, 1856-08-29

thri-l their chosen representative. make all const
tutious end lars and that where discrepancy may
cx., in either ailiua to meet real OF s,PpO
scd eliraordinary' and unforeseen contingencies,
THE rEorLE have right, tcmppr,lly, to d6Up'i the
rx,rci-c Of GIt,oo,dnaiG" authority, fr the sccn-
rity of life and property, and for redress
In his Martial Law proceedings, Coy. Stcvchs ha-
thrown himself upon the territory for an cNles,ion
Of condemnation acqirtal by the peopie, concern
ing his course, and he has been most mlhantly
sustained
We are unable to see the free Of tie argument Of
Mr. Bell in the discussion who observes that it
very high assumption of authority for governor on
that distant JOrder to proclaim Natal Law.
Perhaps tat Senator Is not that it i, oGiy be-
cause the people Of this distant border" availing
Themselves OF the invitation of Congress, through the
magnanimity(O of the Donation Act--prcsuming that
the government would bc just as well g'nerous(O
in protecting and defending them in the occupancy of
the soil which it voluntarily bequeaihed, and which it
contemplated to purchase from its original owners
and faing TO afford adequate protection that an all
solue necessity eemed to exist for the exercise Of
this "very high assumption Of authority
IT, instead of our inhabitants being driven to the al
ternatiyes either to fight their on Lattiss abandon
the Territory or be subjected 10 utter and feaaJL
termination the government had furnished its exposed
and q distant border" with Hy6ieirRcy of its paid
and trained regular force, to afford security to the
scattered and dclenceess settlements and villages of
its pioneer subjects here, our farmer and mechanic
volunteers might have been permitted to pursue their
usual avocations and the Executive would then have
,al tl..
tires Of ." Comnandern-C ChiGf Of Lhe Tolrmteer for
ces,' MUCH LESS the "rcry high assumption Of du-
thority" of declaring Martial Law, &c.
If, instead of giving ear and credence to the vile
abuse and ISLANDERS heaped upon the brave volunteers
and citizens Of both territories, by Cen Wool, the
government had supplied his place by an efficient Com
mander of the Pacific Military Department, with a
competency of soldiers at his command 1t would then
have given an earnest that it felt socitude and
uernal feeling for the trhie people this distant
border :" and it is only because government has
done those things it ought not to have done, and
left undone those things that il should have done
brcduse lpc are distant" and apparently so Hts
cared for by the legislative and federal authorities at
Washington, that it was deemed necessary by the
people to demand this very high assumption of au-
thorty,' and sustain lis ereditiOn If the declara-
ton of Martial Law, under any circumstances be an
usurpaton-a crime against the Constitution and the
Government, why is it more aggravated onense on
this distant border" than over a region in more
close proximity with the scat of government
thorty?
1t Is our honest opinion, whatever may he his alb
stract views to the legality Of Gov Stevens Martial
Law proceedings, that there is not in the Ter
ritory, worthy the name and not allied in feelings
with fend, who does not honestly and at heart le-
eye, that in his official capacityin everything con-
nected with the Indian war, Gov. Stevens has been
aetuated solely by convictions and purposes of duty
patriotism, unyielding perseverance, unconqueable
energy and unbending integrity and determination
That he has been imbued with, and has exhibited an
enthusiastic devotion for the furtherance Of the inter
ests of the people and the Territory in the vigorous
prosecution OF this Indian war-the innumerable per
pleXties that he has been compelled 10 meet and
mount-the labors he has performed for the last six
months. both by day and night bear ample testimony
Where is the that will pretend to say that it was
not from Of duty and q matter of stern neces
sty, supposed to be demdaded by the exigences of
the times that he was constrained to declare martial
law3 Is there a man in the Territory who honestly
believes he could have been actuated by personal feel
ings in doing? Ifhe has erred, in his proceedings
in the premises, prepared to show at another
time that his course was demanded by the public
as matter Of necessity; anil flrther-that issue
had been made up equivalent to this" Martial Ld,c
or an entire abandonment ofhe Pol,mteer Ssrries."
More on this subject hereafter,