The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-11-06

theirs npol the rights of every citizen of
this land. is none the lsss attrocious. We
may ourself be arrested and imprisoned "a
others have been, whose only offence has
been too devoted attachment to the prin-
ciples Of liberty, and the preservation OF
those God given rights so clearly set forth
In the constitution of our country: but we
shall nevertheless, while We have liberty
to write; write for liberty"
Bat the question may arise What is
liberty? The language Of another. answers
Liberty consists in security against bad
Laws, and oppressive acts Tie next
question l.: What security have the
American people against such laws and
acts? The answer. and the only answer,
that can be given is--THE CONSTITUTION.
Take away that, and we have no security
left: without Iha, ear rulers are absolute;
IS much so as tie most absolute despots
of ihe Old World.
Blackstone Book l., page 1876, says
TO bertave man of llfe, or by violence
TO con!iseaie lis estate. without cusation
or trial. would be % gross and notorious an
set of de~petism, as must at once convey
the alarm Of tyrann5 throughout the whole
kingdom; but confinement of the person,
by secretly hurry ing him TO Jail. where his
suiierings are unknown or forgotten. is
less pubic, Il less stIiAins, aud THEREFORE,
4 MORE DANGEROUS FORM OF ARBITRARY
GOVERNMENT"
And vet these things have been done
are still being perpetrated in free repCbli-
can America. and h civil tribunals are
powerless to resist the cncroacbmeuts.-
There is 10 practice of arbitrary and
despotic governments, which has called
forth a greater degree OF Indignation. or a
more daring resistance, thaa such impris-
onmeEt of the citizens. We DO not cite
you 10 the la kneyed exainpe OF King John
aid the Bsrons of Runny Ii you
viii examine the first pages o. Theirs
French Revolution you will find even un-
der the despo;ic rule Of Louis XVI, the
Parliament of Paris holding lar uage like
this: After conccding certain rights to
the crown, the Parliament thus asserts the
rights Of citizens:
any manner to be delivered up to any
other than his natural Judges, which are
those appointed by law; and 9Th Mark
the words THAT RIGHT wlruonT WHICH
ALL OTHERS, ARE USELESS, Of every IN
Eiividusl, not 10 be arrested whatever the
order be. unless for the purpose OF being
committed without delay, to the custody
Of judges exercising competent jur;sdic
ton"
OHe military commander dressed in a
little brief authority, strikes down one
right-another, another right, dear 20 the
people, Until one alter another those rights
which constitute the very basis OF all liber
ty lave been overriidea. aad the very
veStiges OF freedom arr So covered up with !
the rubbish Of abso!u tism, and military !
dica,ion that they are well nigh hidden !
from The anxious sight OF the people,
With loyal yet sorrowful heart, we
still trust that the unwarranted va~ious
uponthe clearly defined constitutional rights
Of the people. may prove but passing |
cloud, to be followed soon by the sunshina |
of peace and pro periIy-the restoration
Of the Whole Union-aud the re-establish- |
meut on an immoyable basis Of the con-
stitution. and tie laws of our distracted |
We would not unnecessarily alarm the /
fears of our readers, but as Waterman
on the walls OF our political zion, We should
prove recreant to tie trust reposed in US,
if We should fail to apprise the people Of
danger = Eternal vigilance
is the price of liberty