The national Republican., 1861-04-22
For the National Republican.

The States, in the vehemence Of its ebuli.
tions sometimes seems to forget its place OF
residence and the side which it proposes to oc.
cupy in the present distracted situation Of the
country.
A few days since, commenting on the fact
that several Of the military companies Of the
District had been called out and we're mustered
into the service Of the Government, 1t said that
the individuals who had taken the oath admin.
istered 10 them, when they took it, supposed it
was mere matter Of form, and were cruelty dis.
appointed when they discovered that it was in.
tended to be binding on them, and that adhesion
to it would be expected and enforced. Surely
the writer of this paragraph must have thought
that he was located among the secessionists
instead OF this loyal community. Here, oaths
Of fidelity to the Constitution and laws are not
taken without deliberation, and solemn con.
viction of their obligatory character. They are
taken by men who know their import, and rec.
ognise the obligation which it imposes. 1t is
among the secessionsts alone that these oaths
to support the Government, to maintain the
constitutional authorities, 10 preserve the U Mon,
are considered but empty forms, ackuowledg.
ing no rights, recognising no obligations. 1t Is
they who practically and avowedly act upon the
doctrine Of Hudibras-
"He that imposes the oath breaks Il;
Not he that for convenience takes It."
Those who have abandoned their seats in the
Senate, in the House of Representatives; those
who like Twiggs and Beauregard and Cooper,
have deserted the army and navy those who are
members of the different Conventions, or have
accepted appointments under the reasonable
Government of the Confederate Ststes-these
are the men who look upon their oaths as merely
matters Of form, which may be disregarded at
their pleasure or caprice.
This same veracious organ Of rebellion, few
days since, declared that this Metropolis was
now actually under the rule Of martial law; that
our citizens we're not at liberty to hold converse
with each other in the public streets and ave-
nues. More recently, it has, to some extent,
retracted this cansrd, and nowis contented with
shortly to be placed. 1t adorns its columns
with long article which it represents as the
production of an eminent jurist. Is it forgotten
that the only instance in which, amid all this
turmoil, martial law has been proclaimed, is in
South Carolina, and by the authority Of the
Governor of that State? All the denunciations
of illegality usurpstion, and tyranny, uttered by
this learned member of the bar against the pro.
mulgators of martial law, would, if properly
directed, fall upon the head Of Governor Pick.
ems aud his coad tutors, instead Of President
Lincoln and his constitutional advisers.
Well may the secessionists quote at least q
part of the old Spanish proverb, "save me
from my friends" The learned advocate, who
really appears to know little on the subject Of
martial law, and really to have made " confu.
sion worse confounded' by his comments, might
have quoted the words Of Currsn in his last
effort in the case of Wolf Tone, and said, every
law authority is with me, while I stand upon
the sacred and immutable principles Of the Con
| stitution, that martial law and civil law are in
compatible" Itis, however, Governor Pickens
who, in Charleston, declared martial law, and
even indicated certain acts obnoxious to NO
Law, as incurring its penalties. The immutable
principles of the Constitution may have been
violated, every law authority disregarded, the
incompatibility mentioned may have been e.
tablished, but by whom2 By q secessionisi
Governor not by constitutional President.