The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-06-25
The Pres;sev, an v.,IauAsxham.

s. W
The President en- vslIaaAi8Aam.
HE REPLIES TO THE coMnTrKE OF NEW YORK
DEMOCRATS WHO DRMAND vALIANDIaHAM's
RELEASE. ..-a u .H5f5 a-
WAsmNsToH, June ID
The Presidents reply to the resolutions of
the public meeting held ct Albany, N. Y,
with regard to arbitrary arrests by military
authority, and at the same time expressing
their determination to sustain the Admins
tration in lawful and constitutional measures
to suppress the rebellion, is made public to-
dav. 1t is quite lengthy, but the following
extract concerning Vallandigham's case, is
the result of the entire argument. MIR. Lin
coin, in referring to the resolutions, says
'sThe meeting indicate their opinion that
military arrests may be constitutional IN the
States where rebellion actually exists but that
such arrests are unconstitutional III localities
where rebellion or instruction does not aetu-
ally exist They insist that such arrests snail
not be made outside Of the lines OF necessary
military occupation and the scenes OF lnsnr-
rection. Inasmuch, however, as the constl-
tuition itself makes no such distinction, am
unable to believe that there is any such con-
stitutional distinction. | concede that the
class of arrests complained OF. can DO const-
tutional only when,i in cases OF rebellion or IN
yasion, the public safety may require them,
and, | insist that in such cases they are con-
stitutionaI " hen ever the public safety does
require them, as well in places to which they
may prevent the rebellion extending as in those
where it may be already prevailing; as well
where they may restrain mischievous inter
ference with the raising and supplying OF ar
mics to suppress the rebellion as where the
rebellion may actually be as well where they
may restrain the enticing men out OF the ar
my as where they would prevent mutlny III
the army; and equally constitutional at all
places where they will conduce to the public
safety as against the dangers OF rebellion or
invasion, like the particular case mentioned
bv the meeting. 1t is asserted, in substance,
that MIR. Y. was by military conmander,selz
ed and tried for no other reason than words
addressed to a public meeting in criticism OF
the course of the Administration and III con
domination Of the military orders OF the Gene
raj Now, if there be no mistake about this,
if this assertion is the truth, if there was no
other reason for the arrest, then | concede the
arrest was wrong; but the arrest, as under
stand was made for very different reason.
Mr. Vallandighanl ayows his hostility to the
war on the part Of the Union, and his arrest
was made because he was laboring with some
effect to prevent the enlisting of troops to en-
courage desertion from the army and to leave
the rebellion without an adequate military
force to suppress it He was not arrested be-
cause he was damaging the political prospects
of the Administration or the personal interests
of the commanding General, but because he
was endangering the army, upon the exist
ence and vigor Of which the life OF the nation
depends Tie was warning upon the military
and this gave the military constitutional Ju-
risdiction to lay hands upon him. II Mr. Y,
was not damaging the military power OF the
country, then his arrest was made on mistake
"a fact which would be glad to correct on
reasonable and satisfactory evidence un-
derstand the meeting adopted resolutions IN
favor of the suppression Of the rebellion by
military force and by armies. Long expert
ence has shown that armies cannot be main
tanned unless desertion shall be punished by
the severe penalty of death, The case re-
duircs and the law and the Constitution sane
ton this punishment. Must shoota simple
minded soldier boy who deserts, while must
not touch a hair of willy agitator who mdu-
ces him 10 desert This is none the less
injurious when effected by getting fatherorr
brother. or friend into public meeting, and
there working upon his feelings till he is per-
slladed to write the soldier boy that he IS hight
ing IN bad cause, and for weak admins
trationsof contemplate Government too
weak to arrest and punish him if he shall de-
scrt think that in such a case, to silence
the agitator and save the boy is not only con-
stitutional, but, withal, a great mercy.
After reviewing the suspension of the h9-
Beaa coqpas by Gen. jackson, the President
says; =.
erection. / do not know whether | would have
ordered the arrest of Vallandigham While
cannot shift the responsibility from myself
hold that as a general rule the commander
in the field is the better judge OF necessity III
any particular case Of course | must prac-
tice a general directory and revisory power III
the matter One Of the resolutions expresses
the opinion of the meeting that arbitrary ar
rests will have the effect to divide and distract
those who should be united III suppresslng
the rebellion, and ain specifically called on
to discharge Mr.. Yallandigham. | regard tins
act at least a fair appeal to me on the expe-
diency Of exercising constitutional power
which think exists. IN response to such APP
peal have to say that it gave me great pain
when learned that Mr.. V, had been arrest
ed, that is I was panied that there should
have seemed to be necessity for arrestiDg
him-and that it viii afford me great pleas
urc to discharge him SO soon as | can by any
means believe the public safety will not suffer
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