The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-09-30
Letter Of Hon. G. T.. VaIlandtg-
ham to ~ Democratic Mass
Meeting ;at Carthage. Ohio.

WINDSOR G. w., Sept. H. 1868.
T. the President Of the Democratic NJ ass Nee -
ing at Carthage, Ohio
Since writing 10 the Mass Convention at
Dayton to-day. the monstrous proclamation
of the President has appeared, suspending
the privilege Of the writ o. habeos c0o pus, and
thus declaring martial law throughout tn
United States, in every one, and every part
OF every one OF them, and in all their terri
tories. 1t comes without previous warning.
1t is announced at time when the successes
of the Federal armies and the reverses of
the Confederates are greater than at any
period since the beginning Of the war; at a
time when the lines OF the former are more
extended and the latter more contra ctetl and
further removed from the original frontier
than ever before; and at time when, accord.
ing to the Secretary Of State, the rebellion
IS at last almost crushed out, 1t appears in
the midst OF no riot, tumult or other popular
cauvulsion anywhere in the States always
true to the Union, and no preparation Tor
any; and when even the odous "conscrp.
ton" is being executed quietly and without
resistance wherever announced. 1t is to
continue 'during the lebslion"-the Pres
ldent being the sole judge and arbiter Of
how long the rebellion shall be deemed to
last. At such time, and under such cir
cumstances, it can have but one object-the
pending elections this fall, but especially the
Presidential canvass Of 1864 1t is, indeed,
the full development OF that which have
so often warned the people of Ohio and of
the United States-ths great conspiracy
against constitutional liberty and free popu.
| lar government--the establishment of a
"formal and proclaimed despoiism" 10 your
midst. Oh, that the warning voice, feeble
though it was, which two years ago in the
beginning Of this great struggle, in accents
earnest as ever issued from the human lips,
cried aloud to the people that, one by one,
their liberties were about to perish, and that
anarchy first and Strong gov rnment alter
ward-no more State lines, no more State
governments but consolidated monarchy,
or vast centralized military despotism, must
all follow in the history Of the future, as in
the history Of the past they had centuries
before been written. But that voice found
I no echo then, save in ths columns and cor
rdors of the Capitol. To-day it is lifted up
again. And hereafter let no. man tell you
least Of all the sentinels upon your watch.
towers that there is DO danger, no ground
for alarm or apprehension. 10 day your
President is in form, as for two years and
more Ee has been in fact, a Military Dictator
\ The most ncredulous may see at last that
the issue is, indeed, whether there shall any
longer be Constitution and law in the Uni
ted States other than the will, unknown OF
expressed, Of the Presiden'; whether tree-
dom OF person, or the press, OF speech, free
political assemblages and free ballot shal
any more exist among us, and whether the
people shall hereafter, as heretofore, choose
the Legislatures and Chief Executives OF the
State and Federal Governments. Shall there
be free State elections any longer, or another
Presidential election Of any sort? Shall
popular government or a despotism, unlimi
ted by law and uncontrolled by Judicial
: Courts. henceforth prevail in the United
} States? This now, men Of Ohio, more than
ever, is the issue before you. The revolu
tionary purpose of the Administration tc
!, perpetuate, by intimidation or force, its pow
er in the States and IN the General Govern.
ment stands now fully revealed. Next
after this declaration OF martial law, wi
!, follow the armed seizure and occupation o
J your State by Federal tro ops, to intimidat,
or overpower you at the polls. But th
mOnSLfOuS puTpuSe VIII NV anu Gan Hot D'
! executed, except the people cringe or cove
J before the threat or the attempted exec ution
The time, therefore, has now arrived for the
renewed, solemn, inexorahle declaration and
: pledge, by the people to each other through
! the press and in public assemblages, tina
they mean to mainta their liberties at every
/ hazard, and to have and to hold free elec.
tions, peaceably If they can, forciaby i
they must. By the Constitution Of Ohio nc
soldier or marine of the United Statos car
gain a residence or become citizen aaC
elector Of the State by being stationed with'
10 her limits By the law of England, and
by o prosident statute OF Pennsylvania, al
I troops are required to be removed preserib
\ ed distance-not less than one mile--frou
the place OF holding an eIec ton; and this
too, Is the spirit at least Of our own laws.
4 Every qualified elsctor OF Ohio has the right
freely, aDG without molestatiohFof any kind
to vote the ticket OF his choice; and if Fed
eral or State troops be present to modest OF
intimdate- matter under what pretext---
. it is the right OF the citizens and the duty
OF the civil officers and Of the militia to dis
perse or arrest the offenders, and to use