Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1862-04-23
The Dasvnfag Light.

We begin to nope that the reign of terror
Is over. Tie National Government as be
ginning to find that it will not do to arrest
men, and incarcerate them in dungeons,
without due process Of law. disposition
is also manifested To abandon the strict cen
surship over a portion of the Press which
has been rigiily enforced since the com
fncnccneut Of the present war. The people
will soun again begin to feel, that there is
such thing as the ri ,ht of personal liberty
in this country, and that they are secure in
their houses and papers from unreasonable
begin to fearlessly exercise the sacred right
of free discussion. and Interchange views
with regard to the policy pursued by those
who administer the Government, with the
manly independence Of those who feel that
they are the rea; sovereigus of this country.
and that as such. they possess the right to
stand unabashed even in the presence of
princes. The editors of newspapers too are
beginning to feel that better day has dawn
ell and that the Press, the friend Of Liberty
and the scourge Of Tyrants, will once more
soon be free.
Among the papers which we're suspende.!
last year. and which have recently been per
nittei to resume publication, we notice the
New York Ffeemaa's Journal. its publ
cation was not only suspended. but McMas>
ters ifs editor, one Of the ablest journalists
IN the country, was arrested without lawful
process, and cast into one Of the dungeons
Of Fort Lafayette. No specific charge was
made sgainst him, he was not concronte,!
with lis accuSe-s, he was not grated trial
by Jury of his peers" but after anguish
Ing in prison for several months, he was dis
charged Is he had been arrested without 4
"why or wherefore" being assigned for the
act. This is but specimen. Scores Of
such arrests were made during the last year.
We do not allude 10 this subject merely
for the purpose Of finding fault with what
was done while fanaticism and wild excite
rnent, instead of enlightened patri tizrl, rule,l
the hour, but because it constitutes an item
in our History as a Nation, which should
cause the American people To hereafter
guard with jealous care the preservation ot
their constitutional rights. Macaulay tie
historian, in addressing himself to the Eng
ljsh people says: ''We have been taught
10y long experience, that We cannot, without
danger, suffer any breach of the constitution
TO pass Unnoticed. As we cannot, without
the risk cf evils from which tire imagination
recoils, employ physical force as a check t,
misgovernment. !: is evidently our wisdom
TO keep all the constitutional checks on mis-
government in the highest state of efficiency
10 watch with jealousy the first beginning o
sncroachment, and never to suffer irregular
tiles, even when harmless in themselves, t,
pass unchallenged, lest they acquire the
force of pTecedeuts." These words Of ad
monition, says Judge Thompson of thi.
State, are certainly as valuable in theil
teachings. when applied to our clearly def
ned written constitution as 70 those uud, f.
ned limitations on the monarchy of Great
Britain. II q jealous ard Yigilant watchful-
ness becomes British subject, TO preserve
the limitations Of power, does it become Us
10 be less watchful? Eternal vigilance Is
the price of Liberty. and free people there
fore cannot be too careful in guarding their
inslienable rights.