Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-08-03

can be no divisions in the future, and if
we are true to ourselves then we will be
as we are once more united. If it be
true that the Representative now on
trial has right to his seat, 1t is unman-
ly to punish, through him, his constitu.
ency because gentlemen on this floor
are governed bv recollections of the
past. The testimony as detailed and
the conclusions made by the ingenious
gentleman from Massachusetts, fail to
convince me that the gentleman from
Alabama has not a right to his seat. |
will say, Mr.. Speaker, if we are to re-
gard the lessons of philosophy teaching
by example, that the end of all revolu.
tions is the oppression of the minorities
There was Russian field marshal once
said ''order reigns in Warsaw and the
heroic people OF Poland, a nation which
had made its mark so strongly on the
face OF Europe, a people who resisted
and drove back the Turk, then carrying
his conquest into the heart of Europe,
strong liberty. loving people for their
natural right of liberty and law as de-
rived from their own nationality, were
compelled to submission, to despotc
power, to imprisonment, exile, and
death.
Hope for a season bade the earth farewell
And freedom shriekcd when KosciuskU Tell.
Order reigned in Warsaw there was
no minority there.
Here the hammer fell.
Mr.. Thompson, Of Iowa, resumed the
floor.
Mr.. Curtin. / would like five min.
utes more only five minutes.
Mr.. Thompson, of Iowa. | have no
time to spare.
Mr.. Curtin. You were born in Penn.
sylvania and must be a generous man.
Just give me five minutes. Laughter.
Mr.. Calkins. The time OF the gentle.
man from Iowa has all been given out.
| will yield five minutes of my time to
the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr..
Curtin
Mr.. Curtin. ! thank the gentleman.
Now have only five minutes to speak
of minorities.
In the French revolution, after the
king had lost his head and legitimate
government was destroyed, there re.
NAMED in the Council OF Five Hundred
an intelligent and conservative mnori.
ty which gave ofiense and trouble to
the progressive revolutionists Of that
country. One day when the council
was in session and the minority asserted
and contended for their rights, the
bloody handed leader of the revolution
uttered the declaration, purge the
I 4. l.. - 4 I.l. /
ed fowl" In one hour there was no
minority in that body. This is dispo
sition Of a minority not likely to occur
in this country, certainly not in this
House, but who can tell what may oc.
cur in the future and should we not
protect posterity by the wisdom of our
Government from all such scenes rs oc.
Cured in Paris, where, under a sem.
blance of representative form of gov.
eminent, the streets of Paris ran with
human blood and government was
moved from its legitimate and proper
functions? For fifteen years civilization
rocked and reeled under the heavings
Of that wonderful revolution and mil
lions Of people went down to death.
Commerce barely lived, civilization was
brought TO pause, millions denied God
and set up for worship the Goddess OF
Reason.
Mr.. Speaker, | do not say this is to
occur in this country do not expect
it but it is proper and right to say be.
fore | close that the minority has rights
guaranteed by the Constitution and laws
Of this country which cannot he denied
without disregarding the great iunda.
mental principles of this Government,
under which we enjoy so many bles-
sings. And if it should occur that a
body of men in the future should con-
ceive to conspire revolution, to strike
down our form of government As to take
from the Representatives on this side of
the aisle the benefits and blessings &C.
corded them by the Constitution OF the
United States and the rules of debate OF
this House, this is the place for such
body of men and this the highway to
the consummation which we can only
contemplate with feelings of sorrow and
humiliation. Applause.