Year: 1863

future can be Judged by the past with reference to the
Of power The of the civil law to the citizens
have been swept away by Executive power He referred
to arbitrary arrests saying they had produced feeling Of
indignation throughout the country.


Mr. DAVIS desired to know Whist party in the North
would create revoluhon-he Republican party or the
Democratic.


Mr. BIDDLE. 1t will be by an outraged people. He
then proceeded point out the uncOnsutionay OF the
details of the BILL and enumerated the illegal arrests here
toore made by military governors indicative OF what
might be expected in the future In this cOnnexOn ne
spoke of the arrest Of four printers at Harrisburg Penn
syvania, by Gen Wadsworth, Military Governor of the
District of Columbia and remarked that he should have
been very glad had the Executive OF Pennsyyana placed
Gen. Wadsworth under arrest As it was the men were
given up either at the demand request OF Gov Curtin
He spoke of the arrest of Boileau in Philadelphia
by orders of Gen Schenck who had his headquarters in
Baltimore These officers were not like officers OF the
regular army who had been estanged from potcs-they
were politicians with hearts full Of partisan heat Gen.
Wadsworh was defeated canddats for Governor Of New
York. and Gen. Schenck Ohio politician, looking
for preerment the great dispenser Of patronage IN
Washington Boileau arrested not because he OPP
posed the Government nor resisted the draft
aged ensments but because he did not speak yOraby of
tue President He compimented Gov. Curtin for his
protest against illegal arrests and concluded by giving mo-


ce of certain amendments to cuta the powers granted
to provost marshal The necessity for this he found in
the action of provost marshas heretofore, who many
had nterfered with the freedom OF elections


Mr. CAMPBELL replied to Mr.. BIDDLE's remarks.
He felt his duty to give this bill his hearty cooperation
No Senator had placed his vote against this bill The Gov
ernment had been surrounded by traitors and spies every
wherein the army well in every village. He
mended the President for the summary arrests of all
traitors and keeping them confined for time. No loyal
has complained of this act He would warn gentle
the other sle Of the House. while the handwriting
still the WALL to make their peace with liberty be-
fore it too late This country wi never be destroyed
by traitors There yet enough Of vitality in this coun
try to save it.


Mr.. WRIGHT desired the bill to be amended, and for
that purpose he desired its reference TO the Military Com
mttee He IN favor Of using all efforts to put down
the rebellion but the bill contained provisions to which ne
strongly objected He especially condemned the provision
vesting extraordinary powers In provost mRrshas.


Mr.. MCPHERSON said that under the bill provost
marshal could not make arrests for reasonable practices
He could only make report the subject to the Provost
Marshal General of Washington


Mr. WRIGHT said then the discretion of arrest was
with the Provost Marshal General. He would not sur
render his constitutional rights to one


Mr. SHEFFIELD defined what he conceived to be the
martial law In speaking of arbitrary arrests he said he
had doubt there had been arrests unwsey and
lawfully made but at the time there many who
have been arrested who ought TO have been arrested
There persons to-day the rebellion in arms against
the Government that ought to be in prisons He
favor of the bill he would be ashamed to return to
his constituents if he had failed in giving the Government
bis aid in suppressDg the rebellion. He would
sent to any peace that will imply or bring dshonor upon
the part Of the Government he never will consent to any
peace that will divide this country it bound together by
lgaments and social ties that it will be impossible to divide
it upon any basis which will permanent peace
The only way to obtain peace is by compelling those in
arms to submit.


Mr.. WRIGHT was opposed to the clause placing much
power in the hands of the provost marsha and therefore
he wanted the bill recommted for the purpose OF having
that CLAUSE stricken out He also opposed to that
tion which includes preachers he did not believe the time
had yet arrived when the preacher should lay aside his
gown and take the sword


Mr.. WHITE opposed the bill because it PROPOSE


on to the President of the United States with power
to place every citizen under his CONTROL and to be disposed
of as he may desire 1t works like madness the brain
He also opposed the bill because it opposed in letter.
nt.ut tn WA
placed in the hands Of the President which he WELD at
bis will He feared this par and parcel Of grand
scheme not to restore the Unon but for the purpose
bu dng up new Government based upon new ideas of
Territorial Union aud of consolidated power. This bill
possesses all these elements If the ingenuity of the devil
hmst had been taxed he cond not devised scheme
better calculated to destroy the happiness of the people and
distract the country has been illustrated in history for
the past eighteen months In his section Of Ohio he would
speak for other kidnapping and stealing at
end. The people will defend their rights. He wanted
liberty, but be wanted 1t regulated by law.


Mr. VALLANDIGHAM commended Mr.. OLIN upon
the manner n which he opened the debate on this bill
contrast with the remarks of Mr. CAMPBELL, which he
characterized offensive and calculated to engender bit
ternes and severity If the gentleman imagined that any
to be diverted by threats from expressing his OPT
bioDs giving his votes he utterly misunderstood the
spirit of those who sat his side of the chamber. hur
back Che sad the threat n defiance in his teeth Ispurn
it, spit upon it 1t is not an argument to be addressed
to equals here 1t is not argument but personal nsnua
ton against the loyalty of who sit here with at
tached to the union Of the States and who only
differ from the mode of preserving it, hope these de-
nunciations will be spared.


Mr.. CAMPBELL said 1t Is a significant fact that
the gentleman has applied my remarks to himself and his
colleague, Mr.. WHrrE) was denouncing traitors, and
will denounce them while have place this floor 1t
my duty and privilege If the gentleman gives my
marks personal character / cannot help it.


Mr. YALLANDIGHAM. yielded the floor as sup
posed to gentleman, and not to a backguard.
Mr.. CAMPBELL The momber himself is black
guard. Applause in the galleries.


Mr.. ROBINSON rose and demanded that the galleries
be cleared We bad been nsulted again and sgan by
my contractors and plundrrers OF the Government.
Mr.. cox hoped not There only small number
thus engaged Tho foolkillers take care Of them


Mr.. ROBINSON again asked.that all excepting the la
dies galleries be cleared


The SPEAKER requested gentlemen on the floor them.
selves to preserve order.


Mr.. VALLANDIGHAM hoped the galleries would re-
gard the proprieties Of this deberative assembly.
Mr.. VERkEE said the language was unbecomng
Mr.. .VALLAND1GHAM said that the language was ap
pcable to the gentemans colleague (Mr. CAMPBELL)
The SPEAKER reminded the galleries that this was a
deberatve body and that therefore appreciation dis
appreciation of what said this floor was clearly i'm
proper.


Mr.. VALLANDIGHAM resumed aud concluded his re
marks against the bill denouncng it infringement on
the Constitution and the rights Of the people, Instead OF
the President being too enent claimed by the gen
tleman, (Mr CAMPBELL the people had been too enent
If the Republicans cannot the Union by force OF arms
let them not by any other destroy the Union and
erect upon its ruins stupendous despotism.
| Mr.. CAMPBELL said he individualzed no member
He denounced traitors, and would still continue to do


Mr. BINGHAM Ia his response to that portion Of Mr..
VALASOGHAMs remarks referring to freedom Of speech
said Freedom Of speech is not that freedom Of speech
which consists in saying that the rebels and have the
right To invade the Northern States burn and destroy
their cities and towns Freedom Of speech is inboru