The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-18
GOVERNOR WISE AND TIL Il
NIUTSK ETS

The Bedford, Virginia Sentinel, speaking OF
Governor Wise sending the 5000 muskets to
Governor Lyon, says that it was an act which
calls for the seyerest reprobation.
ct is melancholy era" proceeds the Editor,
"and one well calculated to carry terror TO the
heart of every honest citizen and patriot when
the Chief Executive of an Independent Republic
departs from his legitimate authority, and openly
disregards the laws by which he lie bound. II is
an act Of despotism, tyrannica to the utmost ex-
tent, and the stepping stone to absolute and un-
| limited authority. If Governor Wise llas the
authority to loan the arms of Virginia to the Gov
enor of Maryland, why has he not the same right
and authority to lend him as many regiments OF
the militia of the Stats as he may request? II he
has the right and authority to order the arms OF
Virginia beyond her borders, why has he not the
right and authority to order her treasure beyond
| her limits alsof Were there any circumstances
Of an extraordinary character about to transpire
l in Maryland, which could ultimately threaten the
peace and safety of Virginia, that her Executive
might plead the law of necessity as his authority
Was Maryland threatened with civil war, or for
/ eign invasion! Nay, nay, the people were about
to express their sentiments at the balotbox, and
it was feared the issue would result unfavorably to
the Democracy. Virginia's arms were sent be
| yond her borders to intimidate free people in
the exercise Of the elective franchise, to be used
as the last appealing and convincing argument Of
despots, and to achieve victory in behalf of the
Democracy if needs be, at the point Of the bayo-
net! The arms Of Virginia, through the agency
Of her Executive, were to be prostituted to an
| ignobIe an unhallowed purpose--to the murder
Of feemen who in the exercise Of their undoubted
and inalienable rights, might choose to express
their opinions at tho ballotbox, in opposition to
the Democracy Of the State. Had Governor Wise
sent thirty thousand dollars of Virginias treasure
to aid In c0rrupting the voters of Maryland, his
sin would have beer less than his willing effort to
intinlidate her freemen in the discharge Of their
duties. 5g.ta ,.pE ns
"Will the Democratic party of Virginia appro'
bate this usuipation of their Goyernor--or, will
they condemn his unwarrantable procedure, and
permit him to be unimpeached before the Legisla
ture of the State Is there Democratic mem
Der Of tho Legislature, who possesses the manly
patriotism and the freedom from party shackles
to arraign before the proper tribunal the Chief
Executive of Virginia? Can the Democratic party
tolerate such interference on the part of Governor
Wise in the affairs Of sister State. If conduct
30 fagtious as this, Is to be lightly regarded and
60 uiIpanished, we may as well bury our Consti-
tuition in the waves of the sea, and sing the last
requiem over our departed liberties"
We look upon this act of Gov. Wise as one
of the most significant and ominous signs of
the times. If he could send three thousand
or ten thousand muskets to the Governor Of
Maryland to coerce the people Of that State,
why could he not send money also, aye, and a
body Of troops to use the arms thus loaned?
This act familiarizes the idea to the people
that arms may be used to control elections,
| and that one State, or its Executive, may call
upon other States to aid her with munitions
of war and troops, for the purpose Of subject
| ing the people Of that State to military power
Let this idea once prevail, or let such an ACT
as Govern Wise has been guilty Of, pass un
rebuke1 our liberties will be held by .
/ frail tenure PIP e.
We need scarcely ask what would have beer
said by the Democrats throughout the country
A aye, and by honest men of all parties, had thu
Governor of Rhode Island, during the DoRI
rebellion, called upon the Governor Of Massa
chusetts for munitions Of war, and had the lat
ter sent them to him as Governor Wise sem
arms to Governor Lyon. Would not their pa
pcrs have rung with denunciatiens, and then
public meetings Illuminated anathemas against
| such an act as an outrageous and unpardon-
able violation Of State-rightsa Who can doubt
itf And yet, in that case, there was actual
rebellion, and armed resistance TO the State
government and laws-here, there was notthc
| pretence of any thing of the kind. II
4 4. Il