The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-03-06
The Bayonet in Politics.

WASHINGTON, February 24.-At q
dinner party given during the past week
Senator elect Blackburn, of Kentucky,
told the following interesting story, which
he says was told him by General Garfield,
at social gathering at which Alexander
H. Stephens and other prominent Demo
Gratis were present. The stirring events
of the closing days of the session of
1S76-77 were the topics of conversation,
and some of the party were commenting
on the narrow escape of the country from
q 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 lhe Democrats,
civil war would certainly 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 be thought he had
been the means of breaking up foolish
programme which some Republican had
actually arranged, and which, if carried
out, would certainly have resulted in a
bloody outbreak.
"Now," said General Garfield, "as we
are talking among ourselves as gentle
men, and not as politicians, have no
hesitation in telling you what that pro-
gramme was" Instantly there was the
most profound attention. General Gar.
field continued, after moments pause,
in which he lighted a fresh cigar, to say
that there was nearly panic among the
Republican leaders during the days i'm
mediately preceding the passage of the
Electoral Commission bill. 1t was be-
lieved by some that the filibusters would
be able to defeat the count and leave the
country, on the 4th of March, without
an Executive. Late on the last day of
the debate Garfield was summoned to an
important conference of the Republican
leaders. Garfield did not say who were
present, or where it was held, but from
what followed it was inferred that the
President and his Cabinet and the Gen.
eral of the Army were there. Garfield
said he arrived very late. The confer
ence had met and just concluded its
work. Upon his asking what subject
had been discussed and what conclusion
reached, he was told that those present
believed the flibustering 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 marched up into the
House lobby and upon the floor itself if
necessary, when the House met. The
nlibusters were to be notified by an order
from the President that persistent flibus.
tering in the face of the situation would
be treated as an act of rebellion, 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 pitch of madness,
and that blood would flow in the streets
Of every city in the country. His objec-
tions were not listened to until he said
that if this resolution was persisted in he
should 60 to the telegraph office and de-
nounce the whole thing to The country.