Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-05-29
A Military Desp0tiSm.

The only pretext on which the politics
leaders Of the Southern people urged with
drawal from the Union was found in tn
apprehension" that the party now in powe
would not observe the Constitution in regar
TO the reserved rights Of the Slaveholdin
States. 1t is instructive to observe how pa
tiently these people, now that secession ha
run into military domination, are compelle,
to brook the most palpable violations Of al
the private and social rights secured by the
Constitution under which the Richmond Gov
ornment purports to hold Office.
The CONSUMPTION act recently passed by
the Con federate Congress, in compliance with
the recommendation of Gen. JEFF. Davis, is
Aagrant usurpation, accomplished in equal
contempt Of State lines and State rights.
bat so entirely has the spirit Of liberty de-
parted from the subjects Of this oppressive
rule that even those who openly acknowl-
edge the "unconstitutionaty" of such a
military CONSUMPTION are found tamely lend
ing themselves to its consummaton.
In his recent message to the Virginia Leg
islature. under date of May 9Th, Gov. Letch-
er boldsfhe following language:
"Since your adjournment the Confederate
Congress have passed CONSUMPTION bill
which relieves the General Assembly, in a
groat measure, from the necessity of further
legislation in regard to military matters. The
bill divests the State authorities of all con-
Al Il
in tho Confederate Government the power
to enroll all persons between the ages Of
eighteen and thirty-fve, organize them, COM
mission the officers, call them into service,
and dispose of them in such a manner as
they may deem advisable.
IN Is my deliberate opinion that The act is
unconditional, but taking into considera-
ton the peculiar condition of affairs existing
the question at present. When the war is |
ended We can discuss these questions, and SO
settle them as to preserve the rights of the
are indispensable to success now, and will |
as the Executive of tho State, protesting a.
Sainst it as an Infringement of State rights |
acquiesce in its passage, and respectfully and
earnestly urge upon our people, as | have
Spouse to its requirements"
It is thus that, in seducing the people of
tho South to take up arms against the dp-
pretended less of their constitutional privil-
eyes and State rights, these political leaders
have become the actual destroyers of both.
1t is gratifying to find that all the people
Of the South do not acquescc in the servile |
doctrine Of Gov Letcher who proposes to |
wink at the executive usurpations of Mr.
Davis for tho time being. postponing to a
time Of peace the recovering of liberties lost
in war. The Fayetteville IN. c. Observer
comments Oh the topic as follows:
This measure proposes to retain, by law,
all the twelve months volunteers now in the
service, between eighteen and thirty-fve)
in violation Of the solemn obligation, the
plighted faith of the State and the Confede-
rate States, that they should have right to
discharge at tho end Of their twelve months
Tho mere statement of such a proposition
brands it as-we are unwilling to use the
term. But what sort Of soldiers would men
make who arc thus treated? We say, be-
ware
1--WE would have said something on this
view-the political view-but it is so well
and SO forcibly said by an eminent states
man in letter Just at hand that we take the
liberty Of substituting his language instead
of our own. 1t occurs at the end of bust
ness letter as follows:
"I am grati6ed to see that the Observer
has independence enough to object to the
proposition to repudiate the paroles of our
released soldiers. But l regard the recent
message of the President, asking for the
power of CONSUMPTION, as in effect looking 7
to q military despotism, and | am greatly
surprised that the Richmond Wing, which
raised its voice against the pro-
,cription and favoritism of the AdmiEistra- L
ion, and the imbecility in Office which has 5
,een its Eatural result, should have yielded
Is acquieecence in the policy Give to the 7
resident standing army consisting of all
male citizens between the ages of eighteen g
nd tbirty-fve, with power to call int the IL
cid as many as he pleases, and when and =.
there he pieases, without saying to the u
Governor Of State by your leave and not II
nly is the Constitution subverted but per- i
NAL liberty is no more. The power to de- ia
are and enforce martial law and imprison De
items indefinitely, without the right of y. ~
,beas corpus to inquire into the cause of ar
,tsi,tion, is another wide step in the same tn
rsction. A panic prevails in the country, pi
ii those in authority have but to ask for VII
,wer on the ground OF military necessity on
d the oldest and most sacred safeguards of Xl'
.edom are yielded without question: n nn
I'VE must retain our selfpossesson, and r
r liberties too, in the progress of this war,
no will look in vain for them at its close 4"