the listeners
on the floor were Secretaries EVarts. and
| Sherman and many senators.
The House adjourned till Tuesday, when
the debate will hc resumed, Mr.. DelIord, OF
Colorado. having the floor.