Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-04-17

ern Democrats to deprive the riders of
their worst disloyal features, so that in
case she South continues to murder
the negroes on election day, that some
one may have authority to call upon
the army to protect them.
Hon. Chas. G.. Williams, of Will
Hams, of Wisconsin, in his eloquent
speech last week, expresses this SO
forcibly that [ cannot better please
Wisconsin people than by giving an
extract from his speech.
at seems to me, Mr.. Chairman, that
this whole matter resolves itself into
question, first Of jurisdiction, second,
of power and that under whatever ju-
risdiction elections be held, whether
State or National, two things are abso-
lutte and indispensable, purity at the
ballot-box, peace at the polls. 1t is
idle to talk about al election anywhere
unless these two things can be secured,
and whatever power may be necessary
to secure them should be executed or
representative government is failure.
If all the power of the Government is
required to secure them, then all the
power of the government should be
put forth. whether exerted through
the State or National administration.
However the power be applied the Or
der and climax of its application is
the same. If it be under the iuris-
dlctlon of the State, then, in the first
instance there stands the courts. back
of the courts the sheriff, back of the
sheriff the posse comitatus, and back
OF all the militia. IF it be exerted
through Federal Jurisdiction, then in
the same order there first stands the
courts, back of the courts the marshal,
back OF the marshal the Posse, and be-
yond all, as final and last resort, the
Federal troops. Wherever the power
be lodged, the essence and common
sense of the thing is the same. Phys
ical force in some form is necessary to
overcome resistance to civil law and
the physical enforcement of civil law
ends first at the policemans club, and
last at the bayonet.
There has been a good deal of talk
even on the part of Republicans about
"bayonet rule in this country which,
If may be allowed the expression, [
think borders on the nonsensical, if
not the absurd
Sir, know, and have read of no
government In history, or that exists
to-day which does not rely ultimately
for its preservation and authority on
co-erclye force as a last resort, and
whoever talks about a government
without this, in my judgment talks of
Utopia.
The one government on earth which
has come nearer to it than all others is
this self-Same government of ours, the
government of the United States, I
know of no bayonet rule here except
first to win independence and main
tain God-given rights, and second to
put down one of the most cruel and
causless rebellions that ever cursed the
earth, and lastly to present our South
ern friends from indulging in the de-
lectable pastime of shooting negroes
on sight.
x When in all history was
such leniency shown fallen foe be-
fore? and when was proffered mercy
treated with loftier contempt? Gen.
tlemen may say that the enforcement
OF the law rest upon the consent of
the governed. All, Sir, the consent
of the governed is that concent, where,
under free constitution and fair cleo
ton, not only the consent but the will
of the people becomes formulated and
chrystalized into public law: Where
not only the power to make laws is ex-
erted, but the duty to enforce them is
enjoined, and thus it is that obedience
to law, absolute and unquestioned
where it is the law becomes the found
alton stone of free government"
Every loyal citizen should read and
circulate copy of Mr.. Williams ad-
mirable speed.
X. x. x.