The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-28
From the Sc. Louis Republican,
MARTIAL LAW, AND ONE OF ITS LIZ

CONSEQ EN- CES.
In the year 1882, England possessed the Island
of Goree in Africa; they established military gar
risor therein, and entrusted its command to the
Governor of the Island, one Joseph Wall Du-
ring that year it became necessary to put the
army short allowance of food allowing the
stoppages belonging to the soldiers to accumu-
late in the hands Of the Paymaster, one Deer
ing. The soldiers hearing that the Paymaster
was about to leave the Island, called upon him
for their stoppages. On their way to the office
in passing the Governors house. the Governor
and Commandant Joseph Wall, "reprehended
some ot them Tor resortng to the person of the
Paymaster." They retired soon after; other sol
diers, among the number one Benjamin Armstrong
as they passed the Government house on their way
to demand their pay, were met by said Command
ant and sharply censured. They respectfully re-
tired. But soon after were called together and
SAID benjamin Armstrong was called from the
ranks, and at the hands of of the menials of
the regiment received eight hundred lasbes of
rope, by the direction of this Governor and Com
mandant.
The poor soldier able to walk away from the
place OF his hendisb punishment, and shortly after
died from the barbarity Of "martial law"
Exactly t'ceny gears after the preparation of this
hendish outrage, the halls of the old Bailey were
thrown open Tor the trial of this Governor and
Commandant, Joseph Wall, before Lord Chief Ba
ron Mach DUnald, for the murder of said BENJAMIN
Armstrong. The plea of said Wall set up that
Armstrong and others were in open mutiny. That
| he (said Wall) called ReJimemtal, and not a
dlers life, relying on what is called Martial Lac
| for justification.
Some witnesses testified that there was mutin-
Gus disposition manifested.
The Court charged the Jury: "That if tbera was
no mutiny, the prisoner was murderer: if there
was mutiny, they should then consider the ma.
ture and manner of the punishment; its depree:'
was the soldier dpprsed of his trial. had he an
opportunity OF justiying himself' 'also the extent
OF the punishment and the instrument of punish
ment.'".
In half an hour the jury returned into Court
their verdict, 'Murder." And the 28th of
January, 1902, the Governor and Commandant of
the island and garrison of Goree was executed,
and his body, pursuant to the order of Court duly
dissected and anatomzed
'Sic Semper TyranniS''
And thus was verified the definition of martial
law, "No law at ALL"
For hundred and fifty wears no Kinu of
Engl land has dared to call it up from its CORY
tomb. The same grave holds martial law and
witchcraft.
Whilst one letter of the Constitution of the
United States of the State of Missouri shall be
preserved from the iron heel of military despotsm
neither the Senate nor the House of Representa-
tlVes, nor the Governor, nor all combined of the
one, nor the Congress the Executive of the
other, can for one moment, in peace or in war; de-
clare "martial law !"
A reasonable acquaintance with the provisions of
the Constitution OF the United States, the object
and of its formation necessarily forces the
above conclusion,
The fourth article of its amendments satisfied
Judge w oodbury, whilst acting as Justice of the
supreme Court OF the United States in a case in
vo!Vlng this very question, that "martial law can
~. .; oe declared either by the Congress Execu-
'Fe OF the United States"
rh;oh %'' conclude this communication by question
W.. ssnlnk, worthy the consideration of any
Jgio. Jis. - even 'fogrante beho" martial may be
1 aec,aesd oy the United States, and as this would
ms,l CO lsas ue suspension of the Constitution
wen as laws thereof, how, unless by second rat-
ncalioh OF the states, could the deposed Constitu-
t'on ana Jaws passed In pursuance thereof, become
again "the supreme law of the land ?,'
FROM FoRT FIckENs-By the arrival of the
transport steamer Philadelphia we bavs odr-;u oue
from Pensacola to the 18th and Key West to the
10Th of May TIE blockade at Pensacola is effectna
All vessels with food and supplies for the Confda
rate forces under Gen. Bragg are cut off by sea
They were constructing railroad so as to evade
the blockade, which to have been completed
about the 18th. 1t is stated by one of the passen-
gers on the Philadelphia that of the Confede-
rate States officers was heard to say that General
Bragg would not be ready to attack Fort Pickens
until the 25th of June.-N Y, Herald, Nay 25th.