Year: 1864

here that he never enjoyed any public trust
Ior honor except by violence and fraud COM
bined. Three times has he come to this
House by the aid of the bludgeon and dag
ger Of the Plug Uglies; and he now occu
pies his place here by favor of the bayonets
of brutal tyrants. These are the honora-
BILE instances which he can point to as dis
playing the confidence of free and unter-
rifed constituency.


But, Mr. Speaker, commenced with
saying that it was ungracious in Massachu
setts to cast slur at Maryland for practic-
ing crime of which she was herself part
and parcel. True, Maryland should suffer
greater shame. for she had before her the
example and guidance of the noble pilgrims
who landed on the shores of St. Mary's
while degraded Massachusetts, sucked in
fanatcism and intolerance from the rock of
Plymouth. Sir, the man who will be gull
ty of the blasphemy of prosecuting and
prescribing his fellew- man for his religious
opinions, especially in this country where
the Constitution guarantees their free exer-
else, is unworthy of place on this footstool
of God 1t leads, necessarily, to resistance
and bloodshed, and he who inaugurates such
system knows it, and is wickedly and
basely willing to enjoy the emoluments and
honors of this world, if honors they can be
called, though stained by the blood Of his
+ Ffellow-man. All, sir, the very first blood
that was shed upon earth flowed from this
cause and, sir, brand as indelible as that
imprinted by God upon the brow of Cain
should be placed upon the brow of him who
proscribes brother because he worships the
living God with sacrifice which be thinks
acceptable.


Now, Mr.. Speaker, let us animadvert a
little further upon the elections in Maryland
and the violence which has attended them.
[ have myself been sufferer in that respect.
In 1861 l was candidate for Congress in
my district, but I was then defeated by the
calm, genteel, but effective tyrany of Gen
eral John A. Dix, renegade Democrat
and tyrant, A voice, "Hit him again -
tyrant with smooth exterior, little
worse, if possible, than those who look the
bull dog and the cur. The same general with
the bloodless sword effectually brought
III y
er by insolent violence, arresting candidates
for the Senate and driving the people from
the polls, because he knew that an unmo-
Tested free election would have given the
opponents of the Administration majority
in that body, and would thus have pre-
served the dignity, the rights, and interests
of Maryland from the complete overthrow
which they are now suffering The subju-
cation of Maryland may be traced to the
conduct of this infamous tyrant, for the
inevitable majority in her Senate would have
saved her the agony she is now enduring.


At the last election in which was can
didate there was another attempt to thwart
my success, but the people were too wise
this time. They had become acquainted
with the operations and movements of the
tyrants, and determined to flank them -
The Order No. So was issued by the COM
mander of the middle department for the
express purpose of affecting the result of
the last falls election il Maryland and, sir,
not only did [ contend with the military
tyrants, bit even a Cabinet minister so far
descended from the dignity of his position
as to 60 into Montgomery county-a eoun-
ty in my district--with the pledge that
there should be no military interference in
their election if the people. would only
agree not to have my name printed on the
ticket. Everything else should be free pro-
vided they were willing to make this sacri-
fee of one who undoubtedly had their con-
tidence. What was the motive of this in
reference | cannot imagine. except that he
hoped thereby to get an additional vote to
aid Frank. as the President SO afectionate-
ly calls him. in stepping into the chair you
SO effectively and impartially fill. Sufficient
it is for me to say that I am here to-day
somewhat proud that have by the aid OF
my glorious constituents been able to over
come all those enemies of my rights and
their rights. | beat the great commander
Of the middle department with his Order
No. So and all his military aids, laughter,
and have the satisfaction of being his
equal on this floor. | beat the Cabinet
minister in Montgomery county triumphant
ly, laughter, and [ am here to aid in send
ing orders to him; and beat my two oppo-
nents with all their ingenious management
and | am in the enjoyment of health and
spirits Notwithstanding your censure Re-
newed laughter.


Now, sir. come more particularly to the
election under consideration What have
said has some bearing upon it because OF
late there seems to be great sameness in
all elections. | have not read the report of
the committee. nor have [ looked over the
evidence accompanying it. My remarks will
be based upon what has been asserted and
conceded here It is not denied that there
was military interference to great extent
in this election. Not only was it actual,
but threatened and dreaded to so great de-
gree as to. keep great number, an indef-
mite number, Of the voters from the polls.
| contend under such circumstances, that
unless The claimant Of the seat can show hv