"the main pillar of liberty, namely, the right of the people to bear arms as secured by the Constitution"

   "In the case referred to by the gentleman from Maine, there was no organized government, but in Kansas provision was made by law for the election of a Delegate. Therefore the precedent did not apply. In the course of his remarks he alluded to the adoption of Mr. Sherman's amendment to the Army bill, saying that a majority of the House thus evinced their desire to strike down the main pillar of liberty, namely, the right of the people to bear arms as secured by the Constitution. When he saw such things, he almost despaired of anything being done in behalf of law and order--the Constitution being regarded as no longer binding."--Mr. Alexander Hamilton Stephens, of Georgia, July 31, 1856, U.S. House of Representatives. [New-York Daily Tribune, Aug. 01, 1856. Vol. XVI.......No. 4,769. Pg. 4]