The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-05-10
A Strong and Wise Speech.
Judge Davis in the Army bill Debate.
Nothing Wrong in the Bill-The Cry Of Revo.
lutisn Ridiculous-The Ballot Bex Should be
Free from Military Interference.
From the Congressional Record, May 10.

Free from MILITARY AnLeEIoTehCc'
From the Congressional Record, May IS.
Mr. President the caucus Is an important
factor in American politics. and both the great
parties OF the country employ lis agency. inns
Is done on the theory that party action Is most
easily perfected by this method do not con-
plain of the mode adopted to reach results, but
as have been for many years viewing pubic
affairs from an Independent standpoint, 1t does
not help me to decide any question that may
come before the Senate. Although usually pre-
terring 20 give Il silent vote, ! cannot sniicr
this measure to be passed ON without saying
something on the subject.
The heat that has been manifested on the oc-
cason of this debate has surprised me, II any
thing can surprise me in politics. A stranger
unoccustomei to our modes of debate would
suppose that the Union was IN danger,and that
the old questions, passions, prcjudices, and
purposes which it bad been thought were laid
aside forever were again revived. Ana ms,
too, fourteen years after the rebellion was con
ouercd and when there Is no complaint from
anv Quarter that the Federal compact presses
too hard upon one section at the expense OF
another, and when the Federal Government IS
obeyed throughout the entire South.
There does not seem to be the least ground
for the excitement and bitterness that have
characterized the discussions in Congress mt
this session, and should be amazed were 1t
not that the records Of all parties prove that
majoritcs invariably commit legislative
wrongs, and minOritlcs invariably protest
against them Ii it be true, rs charged, that the
success of one Of the great parties OF the couh-
try means revolution and ruin to constitution
al liberty, of what value would he the Securi-
ties of the Government, or, indeed, any other
species of property? In the nature OF things
if revolution was pending, or there was any
danger apprchcnded to free government or
popular liberty, the Government would not be
able to sell bonds at 4 per cent. interest, nor
the stock market IN New York maintain It's
present high rate
This charge, Mr.. President, is mere fiction
and has no foundation to rest on, but II pro
duces infinite mischiciand tends to dcmorallzc
the country and every material interest IN IL
alarms the thoughtless and tmid, unseltlcs
business and values, and produces u state OF
unrest in every community. 1t may succeed
IN winning clectons but it cannot restore
prosperity That great object can never he ac-
complshed through continuance OF >ccUonaI
strife and the violence that accompanies 1t, nor
do believe the people are III mood lOr inns
kind of politics. They have had more than
five years of harsh experience, and they want
to find some mode of relief from their present
sutlcrngs and impoverished condition. And
they will honor the statesman who contributes
to the stock of knowledge on this subject, rath-
or than the political leader who Will not let
the past alone
| have no personal concern, Mr.. President,
in the rise and fall of parties, but am deeply
solicitous that the affairs Of Government shall
bc so administered that labor seeking employ
mcnt can obtain it, that all industrial pursuits
will be suitably rewarded, and that heart be
gwen to the people, North and South, to work
out of their present cmbarrassments. We are
one people, of the same blood and with the
same destiny, and unity of feeling is essential
to lift us out Of the mrc and 10 help us on the
road to prosperity.
The different par,s'of our common country
are so intimately connected in trade and com
mercc that, as Il general rule, whatever injuri-
ously affects one part has corresponding Ell
feet on the other, and whatever benefits the one
benefits the other.
1t is, Mr.. President, in my judgment, the
imperative duty of the hour, instead of turn
ing the attention Of the people back INTO his
tory with its animosties, to direct il to the
troubled business interests Of the country and
the way to relieve them.
With the past buried, and discussions on
living ISSUES, the people would soon regain
confidence, which is essential for any plan for
relieving the present hard times 1t may be
that such course would affect the fortunes of
parties-ior both parties in Congress on any
question Of practical legislation fall to pieces
but it would have the most beneficial effect up
on the fortunes of the country.
Without intending to reflect upon the palri-
oiism of either party, it does appear to me that
tl,nu inn do,
sent the wishes or opinions of the masses of the
people of either section Experience has
taught them that Legitimate business principles
which lead to wealth and social happiness re
qurc cessation from agitation on Dast sub
jccts and that sound policy dictates the cult
walton OF peace and good will between the sec
tons. The country, Mr. President, cannot be
prosperous SO long rs the old conflict between
the North and South Is used at each recurring
Presidential election as an instrumcntality Of
party success, and the statesman who shall rise
equal to the occasion, and put it at rest, will
receive the gratitude of u suffering people.
The bill before us is Tor the support Of the
army for the ensuing fiscal year. 1t is attacked
because the sixth section alters two provisions
OF the Revised Statutes. Section 1909 Of these
statutes reads rs follows:
No military or naval officer, or other person
engaged IN the civil, military, or naval service of
the United States, shall order, bring, keep or
have under his authority or control, any troops
or armed men at the place where any general or
special election is held in any State unless it be
necessary to rcpc the armed enemies of the Uni
ted States, or to keep the peace at the polls
And section 1898 is in these words
Every officer oi,thc army or navy, or other per
son IN the civil, military, or naval service of the
United states, who orders, brings, keeps, or has
under his authority or control, any troops or arm
ed men ut any place where a general or special
election is held in any State unless such force bc
necessary to rcpcl armed enemies Of the United
States, or to keep the peace at the polls, shall be
fined not more than 5000, and suffer imprison-
ment ut hard labor not less than three months
nor more than five years
These sections, though widely separated in
the Revised Statutes, are parts of general law
passed on the 18th of February. 1865, ito pre-.
vent officers OF the army ana navy and other
persons engaged in the service from ntcrier-
ing in elections in the States statutes at
Large, volume 10, page 43,
The first section denounced the use of troops
at al ,l !