Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1879 — THE BAYONET PARTY. [ARTICLE]

THE BAYONET PARTY.

The Record of the Radical Revolutionists on the Use of the Army. [From the Louisville Courier-Journal.] When the Republicans first began to unfold their opposition to the repeal of the section of the Revised Statutes authorizing the use of the army at the polls to manipulate elections in the interest of the dominant party, they based their objection on the method of repealing the obnoxious law, which was that of attaching the repealing clause to the Army Appropriation bill. They were speedily dismounted from this position upon the fact being proven that during the thirteen years in which they controlled legislation in the House they legislated and repealed previous legislation by the rider method not less than 388 times. Finding themselves adrift, they then boldly took the ground that the bayonet law was a righteous enactment in itself, and that the Federal army was absolutely necessary to “keep the peace at the polls;” that the State authorities had nothing to do with this process, and that the Federal Government, being supreme over all the States, and, in fact, absolute iqjts authority, the bayonet, being the symbol of its power, must always be an auxiliary to elections. During the debate- the Republican Senators and Representatives, ignoring history, frequently stated that nobody had ever been interfered with at elections; that no soldier had ever been seen at the polls, and that the Democrats were “making a fuss about nothing.” Of course Senator Beck and other Democrats very speedily showed the mendacity of the Republican asseverations, as the history of this country’ is very well written in the public records and in the minds of the people. The States of Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania are among the Northern States which have been so invaded by Federal troops after the war was over, and when there was no reason why the troops should appear, except the very palpable one that it was a “party necessity” of the Republican administration. It is “party necessity” whiuh makes the Republican leaders so earnestly desirous of retaining that bayonet law on the statute book to-day, and only “party necessity.” What that party has done it will do again to obstruct the liberties of the people, and as long as that law stands to, be executed under the transparent pretense of “keeping peace at the polls,” so long will it be utilized for party purposes if the Republicans retain control of the Government.

Few people have forgotten the use of Federal troops at New York in 1870. Secretary of War Belknap, after discussing the matter with Grant and the Republican leaders, issued orders for troops to invade New York city “in view of the apprehension that there may be opposition to the United States laws in connection with the coming election in the city of New York, Nov. 8, 1870.” That is, without any call for troops from the Governor of the State, the troops must go to New York because there may possibly be some opposition to the United States laws. The real purpose, under this language, can easily be read. The troops—all the available men at Willet’s point, New York harbor, all the available men and artillery at Forts Hamilton, Wadsworth and Wood—were ordered to “hold themselves in readiness for service at literally a moment’s notice,” at their stations near the polls where American citizens were to exercise the right of suffrage, while several ships of war were anchored near the city. This great military demonstration in a time of profound peace was protested against by Gov. Hoffman, but was fully in accord with the principles of the Republican bulldozers. Mr. Blaine, who has laughed at the idea of any Federal taoops ever being so employed, is strangely oblivious of the facts of history. The New York Tribune itself, which has taken the ground that the bayonet law is a sacred one, described the military bulldozing at the polls in November, 1870, thus: The troops came on Monday night and disembarked silently to their quarters. During the day perfect order reigned. The headquarters of the departments, at the corner of Houston and Greene streets, presented a quiet appearance. The stairways, however, leading to the two upper stories of the building were packed with troops. The Engineer Department from Willet’spoint, numbering 200 men, with companies H and I, of the Fifth United States Artillery, from Fort Trumbull, New London, Ct., all under command of Coh Kiddoe. were quartered in the halls and on the stairs. Their arms were stacked and the men were scattered around on benches and on the floor, or stood in groups engaged in conversation. All were armed with the latest improved needle-gun and furnished with forty rounds of ammunition, with 100 rounds a man in reserve. At pier No. 28, North river, Companies A, B and L of the United States Artillery, from Fort Adams, Newport, were quartered on the steamer Miles. In addition to these was Dupont’s light battery of four guns. None were allowed to leave the boat or to enter without a pass. The men were in the lower part of the boat and the officers were in the cabin under Coh Hunt Companies B, 0, D, H and M of the First United States Artillery, Coh Vogdes, from I’orts Hamilton and Wadsworth, New York harbor, were stationed in the three upper stories of No. 294 Broadway. At No. 161 Avenue B, near Tompkins square, there were stationed the first five companies of the Eighth Infantry, CoL Bomford in command. This regiment came from David’s island, and was armed with the needle-gun. They were quartered in the hall over a lagerbeer saloon, and Company A was kept under arms ready for marching orders. The remaining five companies of the regiment were on Forty-fifth street, between First and Second avenue, in the large room of a brewery. Guards were, as in all cases, stationed at the top and bottom of the stairs, and all who applied for entrance were taken under guard before Col. Edie. Long rows of stacked arms extended the whole length of the halt An ample supply of ammunition was brought to the place, amounting in the aggregate to 140 rounds for each man. In the river and harbor the.frigatesGuerriere andNaragansett were at anchor at the foot of Chambers street. North river, and Wall street, Fast river, respectively. The port-holes were all closed, however, and every appearance of warlike preparation on board was avoided. None other thau the troops regularly stationed there were on Governor’s island.’’ All this was done, be it remembered, without the request of Gov. Hoffman for troops, as required by the constitution. As long as that bayonet law stands on the books Republican administrations, under the pretense of “keeping the peace,” will execute it, as in 1870, whenever “party necessity ” suggests it It is an infamy in the shape of legislation which makes our boasted liberty a mockery. It is a sword which will be brought out in the future, as it has been in tbe past, to intimidate voters from the polls, or, perhaps, to dose the polls

altogether if it remains a law. As long as it so remains scenes like that in New York in 1870 are possible.