Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-04-23
Senator Davis, Of Illinois, Enters into a
Digest or the Discussions OF the Army
Bill, and Produces One OF the
Leading Legislative Papers
OF the Day on the
Subject.


ployes in the secretary and sergeant alarms
was taken mp on Senator Edmunds's substi-
tute, which was opposed by Senator Pendle-
ton and advocated by Senator Conkling.
Owing TO the absence of Senator Edmunds,
the resolution went over until to morrow.
Senator Pendieton gave notice that on
Thursday, after the disposition of the army
bill, he would call up his bill providing for
giving the heads of departments seats on
the floor Of the senate and house. Consld-
GRAFTON was then resumed of the army bill.
Senator Garland addressed the senate, say
ing that two questions were to be considered
first whether the eight words ''or to keep
the peace at the polls" should be repealed;
second, If so, If 1t was right and proper to Sc
cure their repeal on an Appropriation bill.
Such questions could not have been long de-
bated IN the house of commons, and he was
surprised at determined opposition among
the representatives of free people to the
abrogatiou of eaactments hostile to perfect
liberty. No extra ordinary emergency existed
to Justify the use of troops, and without such
an excuse the country could not submit to
war practices in time of profound peace.
Passing to the question of the propriety OF
attaching the proposed repeal TO an appro-
priation bill, Senator Garland said the prac-
tice was an old and established one, and,
whatever its faults, 1t could not be uprooted
save by constitutional amendment. he re-
viewed some of the notable instances of sim
liar action by Republican maj0ritles, and said
the cry of revolution was raised too late to be
sincere. He alluded to Senator Blaine's emu
meration of the consequences OF failure to
provide for the expenses OF the government,
and declared that rather than see the llber-
ties of the humbest citizen longer abridged
by a law which it was In the power OF con-
gress to repeal, he would see the capitol
crumble to pieces, the ships rot at their
moorings, and the supreme court unfrocked.
But there was no intention to employ coer-
cion Each department of the government
was and should be independent in its action,
and if each did its duty according to the
spirit of the institution, he looked forward
to continued prosperity and brilliant future
for the country.
Senator Davis His THE caucus is an
important factor IN American politics, and
both the great parties Of the country employ
its agency on the theory that early acti IN is
most easily performed by this method. He
did not complain of the mode adopted to
reach results, but as he had been for many
years viewing public affairs from an indie
pendent standpoint, it did not help him any
to decide any question that might come be-
fore the seuate. Although usually preterring
to give a silent vote, he could not suffer this
measure to be passed without saylag some
thing on the subject. The heat that has
been manifested on the occasion of this de-
bate had surprised him, if anything could
surprise him In politics. A stranger, unac-
customed to our modes OF debate, would
suppose that the Union was in danger, and
that the old questions OF passion, preJadlces
and purposes, which, it had been thought,
were laid aside forever, were again revived,
and this, too, fourteeni years alter the rebel
lion was conquered, and when there was not
complaint from any quarter that the Fed
eral compact presses too hard upon one sec
ton at the expense OF another, and when the
Federal government Is obeyed throughout
IL, i. \
seem to be the least ground for the excite
ment and bitterness that have characterized
the discussions in congress at this session,
and | should be amazed were 1t not that the
record of all parties that majOrities invaria-
bly, commit legislative wrongs, and that mt
norItIes invariably protest against them. 1t
it be true, as charged, that the success OF the
great parties OF the country tReaGs revelation
and ruin to constitutional liberty of what value
would be the securities of the government,
| or, indeed, any other species of property?
la the nature of things, if a revolu-
ton was impending, or there was any
danger apprehended to free government OF
popular liberty, the government would not
| be abe to sell bonds at four per cent. inter-
est, nor the stock market IN New York main
! tain its present high rate. This charge, Mr..
/ President, is mere fiction, and has no founda-
J tions but 1t promises infinite mischief, and
| tends to deuloraisse the country and every
| material interest in it, Glar@ the thoughtess
| and timid, unsetttes business apd values, and
produces state OF unrest In every commu-
| nifty. 1t may succeed in winning elections,
| but it cannot restore prosperity. That great
] object can never be accomplished through
the continuance of sectional strife and the vlo-
| lenee that accompanies 1t. Nor do believe
| the peOple are In the mood Tor this kind of
politics They have had more than fge years
of harsh experience. and they want to fad
| some mode of reliet froM their present suf-
| fering and impoverished condition, and they
| will honor the statesman who contributes to
their stock of knowledge on this subject,
rather than TIE political leader who will not
let the past alone, I have no present con-
Germ, Mr.. President, IN tss Flse ard fall of
parties, but am deeply solic .tohs ta2t the
affairs of the government shall be so admin
isteEed that labor seeking employment can
obtain it; that oil industrial pursuits will be
| suitably rewarded, and heart be given to the
| people of the north and south to YORK out Ct
their present em6arrassments, We are Cne
people, of the same blood and with the sans
destiny, and unity OF feeling is essential 10
lift Hs out OF the mIre and to hell us on the
road to prosperity. The different parts of
our common country are sointimately connect
ed IN trade and commerce, tkat as general
rule whatever ipjuriously affects one past has
correspond ding effect on the other, and
whatever benefits one beaefts the other. 1t
Is, Mr.. Pre- sident, In my judgment, the I'M
peIative du5y of congress, instead OF turn
ing the attention of the people back IN his
tory, with its animoslhes, TO direct lt to the
troubled business interests of the country
grd the way 10 relieve them. With the past
| buried, RaA discussions on the living issues,
the people would soon regain that confidence
which is essential In any piaR for relieving
{ the present hard times. It may be that such
a course woulG affect the fortunes Of parties,
for both parties IN congress on any question
of practical legislation fall to pieces, but il
would have a most beneficial effect upon The
fortunes of the country. Without intending tc
reflect upon the patriotism of either party, il
| docs not appear to me that the speeches on the
! pending bill represent the wishes OF
opinions of the l,aSSses of either section. Ex
pe.ience has taught them trgt the Legitimate
business principles which lead 70 wealth 2nd
social happiness require cessation fror
} agitation on past subjects, and that sound
policy dictates the cultivation OF peace anG
good will between the sections. The country
Mr.. President, cannot be prosperou
so loaz rs the old conflict between
! the north ana soath is used at each recurrlnl
Presidential election as th1 lrstrumentahtl
! OF party success, and the statesman VIC sal
rise equal to the occasion and put it at res
will receive the gratitude of the suffering
people. The bill oeioTe ms is for the supper
. OF the army for the ensuing Rs6Gl year. i
is attacked because the sixtieth section alter
T the provisions OK the revised statutes. Sec
ton 2002 of these statutes reads as follows
mo military or naval officer, or other person
engaged in the civil, military or naval service
!, of the United States, shall order, bring, keel
|, or haze under his authority or control AM
, troops o. aTEaSd pen at a place where AMI
general or speciai et8etop Is held in any
State, unless IL be necessary ~ E&pel enemies
OF the United States. or 10 keep peace az tht
/ Iells;" and section 552S is in these words
! "Every oticer of the army or navy, or othe