Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-03

erty OF the people, the Constitution
carefully provides that even Congress
should make mo appropriation OF
money to that use ;ora longer term than
two years"
Toguard still more carefully
THE USE OF THE MILITARY POWER,
the Constitution declares that, while
Congress may "prOvide for organizing,
arming and disciplining the militia,
and the President shall be their Com
mander-in- Chief when called into the
service of the United States, the sap
pointment of officers and the authority
OF training the militia are reserved to
the States respectively. And still fur
ther 10 prevent the army from becOm-
ing part of the machinery OF govern
ment, or an instrument of civil admin
istration, or posse or police power-ln
a word, 10 cOntine il as nearly "A posi-
BILE to the single, simple duty OF lighting
the armed enemies of the country, the
Constitution gave Congress the power
"tO provide for calling out the militia TO
execute the laws OF the Union
These are the wise constitutional pro-
visions. Laws and habitudes made in
pursuance of their letter and spirit
governed the use of the army for more
than seventy years. The war came,
armies were raised and used, the people
became accustomed 10 the eXactiOns OF
the military power, the commanders
came 10 love it. In the border States
/ speak more confidently as to Ken.
tucky, because happen TO know about
1.-THE military power was used Tor
every purpose, without a shadow OF
authority OF law. The military COM
manders, hy special orders, defined the
qualification Of voters, defined the duties
OF Judges Of election, ordered them not
10 receive the votes OF certain classes
whom the Constitution and laws de-
clared were qualified to vote, and not TO
permit certain candidates to be
voted for whom the same Consti-
tuition declared 10 be eligible; and Sl nt
troops 10 tine polls 10 enforce the eXecu-
ton of these orders. Remember these
things were done at the State elections
ior State officers. We know full well
that on one occasion within four days OF
an election in a warm party contest the
commanding officer forbade the Demo-
cratic nominee TO be a candidate tor the
Judgeship OF the Court Ot Appeals, and
ordered the Judges Of Election not to
receive votes for him. Ii it be said
Kentucky was disturbed and many OF
her citizens were favorable to the rebel
lion, the answer is plain, that, If there
was peace enough 10 have an election at
all, there was peace enough 10 have a
free and legal election.
These events produced
THE LAW oF 1865.
IL prohibited many Of the wrongs COM
planned Of, and forbade the use OF the
army at elections except among other
things, Ito keep the peace at the polls.
No argument could induce the Republi-
cans 10 leave out those words. Under
that clause every evil has crept in.
Troops have been used as posse; troops
have been stationed for the purpose OF
intimidation over the country. They
were sent with Butler to New York;
they were kept handy for use in the
State-hOuSes Of South Carolina and
Louisiana; they were put at the beck
of every deputy marshal, and when
there was danger of Democratic Leg
islature they were sent % drag mem
bers from the legislative halls OF
New Orleans. At the extra session OF
Congress the Democrats sought To re-
peal this clause. 10 was demonstrated
bv history OF fourteen years that the
troops were never needed 10 keep peace
NJ the polls; that they were never called
on for that purpose; that the pretence
was used that troops in squads and
companies and regiments might be stu-
toned in the proper localities, subject
To the call of Deputy Marshals, TO OBJ
tain partisan advantage. 1t was the
same old story taught by all philosophy,
by all experience, by all the instincts
and impulses of human nature. The
Democrats sought to repeal the law;
they appealed 10 the Constitution, to
the
TRADITIONS or THE FATHERS,
% the philosophy OF our institutions, TO
the experience OF the world.
We were met with the assertion that
We desired 20 encourage tuIbulance ut
the polls, 10 strip the Administration OF
legitimate power The President adOp-
ted the suggestion, and vetoed the bill.
Mark the bill exactly, 1t left the
President the power To use the army
everywhere, at any election,
whether general or special; 10 repel
the armed enemies Of the country; to
suppress insurreCtiOn; To resist and
crush rebellion. 1t only prevented him
in time of peace and tranquility, from
taking bodies of troops To the polls
under the prctcnse Of preventing men
from ishtingOr CrOwding around the
ballot boxes. He might have all the
HuckS and herds on the royal de-
meSuyS, but his heart coveted this little
eve lamb of the people. imputc 10
the President no bad motive. | know
him too well 20 aSpersc his personal
character. I believe no more patriotic
men exist than our army. TO keep @hc
peace at the polls, even by TINS Presi-
dent and this army, That would be the
peace that the vol keeps among
the lambs That would be
the peace Edmund Burke describes,
You make il desert. and YOU call
that peace That would be the peace
which the armies of France kept when
tucpeOpIe waited for the Empire, That
would be the peace which Rome en-
loved when the candidates brought the
election To the Imperial throne from the
LcsiuuS, That would be the peace OF
all voting on the side OF the soldiers.
Tie presence OF such n power Is in
compatible with the freedom of eleC-
tious. IL will overpower strong peo-
pie: il will SeduCe 4 weak people; II will
mold a corrupt and debauchcd people
But i'm either event free election Is de-
strovcd. The power Of the army Is force.
Its life is absolute command and implic-
10 obedience Its weapons are sword
and muskct. Its methods are despotic.
In the atmosphere of its presence and
protection reason, judgment, free
choice. the very element OF election,
cannot breathe, refuse to live. No free
government has ever permitted troops
to be used at the polls. Every govern
ment which has tolerated their presence
there has ceased tO be free. No matter
under what preteNt; no matter for what
ayOwed or real purpose; the result has
been the same. Rome existed as Re-
public ior five hundred years, her ar
mics conquered the world; her Consular