Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-14
raR yALLANpIeHAN AFFAIR.

We nnd in the World, copied from the Cincinnati
Commercial, report of the trial of Mr. Valandigham
before the court martial At the close of the e1amna-
ton, Mr " submitted the following protest:
Arrested without process of law, without warrant
from any judicial officer and in military custody,
have been served with charge and specifications
from court martial or military commission. ! am not
either in the land the naval service Of the United
States, and therefore not tryable for any by
such court but subject by the express terms of the
Constitution TO arrest only by due process Of law
warrant issued by officer Of court of competent
jurisdiction for trial Of citizens subject to indct
ment and trial presentment of grand jury, and
entitled to a speedy trial, to be confronted with wit
and to compulsory process for witnesses in my
behalf and am entitled TO counsel All these demand
as my right a. a citizen of the United States under the
Constitution of the United States But the alleged Of
Tense itself is not known 10 the Constitution any
law thereof 1t is words spoken to the people Of Ohio
in open public political meeting, lawfully and peace
fully assembled under the Constitution and after due
notice.
It's the words Of citizen, of the public policy, OF
the public servants of the people, by which policy it
was alleged that the welfare of the country not pro-
NOTED. 1t wasan appeal to the people to change that
policy not by force but by the elections and the ballot
box 1t is not pretended that counseed dsObedience
to the Constitution resistance to law lawful author
itv. have never done this.
have nothing further to submit.
(Sgned) c. l.. VALLANDIGHAN.
The judge advocate simply remarked that the accused
had the privilege of counsel and Of Witnesses 1t did
not become him to enter into any discussion to the
jurisdiction of the court. That the case had been
farred to it sufficient
The World, in an editorial on the subject, says:
The proceedings against Mr.. Valsndigham will give
advantage 10 the peace Of whom he is the recog
nized leader Muttudes who disapprove of the peace
movement but prize free discussion will defantly resist
this hiphhanded infringement Of the freedom Of speech
and thus be brought into the habit of acting with the
friends of Mr.. Valandigham A man who as the pre-
mature and indscreet advocate Of peace, looked
upon with dislike by majority Of the northern people,
is lifted into high place their estimation when the
administration makes him martyr Of liberty by stab
bling at it through his body. If proceeds to e1trem
ties with him. it will not excite terror but vengeance.
In putting down opponent it will raise up hundreds Of
thousands.
In another part of the paper we find the following
paragraph:
GREAT DEMONSTRATION IN FAVOR OF FREE SPEECH.
The Young Mems Democratic Union Association of
this city making preparations for great open air
demonstration during the latter part Of this week in
favor of free speech and free press Some of the most
prominent Union men throughout the country have
been invited to attend and speak, and have sign6ed their
assent Its hoped that the time has gone by when
the voice Of the people will have effect the men
in power, and great meeting is anticipated