The Lansing state Republican., 1862-10-29

from his erudite production little deeper
into this scrap Of history, it would have
appeared that il was a mere riot or mob.
over the repeal of the penal laws against
Caiholics-a question concerning a par
ticular measure under the Government
end had no relation whatever to the ques-
ticn Of the British Government or It's iu-
tegritv, or its fundamental laws; that
Lord Mansfield was one o, the victims Of
violence. and uttered what Was excellent
sense for the occasion. bat which, if it
had been proposed as an antidote for re-
belion with half million men in arms
ags inst Government. with the avowed in
ten,ion of subverting it, would have ap.
peared as cheap, and puerile, and shallow
and redantic then, as its suggestion for
the same purpose does now. Our Consti-
tuition and written laws are the emana-
tons of Government, prescribing rules
and regulations tor its ordinary admins
tration and guidance, and defining and
limiting its powers for the protection OF
its citizens But Governments make Con-
stitutions and iaws--Constit and
laws do not make Governments Cheers.
Constitutions and laws are to be observed
in al its civil polity and ordinary exigen-
cies, even in war but among the FIRST
rights and privileges. and highest and no.
llest duties and obligations of Government
is the preservation of its own existence.
Constitution, law. freedom Of speec lib
erty of the press. usurpation. tyranny, DC,
are words easily prated. and even parrots
Can be taught them. But men should
know that the instincts OF a Government,
as of An individual, when assaulted, are
seli-deience. The father and protector OF
4 dependent family. who should fail
employ all his energies, when assailed by
a murderer or bandit, and, instead there
OF, proceed to recite from a law book,
would, if slain, rank with suicides in the
sight OF God and man and chief mag
istrate who should fail to protect his Gov
eminent against foreign or domestic foes,
armed or unarmed-vhether avowed OF
silent--whether welding openly the i'm
piCiittttS Va utdlii, III iu>fOtOuSiJ oCbu0 rs
the advocate and al ologist Of rebellion
would himself be guilty of treason, and
would deserve impeachment, conviction
and execution. (Grea. applause.
ANY MEANS JUsTFIABLE TO PRESERVE Ma
TIoNAL LIFE-MARrrAL LAW.
Those who volunteer as opponents or
oracles Of Constitution and laws, should
at least understand the subject they are
discussing--should know that in times Of
pc eril to the nation, martial law inheres in
the very essence and existence of every
Government, AS great necessity, and
may be, an should be, asserted when re-,
quisite for the preservation of its life and
being. A war of rebellion is fearful and
alarming reality. and is neither to be run
away from no, quieted by reci,ing boar
ing school homilies. 1t demands, and
should receive. every element of power
that slumbers in the bosom Of the nation
When Lord Wellington. upon an exigen-
cy, proclaimed martial law, on being
asked what ii Was. replied that was the
discretion of the Commanding General.
tCheers Military law is the law for the
government of the military forces of ma
ton. Martial Law is more rigorous still.
wider in its application, and is defined by
Smith. an early and eminent writer, in his
" English Republic" and by others who
have compiled its best definition, as fol-
lows:
Martial law is the law of war, that de-
ponds on the just but arbitrary power Of
the King. For though he doth not make
any laws but by common consent in Par
liment yet. in time of war. BY reason OF
the necessity of it, to guard against dan.
gers that often arise. he useth abso-
lutte power, so that his word is law.
When in time Of extreme peril to the State,
either from actt)t0ut or arithin, the gene
raj safety cannot be trusted to the ordinary
administration, or the public welfare com
mands the adoption or execution of extra
ordinary measures, it may become ncces.
sary to declare the existence of martial
law"
The President has no such power as a
civil magistrate in the ordinary admins.
tration of the Government, hut, in a time
Of conspiracy. rebellion. and war, as Com,
mander-in- Chief, when in his judgment
the public safety demands it, be possesses
and may and should exert if necessary
as much power as the autocrat of all the
Russias, for the purpose of preserving
from destruction the Government con6ded
TO him. Great Cheeringl 1t is a powel
dangerous and liable to abuse-should al
waye be exercised With caution, and only
in times of danger; but in such a perioc
it is the Governments salvation and the
rock of defence. [Cheers.l
NORTHERN TREASON sYNPATHIzERs, TIT
| X. C. c., AND PAPERS OF THE "rREI
| PRESS" AND rEMocRArIc FARMER
STRIPE, GET A PICTURE TAKEN.
The course of the President in arrestins
spies and the apologi.ts of rebellion; in sup
crossing REASONABLE pressss-iu suspend
ing the habsas corpus, and in laying hi
hand upon the aiders and comforters ant
sbetters Of treason nd conspiracy. enti
ties him to the sdmlrstion and thanks O
every good citizen. Let assassins whe
their knives-let spies and traitors ant
pimps and intormers s.owl and gibber An,
whisper discomfort because the "freedon
Of speech" is abridged-let conspirac,