New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-05-07
SEYMOUR ON i.UMSELLING.

Mr.. Thomas H. Seymour, while recently
q candidate for Governor of Connecticut,
was courteously requested, by large and
respectable body of his fellow citizens, to
favor them with his views of the Maine
Law. He refused to give them, and pre-
served a studied silence on the subject
throughout the canvass. Now that he is
elected, for the third and last time, with U.
S. Senatorship for five years ensuing all
but secured, he comes out in his Message
with bitter attack on that Law! Begin
ming with a studied depreciation of the
principle and practice of submitting Legis-
lative enactments to the People for ap-
prevail or rejection, he proceeds to say that
1.-THE late agitation of the public mind in regard to
great moral REFORM which has been proposed to ad
vance by the introduction into our code OF law of
great severity makes proper for me to consider 1t in
this place.
without presuming to question the motives of those
who would press it upon here, desire TO say that
regard entirely wrong in all its leading provisions
ut Is clearly enough q reversal Of those correct
principles which enter into the framework Of our laws,
wherebywhilst asserting what Is right and condemn
forded against anything like injustice oppression of
the citizen. nothing in this place of the danger to
be apprehended from the undue exercise of that vast
power in legislation which can make acts not guilty In
design or deed, criminal by single stroke OF legislative
authority.
al leave the question involved In such proposition
to the calm consideration of those Of you with whom
the laws originate. But what construction shall
be put upon law or the plan of law, which begins
with general prescription of class of citizens, uncon-
scious of having committed any deed worthy Of bonds
imprisonment and goes on to sweep away from around
them all those barriers against injustice which left
undisurbed in the case of proceedings against those
who stand charged with the highest of crimes.
without consuming your time by entering into any
Analysis OF an act OF such character ask you to con-
slider whether the draft of law which allows unreason-
able searches-which permits the seizure and desruc
ton OF property and in some without warrant
which arraigns person for alleged crime and from
the hrst moment OF his arrest throws obstacles In the
way OF his trial and efforts to obtain acquittal-and
which, without removing the brand of infany from his
shoulders st follows him to where the worst Of cul-
priis may co without let hndrance for an impartial
hearing and sets price the trial by jury-whether
such law 10 deserving Of place under the shield OF
admirable Bill Of Rights and beneath the ample pro-
lection Of Constitution which thus far has sheltered
the citizen without fostering the vices which are inner
snt to the social system"
The first point which strikes US in con-
templating this illumination is the position
of the utterer. Whether he be regarded
as witness or Judge, his attitude of obliga-
ton deprives his testimony or dictum of
all claim to influence or respect. For he
sits in the Governors Chair as the pur-
chased instrument of the Rum interests
attorney, its tool. By the money of Rum
sellers, poured out without stint, was his
election achieved. He was waited to his
present dishonorable elevation on the faint
ed breath of drunkards, and those who are
fast ripening for their condition and their
doom. He had other and worthier sup
porters, certainly; but Rum gave him his
majority, and he is but repaying an obliga-
ton in pettifogging its wretched case to the
extent of his limited capacity.
How does he set about the task! Here
is sore and threatening evil in the land,
which is daily filling our Aims Houses,
Prisons, Lunatic Asylums and graves with
its miserable victims. 1t is proved be-
yond controversy the chief immediate
cause Of all the giant evils which govern
ment is instituted to check if not eradicate.
Good men, in Connecticut as elsewhere.
are anxiously contemplating this master
vice, this source of misery, destitution and
crime, labOring and hoping to devise some