The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-03-04
THE BAYoNET.IN poLITrCs.
How Garfield Prevented Its Use I'm
the eTilden-HayeS Contest.


WASHINGTON, Feh-uary 70 "A, . din.
ner party given during the past week
Senator elect Blackburn, uf Kentucky,
told the following interesting story,
which lie says was told him by Gen.
Garfield, at social gathering at which
Alexander II. Stephens and other prom.
inent Democrats we're present. The
stirring events of the closing days of
the session OF 1851 were the topics
OF conversation, 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
heen for the great self-control of the
members OF both parties, and the real
patriotism nf the. Democrats, q civil war
| would certainly have broken out. Gen
Garfield here came in with q high COM
pliment Tor the Democrats. He said
that perhaps none Of them really knew
how great the danger was at that time
He adied that he thought be had been
the means OF breaking up foolish pro.
gramme. which some Republicans had
actually arranged, and which, II carried
ont. would certainly have resulted in a
bic cody outbreak Nov" said Gen.
Garfield, "as We are talking among our
selves as gentlemen. and not as poli,i
clans, I have no hesitation in telling you
what that programme was" Instantly
there was the most profound attention
Gen Garfield continued, after mo,
ment's pause, in which he lighted fresh
cigar, to say that there was nearly pam
ic among the Republican leaders during
tue days Immediately preceding the pas
sage of the Electoral Commission bill !
II was believed by some that the filihus-
ters would be able 70 defeat the count
and leave the eountry, on the 4th OF
March, without an Executive. Late on
the last day Of the debste Garfield was
summoned TO an important conference
.of the Republican leaders. Garfield did
not say who were present. or wheYe it
vas held, but from what followed II was
inferred tha, the President and his Cab
met. and the General OF the Army were
there. Garfield said he arrived very late.
The conference had just concluded its
work Upon his asking what subject
had been discussed and what conclusion
reached, he was told that those presen,
believed the filibusters in the House had
the power to defeat the count unless Cx-
t.aordinary measures we're employed u
It had been agreed, therefore, to march
800 men from the Arsenal at o'clock
the nezt morning to. the Capitol, and
station them is the basement Of the
House ready to he nsrehed up into the
House lobby and upon the floor itself If
necessary, when the Hnuse met. The
filibusters we're then to he notiied BY an
order from the Presiaent that persistent
liibustering in the face Of the situation
would be treated as an act OF rebellion,
and the objscting members would be ar
rested and carried out.
Garfield said that no denounced this
programme and opposed it TO the extent
of bis ability. He said such an act
would arouse the country to pitch of
madness, and that blood would q w 10
the streets of every city in the country
His objections we're not listened to until
be said that If this resolution was per-
sis'ed in be should go t. the telegraph
Office and denounee the whole thing 10
the country.