Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-29
THE BAYONET IN POLITICS.
How Garfield Prevented its Use in tn
TiIden-HaYes Contest

How Garfield Prevented its Use in the
TiIden- Hayes Contest
At dinner party given during the past
week Senator-elect Blackburn, of Ken
tucky, says Washington letter to the
New York World, told the following inter-
esting story, which he says was told him
by Gen. Garfield, at social gathering at
which Alexander II. Stephens and other
prominent Democrats were present. The
stirring events of the closing DAYS Of the
session Of lS16-77 were the topics of CON
Yersation, and some of the party were
commenting on the narrow escape Of the
country from a bloody struggle. 1t was
agreed by all that if it had not been for
the great self-cOntrOl OF the members of
both parties, and the real patriotism Of
the Democrats, civil war would certain
ly have broken out. Gen. Garfield here
came in with a high compliment for the
Democrats. He said that perhaps none
Of them really knew how great the danger
was at that time. He added that he
thought he had been the means of break
ing up foolish programme which some
Republicans had actually arranged, and
which, If carried out, would certainly
have resulted in a bloody outbreak
Now" said Gen. Garfield, ''as we are
talking among ourselves as gentlemen,
'and not as politicians, l have no hesita-
tion in telling you what that programme
Was" Instantly there was the most pro-
found attention. Gen. Garfield continued,
after a moments pause, in which he
lighted fresh cigar, to say that there
was nearly apanic among the Republican
leaders during the days Immediately pre-
cedlng the passage of the Electoral Com
mission bill. 1t was believed bv some
that the flibusters would be able to defeat
the count and leave the country, on the
attn of March, without an Executive. Late
on the last dav of the debate Garfield was
summoned to an important conference of
tine Republican leaders. Garfield did not
say who were present, or where it was
held, but from what followed it was in
ferred that the President and his Cabinet.
ana the General of the Army were there
GARFIELD said he arrived very late. The
conference mad just concluded its work
Upon MS asking what subject had been
discussed and what conclusion reached.
ne was tOld tnat those present believed
the nllOusters IN the House had the power
TO defeat the count unless extraordinary
measures were employed. 1t had been
agreed, therefore, to march 600 men from
the arsenal at 8 O'Clock the next morning
to the capitol, and station them in the
basement of the House ready to be march,
ed up into the House lobby and upon the
floor itself if necessary, when the House
met. Inc nhDuSterS were then to be BOti-
fed by an order from the President that
persistent filibustering in the face of the
situation would be treated as an act of re-
bellion, and the objecting members would
be arrested and carried out.
Garfield said that he denounced this
programme and opposed it to the extent
OF his ability. He said such an act would
arouse the country to a pitch of madness,
and that blood would flow in the streets of
every city in the country. His objections
were not listened to until he said that if
this resolution was persisted in he sbonId
go to the telegraph office and denounce
the Whole thing to the counfrH