Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-03-02

Special Correspondence Of tho Ledger.
WASHINGTON, d. G. February 26.-
Among the noticeable speeches in the
house last week was that Of Honorable
Benton McMillin, member from the
Fourth district in Tennessee. Mr..
McMillin, who is but thirty-fve years
Of age, served with credit in the Ten
nessee legislature, and in 1876 was
chosen %elector on the Tilden and
Hendricks ticket. He is not only
industrious in his habits, but one Of
the most vigilant members Tennessee
has ever had in congress. A good
lawyer, a man Of most excellent judg.
ment and sincere convictions, his term
In congress has been marked with
fidelity to duty and intelligent com
rrehension Of legislative obligations.
His opinions are valued by his fellow
members, a fact which speaks most for
this distinguished Tennesseean. Mr..
McMillins district, in which reside
many able and good men, would not
benefit its representation by selecting
another for the place as we'll filed by
this gentleman. Free from personal
or other rugs, andremoved beyondthe
temptations Of personal influence and
clique associations, his character
stands out grandly and in bold relief
to the specimens OF demagoguery
exhibited in the national capital. I
subjoin extracts from Mr.. McMillin's
speech upon the encroachments of
United States courts. This speech
was n Of the most eloquent in senti-
ment, graceful in composition and
logical in method that has ever been
made In congress. 1t is full of wise
reflections, and citations. and is
imbued with Esprit of patriotic fervor
and judlcious warning. The subject.
as Mr.. McMillin said, pertains to a
speedy aud impartial trial by a judicial
trlbuneral nea parties concerned.
and involves the respective rights
and powers of the general gov
eminent and of the states, and
hence the deares rights Of the
citizens. Mr.. McMillin in detail
treated the removal Of causes by
corporations from state to the federal.
courts, the unmerited advan tages
Their by giyea railroads aud in,ur.
ance; and "exempting revenue off
GERS from punishment by removal of.
criminal cases. He then de luctel
the consequences of such outrages
upon justice, showing that c%entraliza-
ton, seizure of the ballot-box and
other evils resulting. These. ton. to
say nothing of the large costs involved
IN the maintenance OF such an oppres.
slye system. In concluding his speech
Mr.. MeMillin said: Thus it will he
seen that a deputy marshal appointed
by a United States court is sent into
states to control elections there. He
is made the judge Of the'qualiications
OF voters and of their good or bad in.
tentions in voting. With no higher
process than the peliceman's club he
may arrest and carry away from the
ballot-box an American freeman
about to engage in the exercise of the
highest political privilege ever be.
slowed on man. Can these things be
and our Liberties last A.? Can they eon.
tlnue and we be other than slaves?
Unfortunately they cannot. They are
the handwriting upon the wall which
require neither a prophet nor the son
OF a prophet TO interpret, and which
tell us that our epublicaninstitutions
are In danger. Under what plea have
all these wrongs been perpetrated
What excuse is given for this subver-
sion OF the grand system devised and
bequeathed to us by the founders Of
the republic? 1t is the same plea
under which Napoleon | tore down
the republic and built up the empire
OF France. Its the same excuse giv-
en- by Napoleon Ill for destroyiDqthe
liberties ofhis people and placing upon
them monarchy. Ii is the same under
which ambitious men and tvrants
have worked from the downfall OF the
vast republic so the establishment Of
the last despotism-necessit for
strong government. What is the
necessity for a stronger government
than we have2 II is already. when
considered in all its bearings. the
most powerful upon which the sun
shines. 1t resisted successfully when
much weaker than it is 10. day. the
greatest shock to which any free poy-
eminent was ever subiectedElar
greater than can menace it now.
When our unfortunate civil war
came and scattered the states
Of the union, this mighty republic
was strong enough to gather them up.
replace them in their orbits. and move
on the brightest constellation in tbel
ornament Of nations. And all of this
without the post bellum legislation
which l have mentioned. This crv Of
necessity for strong government = Is
only a subtertngge. Ii is the cloak