Year: 1879

~ - -tA' AANNt'NiN - "S JN'S


mcnt, the imperative duty of the
hour, instead Of turning the atten-
ton of the people back into history,
with its animosities, to direct it TO
the troubled business interests Of
the country, and the way to relieve
them, With the past buried, and
discussions on living issues, the
people would soon regain conf
dence, which is essential in any
plan for relieving the present hard
times. 1t may bo that such a course
would affect the fortunes of parties,
for both parties i'll congress on any
question of practical legislation fall
to pieces, but it would have the most
beneficial effect upon the fortunes
Of the country. Without intend
ing to reflect upon the patriotism of
either party, il does appear to me
that tile speeches on the pending
bill do not represent the wishes or
the opinions of the masses Of the
people of either section. Experience
has taught them that legitimate
business principles, which lead to
wealth and social happiness require
Il cessation from agitation ON past
subjects, and that sound policy die
tates the cultivation of peace and
good will between the sections. The
country, Mr.. President, cannot be
prosperous so long as the old CON
flict between the north and the
south is used at each recurring pres
idential election, rs an instrument
tality of party success, and the
statesman who shall rise equal to
the occasion and put it q rest will
receive the gratitude of u suffering
people.


The bill before us is for the sup
port of the army for the ensuing
| fiscal year. 1t is attacked because
the sixth section alters two pro
visions of the Revised Statutes. =
The sixth section of the appro-
priation bill proposes to strike from
both sections the words or to keep
the peace at the polls, and nothing
more, SO that the army cannot be
used hereafter for that purpose As
an abstrat proposition can there be
any objection to this? Ought the
army to be used at the polls when
there has been profound peace
for more than decade2 Does
anyone believe that such law
would ever have received the APP
proval of an American Congress if
it had been brought forward III II
time of peace? 1t was passed
when a formidable civil war was in
progress, taxing to the utmost the
resources of the country. In the
opinion of the patriots of that day
the state of feeling in certain parts
Of the country was of such a char
acter as to endanger peaceful cleo
tions while the war lasted unless
a military force was kept in readi-
ness for any outbreak of popular
commotion. This was the convic-
tion that prompted the legisla-
ture, but ! venture to say no one OF
the eminent men who voted for it
intended or expected that it would
remain a part Of the permanent law
of the land. They were too well
read in the lessons Of history and
the traditions of the Anglo-Saxon
race TO believe that a free people
would tolerate, except iii great
emergencies like war waged for
the mair tenance of the union, the
interference Of the military in civic
concerns. And they were men Of
principle and did not wish it to be
otherwise. 1t is no new thing III
time Of peace to repeal law passed
in time of war. Indeed, no wise
statesman will hesitate to dc il if
the law be unsuitable to the chang
ed condition Of things. II is a part
Of the very nature of every man Of
our race to rebel against anything
which interferes with the freedom
Of elections. and the days Of the
republic arc numbered if the people
ever consent TO place the ballot-box


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