The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-04-30
TROOPS AT THE POLLS.
Senator Bayard's Crushing Answer
to Senator Blaine.
New York City Invaded by Order Of the
Grant Administration.
A Precedent in American Politics That No
Republican Can Successfully Dodge.
New York World.l

unuer whose aomlnlstratlon IL began, ana
who is constantly mentioned by Republican
writers with admiration as the executive
who conducted it wissly and successfully
for the Union, certainly believed this and took
official action upon the belief 1t Ii urged
now by the Democratic party in Congress,
and Mr.. Blackburn, of Kentucky, has re-
Gently been singled out and vituperated in
most emphatic and particular manner for
urging that laws which were passed to meet
the conditions OF state of civil war ought
to be dropped from the statute book when
peace is reestablished. Certainly there can
be no more reason for maintaining in times
of p eace legislation expressly devised to
meet the conditions of time of war than
for maintaining and enforcing in times of
peace the costly ornaments set on foot
in time of war. This is SO OBJ.
vious that when the action of the
House of Representatives IN regard TO
our war legislation came up in the Senate
for discussion Senator Blaine sought to turn
aside the force of the Democratic arguments
in support of that action by asserting that
the war legislation of the Republican party
had never been enforced since the formal
close of the civil war. OF course this was
really concession of the whole issue to the
DcnOClaUC party, because IL Is unuenlaDle
that legislation that nobody dreams of en-.
forcing idly cumbers the statute books, and
ought as q matter of common sense and in
the interest of the statute books themselves
to be put out of the way. But this was by
no means the view taken of the matter
IN the press of the combination which
has taken command of the Republi-
can party in the interest of the re-
nomination of General Grant in 1880.
Their object was and is to secure il possible,
the retention OF the measures of the civil
war upon the statute book in order that they
may be used again, should the necessity
arise. as they have been repeatedly used
since the close of the civil war. to effect the
election of Government" candidates in the
United States, Just as the laws of public
safety, so called. have been repeatedly used
ment candidates in that country.
Senator Wallace intimated this dis
tinctly enough at the time when
Senator Blaine made these statements,
and pointed out very clearly the true nature
and the inevitable consequences of Senator
Blaine's proposition that power to use the
army at the polls in the States might safely
be left with the Federal executive, because
the Federal army is not so large as the inn
perial army, for example, which the EN-
peror Alexander H.. to the extreme delight
OF the New York Tribune, is now using to
crush out every vestige of civil liberty in
the vast empire of the Russ:as.
But Senator Bayard has since taken up
Senator Blaines proposition in q still more
merciless fashion. He has shown beyond
cavil or contention that in the second year
OF the first administration of General Grant
the troops and the men of war of the United
States were openly and DELIBERATELY used
under orders from Washington, issued by
two secretaries, one of whom has since been
put on his trial for official misconduct, and
rr1ft< @f t<w,tx
like fate, to influence and determine
election held not in any one of the Southern
States, but in this great city of New York.
This was In November, 1870. 1t will be
remembered that the Government
of President Grant was at that
thousands even of those who in 1868 had
voted it into power. The scandals of the
Santo Domingo conspiracy were then dis
turbing the faith of honest Republicans all
over the country. 1t is precisely at such a
time that the power OF a Government to get
itself represented at the polls by troops
wearing the national uniform is always most
dangerous to the public liberties and the in.
terests of the people. There was absolute
quiet in the metropolis but conscience did
make towards of the government of Grant,
Robson and Belknap, and these orders were
accordingly sent from Washington and
printed with much pomp and solemnlty in
the New York Tribune of November 8, 1870
[Official.I
WAR DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON CITY, Oct. q, 1870.
SIR-In view of the apprehension that there
may be possible opposition made o the United
States laws In connection with the coming
$50, the president directs that you instruct
Brigadier General Mcdowell, commanding the
department of the Fest, to hold the troops in
that vicinity in readiness for service during
civil Officers Of the United states in their ' duty
OF enforcing the laws. The engineer troops
and all Others in the harbor of New York and
vicinity will, for the occasion, be at his com
mand. You win instruct General Mcdowell
TO confer fully beforehand with the United
States marshal and the United States district
attorney, 10 concert with them proper mea-
sures, and to promptly respond to any call made
the week of the election, ordering them in
such numbers and to such points In the city
Tine Sne nresdsnt may Ssss ta the nse Of the
United states troops for the purpose indicated
will never be required, but the law must be
Mcdowell and tho officers and troops under
hrs command, while using the utmost discre-
eminent to enforce the law is fully carried out
but in the performance OF this duty they are
Gated to them by the authorized civil Officers
of the United States / am, sir, very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
VIM. w. BELENAP, Secretary of War.
Chauncey McKeever. Assistant Adjutant
| General.
| 0tucEdl w L. oucfIldU, C1lJtQ States ARMY,
| Washinton ID. G
| HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT. OF THE EAST
NEW YORK CITY, Nov. 5, 1870. :
L. The available officers and 200 non-com-
missioned officers and privates of the engineer
troops at Wlilett's Point, New York harbor,
will come to the headquarters building in this
city on next Monday evening, November Z, SO
as to arrive by 10 O'Clock p. M. prepared for
| armed service, and to remain at least till
| Wednesday morning. They will come In a
steamboat which the quartermasters depart
ment will send for them, and VIII be landed at
the foot OF Spring street (pier No. 43 North
river), and march thence and take the station
which may be shown them by the district
quartermaste-. They will bring a days cooked
rations. Facilities will be afforded in the
building for making hot coffee.
! az. All the available officers and men OF the
| Eighth infantry will he brought to the city on
Monday, the 9TH inst, TO arrive about 10 o'clock
! p. m. They will come prepared for armed
| service, with their overcoats and blankets, to
remain at least till Wedne sday morn ing, the
| 9Th inst. The colonel, with five companies,
win take post in building No. l6l Avenue B.,