Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-05-02
FEDERAL DEspoTIsM DENOUNCED.
The Neso York Democracy Duty 10 the
s0 War and The Administration n

war anu We AumtntStTuttOn
The Democratic members of the Senate and
Assembly of New York, on coming to the close
Of their legislative labors, desire to address
their constituencies on the subjects of public
interest, which at this time engage alike the
attention of the people and their representa-
tives. li. u. .,5'1rU s.
The session Of the Assembly opened In
protracted struggle, and the House was finely
organised pnder circumstances that left deep
Impression upon lie character and upon the con.
duct Of legislation. One Of the members from
Kings county, elected as a. Democrat by q
constituency largely Of that political cbarac.er,
was Induced 10 abandon his party, and accept
the speakership Of the House at the hands Of
hie opponents. under circumstances involving
gross betrayal Of party faith and personal die
honor. HeaJeueived from leading pblticars s
Of the Republican party the cum OF $1,000, un-
der circumstances leaving no doubt that it was
obtained upon the following draft: r5ase.a
SiYV0' ,.ao4lo ALBANY, Jan. Is, 1863.
To Isaac shermsn, Esq, Treasurer, Hanover Square
Pay to the order Of Hamilton Harris, Esq, twelve
hundred dollars ~ .'''.sol'HU
~ ,..5 -. ,...., V. y. R. HsIow, Chairman.
AAHvhbou-hhih'f1uII 1nuIiVW Weous
Written across the face Of the draft Is the
following q Paid: Jan. 90, 1863" 1l-a-
THE draft isi signed by the chairman and
secretary of the Republican State committee,
and 10 drawn upon the treasurer of Che com
mlttse, and Is made psyble to and indofsed BY
member of the Executive committee of that
organization, BY whom the $1,000 was paid to
MI. Gailic5t:sgdI1 ~ d. 7a-
To expose thia transaction, ard the ireeponsi.
billty Of thepatties to IL, was the maihobjeot OF
thSeFuggle Of the Democratic members before
It's; ;snnsumt tIlstiop In the election of Speaker,
andItbs efortwa repeatedly renewed during
the ssssiou;G to conceal II, and to- suppress
evidence in. regard to it, was the aim Of the
Republieans, The charges made before the
House against the Speaker, embraced wider
range Of culpAbility; but the inquiry was re-
stricled by the declsion of partisan committee,
which arbitrarily excluded evidence aud ignored
the positive Prescriptions Of guilt; and when,
10 the end, the'pr0of wac brought home to the
partiesz charged. ds.thew mgigrltyaot the House,
aided by q courae of Hnparliamentary tactics,
aummarily ytcdt OF thediseaesion and decision Of
the question, and tnterposed in body to screen
| the accused from punishment. In thus assum-
ing his defense they took upon themselves the
Irespopslbility of hisamiseoBduct and its conse-
quonces o there has beeumuclrthat has been
loose action OF the present ees.
sion the responsibility for II is to- be traced to
ito ill.omened opening, The corrupt bargain
gave to the Republicans the Speaker, working
majority In the House, and the organization oil
the committees, while they already had control
OF the ,Senate.ns Do L5sls Iol elEiihHGo q 20
Wedonot propose TO review those measures
or do more than indicate their general character
istios, which we're, disregsrd Of the obligations
of the Constitution, State and Federal, indiffer-
ence to the personal rights and franchises of citi.
zsns, and absence Of sound economy. Upon no
question had the will Of the people been more
clearly expressed in the election Of 1862 than
In condemnation Of the system of arbitrary ar.
rests of citizens cf the loyal States by the
Federal authorities. The injustice OF these ar
rests had been made 8, apparent as the folly
OF the politicians at Washington, who 10 a
crisis like the present, chose to set the example
Of disobed!ence to the law and indifference 20
their oaths OF office. Yet when the Democrats
of the Assembly proposed an inquiry into these
outrages, In the ftllowlng resolution, they ", re
voted down BY the unanimous voice OF their op-
ponents, the Speaker changing his vote to pro.
duce the result:
"WHEREAs, Several citizens of the State OF
New York have, since the Let day Of July, 1861
been arrested without process of Law, and i'm
prisoned without warrant, within the limits OF
this State; and c
"WHEKEAs, Many others have been 90 arrest
cd and taken, not only without authority Of law,
but in violation OF the statutes, beyond the
limits of the State; and Jtf
"WHEREAs, 1t is represented that public off,
GERS of this State have aided In such arrests
and imprisonment and deportation, and that