Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-06-16

Executions for Treason.
We are astonished at the stolidity which
characterises the American Public, in every
grade and station of society, in regard to the
unheardoi usurpations and outrages of the pres
ent Administrator. BY the side of this, every
other evidence of the decay of public virtue
of the utter extinction of the love of Justice in
the breasts of our citiZens-sinks into insignifi-
canoe. The feeling of Republicanism seems
entirely gone.
We shall, after few days, be called upon,
by custom, to celebrate the Declaration of our
National independence, but who that feels the
full extent of our terrific retrograde from the
principles of our national founders, can forbear
looking upon these festive rites, as any thing
but mockery. Throw aside all dispute in re-
gard to the justice of the war. Cast away
every point where party prejudice may be ex-
pected to warp the judgement, and yet there
remains SO many acts of our President which
"define tyrant" that We are only surprised
that his impeachment should not be called for
by acclimation. Away, say we with party in
such important crises as the present. Crises,
not of peril from foreign foes, but from the stabs
which our own government is infiicting on the
dead body of the Constitution.
Let any of our readers suppose that an invad-
ing force had now crossed from Canada, occu-
piedDetroit, and other points through the State;
established military government for the time
being, las was done in the last wary and should
Immediately commence Furnishing those who
should refuse to take the oath of allegiance or
who, after being forced to take it, as guilty of
treason to the Queen of Great Britain. Sup
pose this were the case; what execrations would
resound throughout our land, at such an horn j.
Bile departure from the principles of naiionalJus-
tice! There neuer, if rot now, was an age
of the world so dark, that this conduct would
not be re(robated and its author consigned to
everlasting infamy. Tyrants have often done
it, and the inherent love of national Justice, in
the breasts of posterity has never failed to damn
them for it. The Roman youth were taught
that to slay tyrant was meritorious act;-
right or wrong, the world has been taught so, s.
perhaps not nation ever existed whose hands
we're not imbrued in the blood of foreign, or
domestic tyrant. The escutcheon of Virginia
is slain tyrant PROSTATE beneath the feet of
the Goddess of Liberty, and the scroll ''Thus
always to tyrants.' Yet, strange to say, the
people, with the most stupid indifference see a
President, whom they have elected, an officer
whom, in the formation of their they
were careful TO limit to the lowest amount of
power consistent with the discharge of Execu-
tive duties;-and this particular President cleo
ted by the very party las it boasts) which was
most eager to limit his power, with tie most
stupid indifference, we say, the people see this
President, send armies into foreign country,
erect his governments, eppoint his officers, and
hang those who choose not TO have him rule
over them for treason. In the name of immor-
tai Justice we ask, treason to whom or what?
Treason to the President! The Presidents not
Government: he is merely the executive Off
Ger of the people. Treason to the Cons titution?
The inhabitants Of New Mexico never owed,
nor can they owe allegiance to our Constitu-
tion until by act of Congress, in some way
they have been incorporated in our Union. An
action for treason can only lie against citizen
of the United States. How have the inhabi-
tants of New Mexico who were by last year
| faithful and peaceabe citizens of Mexico be now
citizen Of this Union AMI amenabe for treason
when foreigners cannot legally be naturalized
until after a residence of FIVE years!
| If the people of those provinces are disposed
to be peaceabe under the rule of our comman-
ders and there arc few more patriotic than
the mass, who are FESTIVE. who needlessly de-
stroy the lives Of our men, or commit any act
which the martial code condemns, imp-ison or
punish them according to the laws of war.-
| But to try man fer treason because he resists
the invasion of his country! And this, too, by
nation which has embalmed the memory of
Emmett, who was executed as a traitor, for re-
sisting British authority where it had been long
before, and ever since acknowledged!
But the weight of this tyranny does not fall
on the poor Indian, ofthe Pac fic coast. In the
person of every wretch who has dangled from
gib5et for treason under the absolute reign of
the President, hangs representation of Amer
lean Liberty. For the President can punish
for treason, he must have the power to annex
and incorporate territory and people without an
act of Congress.
His assumption of the first is an assumption
of the second power. He may seize the reve-
nues of such countries for his own use, aye, he
has thus seized those of Mexico,-may levy ar
mics in such countries; he may surround the
white house with his legions. What may he
not do,
We say and distinctly, the President has as
su,ned and exercised power odious in the most
absolute and execrablc tyrant and never con-
templatcd as the prerogative of Republican
President. Yet the people seem thoughtless