, 1856-06-20
Pnhlic OpiniOn.

ance OF mankind, 10 whom 1t may concern,
we invite attention to two representations
contained in to-day's paper, addressed to
the delegates in Congress of Washington
and Oregon Territories, relative to the
arrest of certain persons in Pierce county
by the Executive and Commander-in- Chief
of the volunteer forces in the present Indi-
an war, [they being charged at the time
with high crimes and misdemeanors, repre-
hensible and punishable, were they guilty,
by trial before q military commissionl,
and the subsequent declaration of Martial
law over two counties in this Territory.
1t would be folly to elaborate upon the
positions taken by the declarations referred
to. They originated through pure motives,
and with q desire, as we believe, that the
truth of history might not be perverted.
Any person who is at all acquainted
with the present attitude of the existing
war, unless he be either knave or q fool,
knows full well that all our domestic
troubles in this war have arisen through
the gamo attempted to be played by Gen.
Wool, and other designing men of the red
tape factory, against the inhabitants Of both
Territories. In short, it is war Of Gen.
Wool and the Indians against the civil au-
thorities and inhabitants of this portion of
the Pacific coast. We have some facts in
connection with this matter which we de-
sign to give to the public at our own discre-
tion. 1t might be well to observe in this
connection, that the authorities and this
community have, and still continue to har-
Dor viperS amongst them. (albeit they do
it blindly), to sting the hand that warmed
them into life. Two of these inSiduous rep
tiles are now denizens at Fort Stelacoom
Others are known by their daily walk
and conversations, and the LsperOus 6aLh
will ere long be vomited forth, to the end
that oil good citizens may see and shun
them.
We are no npologist for the proclama-
ton of Martial law over the counties of
Pierce and Thurston. As far as Thurston
county is concerned, the people therein have
made their own declaration. See their
representations.
1t would be child's play in this place, or
at this time, to discuss legality We are
democrat all our tendencies and instincts
point to the people as the source of all law.
When no provision is made in constitutions
for the adjustment Of real or supposed
offences, il we understand the theory of
government Alright, tho people, then, are
sOrereign. They make laws, they punish
abuses, aud they administer justice. At
the time that the persons named in the rep
reservations were arrested, it was thought
by most persons in this county that the
Territory was on the verge of being driven,
with It's white population, unto entire ex-
termination. Their arrest was fariOSsly
called for, aud, indeed, ji56ets were talked
about as the only alternative to appease
the feelings Of those who assumed to be in
dread Of the workings Of the supposed
offenders. To quiet this state Of alarm,
and in order that all exigencies might be
met properly, with an eye to " even-hand-
ed justice, Gov. Stevens declared Martial
law over the county Of Pierce, for reasons
set forth, amongst others, those contained
n the representations" For like reasons,
Martial law was also proclaimed over
Thurston county.
We would now wish to submit few
questions We wish to inquire who, with
the exception Of those who were placed
under arrest, in Pierce county, have suffer
ed any Inconvenience by the enforcement
Of Martial law over that county, Who
in Thurston county, except an idle fe'c,
have ever complained Of the province Of
Martial law being proclaimed over this
countyH Look ut the record and see who
were not agrisved.
To the people of this vicinity, (and we
appeal to the good in all sections Of the
Territory who understand the facts), was
not the arrest Of the supposed offenders, as
charged in the representations" most en-
pAatieaLy demanded by almost the entire
population of Thurston countyH Were
they not at the time esteemed as being
guilty Of the charges for which they were
arraignedY Was not the Governor natg.
rally driren, from what he deemed "p1biie
necessity" to proclaim Martial law over the
aforesaid counties a