The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-07

: fassd, and no warrants shall Issue, b4i apGa
'p'obaots cause, supported By oath or affirmation,
"and particularly describing the place to be
searched and the persons or things to be seized
So says the second article of the amendments
to the Federal Constitution. The prohibition is
couched in the most emphatic language, and is
only permitted TO be relaxed under peculiar cir
cumstances and on the scrupulous observance of
clearly defined conditions There must be "proh-
table cause to justify the search; there must be
a warrant issued, supported by oath or
'affrmation;" and the place TO be searched and
the persons or things to be seized, ''must be par
"ticularlS described"
We believe that it is absolutely essential at this
time, TO reproduce SO an important clause of
the Federal compact, that men may know to what
extent that instrument secures them their per-
sons, houses, papers and efects-against oihcla III
trusion and more than official insoence, and that
they may thus be rendered better capable OF judg-
ing how far this particular privilege, in these latter
| DAYS, has been nfringed, which the Con-
| stitution assures them shall not be yiozated.
'sTo be sure'-as Mr.. BURNETT remarked, on
Saturday last in the House of Representatives
| and the sarcasm derived additional keenuess and
effect from its selfevident truthfulness: ssTo be
| ttsure, the Constitution has become rather obso-
'lete; but gentlemen will pardon me if venture
occasionally to allude to that sacred, but unfor-
''tunate instrument" On similar grounds-that
OF desiring to refresh the memories of those who
may have forgotten this charter of our liberties
we also hope TO be forgiven for occasionally exhu-
| ming certain portions Of it, to the end that our
readers may the better comprehend the precious
legacy they are in danger of losing, and therefore
be prepared to demand its restoration, and to de-
nounce all attempts-no matter from what quar-
ter they may come-to pervert it from lis original
meaning, or to destroy it altogether.
For more than three months the people of this
State have been subjected 10 long series Of 'un.
reasonable searches and seizures" without war
rant without law, Or any of the forms of law;
without shadow of Justification. Houses have
been entered in the glare of noon-day and at III,
dead hour of the night; the privacy of bed room
has been recklessly and unscrupulously invaded
bureaus drawers, and closets, have been ran
sacked; beds, mattresses, and wearing apparel
have been searched; the sanctty of private CORES
pondence has been violated; arms owned by mem
bers of the family-bought with their own money
or the gifts of friends or relatives-have been de
liberatey stolen by the soldiers or s5irri of tn
Government at Washington--and this, too, il
open defiance of that other article of the Constitu
ton which declares that 'lhe right of the peopl
ITO keep and bear arms shall not be infrinqed.n
Under the Constitution and laws ssevery man,
''house is his CASTLE" and whatsoever dares t
enter 1t, by force of arms and without strict
legal authority, may be instantly elected. If
resist the act of expulsion, and loses his life in tn
struggle, on his own head lies the penalty,
may not be prudent or advisable for the owner {
the premises so entered, to resort 10 such an ex
tremlty IN vindication of his rights; but that h
may do SO, If the occasion be such as should CA
for it, no intelligent jurist will deny. The i'm
punity, therefore, with Which these outrages hav
been perpetrated in our midst, is due to the for
bearance of those who have been thus wronoed
and not to any color of authority with which tn
military or the police have been invested Their
ls, however, limit to these things; for patienc
ceases to be a virtue when insult is added to in
jury. When brutal ruffians, with whose name
the community is familiar, and whose crimes ar
recorded in the annals of cur Courts, are charge
with the execution of brutal and lawless DEGREES
"hen neither age nor seq, nor severe Illness. no
domestic sorrow, are safe from violence and indip
nity, what wonder if human nature should brea'
through The restraints which discretion won,
impose, and try conclusions with the oppressor ?