Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-09-09
Democratic state Conventlon.

Tomorrow the Democratic State conven.
ton meets at Springfield.
Besides the nomination of candidates for
the ensuing November election, subjects of
the gravest moment will come before the
convention for consideration.
The nation writhes under the throcs OF
widespread civil war. Our country which
was so recently recognized the wide world
over as the home Of the oppressed and the
land of the free, is now the scene of terri
be intern ecine strife and the blood Of our
people stains hundred battle fields. The
conflict is now more dreadful than ever,
and the blood-stsined banner or rebellion
is waved defantly in sight of our Ma
tional Capital
In this State, where the Courts are loyal,
where the United States Judges and officers
are lnyal and efficient, where the people
have responded with unequalled alacrity to
the demands Of the government for troops,
citizens. merely upon suspicion of a want
Of loyalty, haze been arrested and hurried
of to prison or to some distant fortress or
court for trial. Within the past few DAYS
we have heard reports Of the arrest Of
scores Of Illinoiaus, prominent Democrats,
OF course. who have been dragged from
their homes, upon the charge Of some cow
ardly stay-at-home Abalitiouiss. Among
those who have been thus torn from their
families and homes, without the CONSTITUTE
onal privilege Of meeting their accusers and
receiving fair trial before the legitimate
courts of our commonwealth, we find the
name of the Hon. w. ]. Allen, Congress-
man of the Ninth District-whom We be.
lieve is.as true Union man az breathes,
and others Of our prominent and valuable
citizens.
Ifthese men are guilty-if they have
committed an cffense punishable by our con.
stiiution and laws we say let them receive
the punishment due crime, but at the sam.
time We are 10 favor of having things done
according to our boasted privileges ard
constitutional rights.
! The national constitution declares tina
"In all criminal prosecutions the accused
shall enjoy the rights of speedy and publ
trial. by an impartial jury Of the State ant
district wherein the crime shall have beer
committed which district snail have be-
previously ascerta;ned by law, and to b
informed Of the nature and cause of tn,
; accusation against him to have compul
satOry process for obtaining witnesses il
his favor; and to have the assistance .
F. counsel for his Defense" All these right
-, Is guarantee the accused not only by tn
national constitution but by our own Sta t.
constitution, yet it appears that our militia
&; ry authorities have assumed the preroga
! tive of arresting citizens at their will, espeC
cially If they DE prominent Democrats, an
f. combining them in dungeons or transportip
b them to courts in distant States for tri
a..
We believe this seizure of citizens, with
out proof of guilt or authority of law, by tn
powers that be is an exercise of unwarrar
= table power. We would not screen traitor
from just punishment, but We do insist thu
the accused be tried, and if found guilty
!, punished according to Law.
Therefore, We do hope that the State, cor
vention, while it passes strong resolves 70
maintaining the Union and constitution q
D oil hazards, and sustaining the Presiden
e In the use of the entire power of the Gov
, eminent given by the constitution, in sup
pressing the rebellion, will give an expires
q sion Of its disapproval Of the recent unlav
full and apparently malignant politician ar
rests of our citizens, contrary TO the spiri
, of our institutions and in violation Of boti
our State and national constitutions.