Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-05-07
NEW SERIES--VOL. 90, NO. lS


ton. The Deputy Marshals and Su-
pervisors were Federal Ku-Klux, or
ganized to intimidate freemen and
cheat them of their rights. What hap
pened in New York might occur else
where. No man would say that such
a statute should longer continue in
force. rl
MIR. Voorhees, implored the Ameri-
can people not to forget that their lib
critics are trampled under foot with
scorn and contempt.
He then proceeded TO another branch
of law on the subject OF popular cleo
tions. The President in certain cases
being authorized TO employ the land
and naval forces at the polls. Under
the vague pretext of keeping the
peace, by the President, as Comman-
der-in. Chief of the army and navy,
could give such orders as would tend
to crush the liberties of the country
after the manner OF Cesar, Napoleon
the Great and Napoleon the Less.
Like them, the President could send
out his emissaries TO stir up trouble in
the South and thus pretext found for
the employment OF the army in that
section. The President was the judge
of the numbers of troops he would en-
ploy, and under the present laws be
might order ships to New York and
New Orleans on election days to over
awe the people simply under the pre-
tence of keeping peace at the polls.
Mr.. Voorhees, next alluded to the
Civil Rights bill of 1869, under which
he said the President could use the
army anywhere under pretence OF en-
forcing its provisions, there being
placed under the power Of the Presi-
dent, range of subjects as extensive
as the rights Of man under free Con-
stitution. The vast scope of this law
placed absolute power in the hands OF
one man. There was not phase Of
human affairs in the States and Terri
tories that could not be interfered with
by the army. Mr.. Voorhees, read other
laws to show TO what base uses mill
tary force might be applied in CONTROL
ing elections. The veriest reptile Of
the party, United States Commis
sioner, could call upon the military and
naval force to support him in his pro
ceedings.
MIR. Voorhees, said the Senator from
Maine (Blaine) saw no reason fol
alarm in the provision which the pend
ing bill designed to repeal, but hi
would refer him to what Daniel Web
ster uttered. 1t was "If men woulC
enjoy the blessings of Republican Gov
ernment, they must govern by reasor
and mutual concession and with due
regard TO the general interest, and al
aoquiescence OF the minority, and tha
the military must be kept according Il
right and strict subsection to civil aIi
+ thority. Whereverthese principles d.
| not exist there can be no political free
: DOM" Mr.. Voorhees, said that it wa
satire on free government 10 So,
/. that suffrage should be exercised a
, the point Of the bayonet.
) He next alluded to the employment
| OF tho judiciary in connection wit
/. elections, and condemned 1t as poison
|, ing injustice at its source, In recapit
/ uIating his arguments, Mr.. Voorhee
! said the laws TO which he had referre
formed complete system to WITHDRAW
s all power from the people and State
a and TO central it in the executive dc
0 partment for revolutionary .movemen
= against the Constitution, and for a
( ultimate monarchy. In the Garlic
i, days of the Republic, there was a pal
/. ty in favor of q monarchy. The part
:, is larger now, aud there were laws !
Q force by which the scheme could b
/ put into actual operation. Would any
o one here say that the laws to whic
o he had alluded were required lest ou
o liberties should be destroyed2 Wel
y measures enacted fourteen years to }
). upheld for the government OF Souther
IS States? If so, then indeed had th
G North paid dearer price than u
preservation of the Union demandel
because for the loss Of liberty thel
q was no reparation. The conquest
+. the South at the expense of the cour
and free elections was dear price. Il
n denied that the South disregarded la'
4. On the contrary, they submitted
r every legal requirement. The peop
a Of that section had under adverse ci
2. cumstances vindicated themselves as
Is law abiding people. They had be-
re- slandered by sectional spirit. He hi
! pointed out laws to the repeal of whit
d his party stood pledged, and such 7
rs peal was important to the liberties
= Northern as well as Southern States.