The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-06-02

never was an age or country where the rights
and liberties Of the people were placed on the
sole chance of their rulers being good men
without a consequent loss OF liberty"
My friend Mr.. McCoid, OF Iowa, said in this
debate that American troops at American
polls, to protect American citizens. have no
alarms for me-" And another gentleman,
think it was my friend from New Jersey (Mr
Robeson), said that american bayonets
think" However much IT may think, the
bayonet, whether carried by Christian or
Turk, Russian serf or American freeman,
oJeys. Did the bayonet obey less because it
thought. when the Republican soldier, Colonel
Sumner, dispersed the free State Legislature
in Kansas, or when De Trobriand dispersed
the Legislature OF louisiana, or when Ruger
prevented the Legislature OF South Carolina
from assembling? No, no, Mr.. Speaker, the
spirit of obedience, which is essential to any
discipline, makes the soldier, like his musket,
a mere instrument in the hands of whomso-
ever has supreme command.
Mr.. Speaker, as 1 sat listening for two days
to the speeches on the Republican side of the
House, and noticed the eagerness of one and
all TO vindieate the act of Congress which sane
lions the use of troops at the polls, 1 question
ed whether the love OF liberty is not decaying
In our midst. How can that sentiment exist,
and what is 1t worth, if we are willing to see
every safeguard OF liberty destroyed? The
dread of the use of troops at elections was
rooted in the hearts of our forefathers ere they
touched the sands OF jamestown or the rock of
Plymouth. Interference with elections was
one of the charges which cost Richard II.
his crown. An act to prohibit such executive
Interference was passed in the reign
of Edward 1. 800 years ago. In
l74I, at an election for a mem
Der of Parliament for the borough of West
minister, three magistrates of the city, appre-
hending a not, sent for a detachment OF SOL
diers and had them stationed near the polls
in st. PauTs church-yard, Covent Garden. 1t
was not claimed or pretended that the troops
were brought to or in sight of the polls, or
that their presence in the neighborhood had
the slightest effect on the elections; but Par
lament, then being in session, at once de-
clared the election void and further declared
THAT the presence OF a regular band of ed
soldiers at an election of members to serve in
Parliament is a high infringement of the lib.
critics of the subject, manifest violation of
the freedom OF elections, and an open defiance
of the Constitution and laws of the Kingdom"
The House also brought TO its bar the three
magistrates who sent for the troops and COM
PEELED them on their knees to beg pardon for
their offense against the majesty of British
law. In his lofty and eloquent rebuke of the
magistrates, the Speaker OF the House Of Com
N ons, Mr.. Arthur Onslow, said:
"TIts country is free 6ecouse this House IS so,
HLch this House can Rere' be Jtd from The freedoms
Of elections TO tn
At Cincinnati the Democratic party, in
becoming terms, will denounce third term
ism, the policy of having troops at the polls,
partisan Deputy Msrshals for nefsrious pur.
poses, and every other blighting curse that
the Republican party has formulated and
advocated since it has had existence. The
Democratic party will seek to strengthen the
bond of union, and the adoption of such
measures, and the enforcement OF such
policy as will perpetuate tie Republic with
all its sacred guarantees oftiberty.