Washington telegraph. [volume] (Washington, Ark.) 1839-1871, 1862-09-17

imagine that the President can look upon them
with other feelings than those Of horror and
alarm.
The resort, as if in scorn of common sense.
TO the declaration Of martial law for the whole
extent of wholly loyal States, il proving in my
opinion, the most fruitful source Of disatfecti0n.
Rcsorted to without necessity, in whole States,
even by brighter generals, it i q aspiration
Vt liberty, against which the pubic mind IN
-tinctively revolts. III inIicts the laws aud
even the Constitution a. worthless and impo-
tent, and impoachcs the civil magistrates as
Incompetent or corrupt. 1t makes, il Ar
an obscure person, snilcnly elevated IN be
Provost Marshal, the abiter Of mems fites, the
law-maker, the judge and cxccutiOler, il one
Men begin 10 ask THEMSELVES. if they dare
mt ask il of others even in z whisper, IN Z
the whisper should heard, whether political
freedom only to be thus obtained is worth
the sacrifice o manhood and independence at
once.
Io substitute an irrespon sible and unguard-
Ell military despotism in place Of tile Consti-
tuition. the laws and the courts Of Justice. is
like an unjust cause. 1t ''reconciles men to
desertion, sanctifies want Of zeal, and j. a pre-
text Tor cowardlce. 1t renders hardships more
irksome, dangers more obnoxious, and glory
less satisfactory to the mind of the soldier"
unnecessary and insoent substitution Of arm
ca violence for the peaceful sway or tie law
and the wholesome vigor of the civil tribunals
Is most evil symptom, indicating the viru-
lence Of the disease within. 1t cannot but
tend to make the people think their Cause l.
desperate, when such desperate remedies are
resorted to, ami received with unbounded ap-
probation.
But the sway Of martial law neyeris. for any
length Of time, ''Eisely adapted ID circum-
stances Ii remains; after all, only the alb
solute despotism of one man, with no other
rule or guide for his conduct tn an his own will.
NJ man can define what martial law l., or what
IT, boundaries are. No man ever attempts to
do it. When power, unbrilled aud uncon
trolled by Constitution, Bill of Rights, Law,
Usage "a Gust m, is placed in the hands OF one
single man. IL il too generally the case that he
Il found to mistake violence for enc ", and
prefer the display of petty power to the inter
ests of the common cause.
When the Portuguese Regency wished Lord
Wellington ~ take the punishment Of often
ders into his own hands, che informed them.
that although he advised the adoption of Sc
we're measures, he would not be made the des-
p1tic puni-hcr of the people, while the actual
laws were sufficient for the purpose
"A system Of terror has always been the re-
source of those leaders, who, being engaged
il great undertakings, were unable to recur
10 discipline. Enthusiasm stalked in front Of
their bands, but punishment brought up the
rear" And human nature must have become
something that II never has been heretofore,
ii life Of toll and danger, repeated defeats,
the depreciation Of money, the scarcity and
high price OF the most necessary supplies, the
weight of the burthen of each and all made ten
fol d heavier by the discomfort of the people
al the sudden birth Of whole brood of local
dcspotisms, abrdging all their civil and many
of their natural rights at once, do not soon
abate their desire to continue tho struggle,
and inactivity become the sign of subsection
a. citizen Of Arkansas, with everything |
have on earth at stake in this controversy, and
as the leader Of force of Indians a scaiTJd
in perspective in case of our failure, | protest
against these great wrongs. For the sake Of
the Country, Of the honest, trusting, patriotic,
suffering People, for the sake of Liberty. stran-
gled like LAGOON by military despor-ni. TOR
the sake of the dignity OF human nature itsoif,
beg the President ia the name Of thousands
upon thousands who dare not lift their voices
in condemnation or protest, not only 20 alnu
all these illegal aud arbitrary measures every
where, but to mark them with his signal is
appreciation Forit is most certain that hy-
and bye the people will regain their reason
will claim the protection Of the Constitution
and the magistrates sworn t. defend it, anu
will become alive 10 the great truth, which
now seems almost obsolete that the WAY M
Liberty does not ruG Nv th- roal WI ..4vary.
] ann, with tAe greatest Fs- ecj.
Ih- Presidents most uhrIicut Ser'vt.
ALBERr PIKE