The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-06-12
THE LIBERTY OF THE PRESS.

THE LIBERTY OF THE PRESS.
Opinions Of an Abolition Member OF Con.
Kres:-Leaders ef the Republican Party
nav 1 P,.~ns sSe irr.r,c.. rsoe a.
Isaac N. Arnold, OF Illinois.
To NY FELLOW CTIzENs-Durng the excitement grew
ing OF the order Of Gen. Burnside suppressing thu
Chicago Times urged to ask the President revoke
the order refused to do this because not having
how far the paper had gone, nor precisely upon whs
grounds the order had been issued. did, however.
quest the President to give his careful consideration TO
petition asking that the order be rescnded suspended
1t not in my power then to express any ntelH
gent opinion as 70 whether the order should q
should be abrogated and | never have ex
pressed any opinion to the President that point
one way or the other. But that which / asked thi
President do have endeavored to do myself have
given it careful consideration, and have come to tbs
conclusion that the President has done right in revoknl
the order and in this opinion dier from some Of my
friends desire to express the reasons why approve
this act Of the President
If you will pause aud reflect little think satisfy
you that you have been doing the President and others
great injustice Burke, thiak. who said that tn
shield against calumny was character. sympathiz
with you in your natural Indignation at the existence
paper among of the character OF the Times. YOU
condemnation of me regret, but appeal to your sober
secoad thought strike Il you please, but hear M
had personal to rejoice 10 the sup
preston OF the Times than II SO, know
not who he is No other man received from
80 much personal abuse and that Of the mos
bitter and malignant character believe its tendencies
dangerous 70 c0unrys cause yet believing that
IL has constitute nal right TO abuse and the govern
ment subject to punishment by the laws Of the land.
think the President did right In revokng the order for IL
Indignation, should certainly have urged the
President to interfere with Burnedes order. Even
those who differ with me WIN perhaps gvs me credit 70.
the passion aud excitement Of the day have passed yos
viii approve Of my conduct heartily some Of yos
why DO the order Of the PRESIDENT Because
in my Judgment the order of General Burnside
been sustained by the President would have made q
issue before people, upon which the friends OF the I'd
ninstration NOT icing in tie right could not hare succeed
saved you from political disaster.
My friends, we have common purpose-tc crush this
the means, when Of them 10 the suppression
freedom OF the press by military power When you
inc resident the Suag.s Q. .ns United states Courts
tsm loyalty and integrity no man win questionwhoD
you them ALL although hating the Times they haN
treason itself yet all declaring thst this military
wrong is il not possible that you in error and thai
these thoughtful, true men, acting under their RESPONSE
biies the constitution and their oathss not Just
possible that they may be right, after all?
do rot propose TO argue the constitutional question
is too clear for argument No inteigen man can deny
that such order violates tho constitution. Intelligent
and candid men, who justify the order defend II, not
constitutional but necessity, resulting from the dan
gerous condition Of the country.
II simply an exercise Of power in direct conflict with
every guarantee OF the constitution and Of magma chara
10 those who excuse or Justify this order on the ground
attention moment while attempt TO show that no such
necessity exists, and that an adequate remedy exists
without resorting TO so dangerous q precedent Tbs
American people not ready 20 acknowledge
stution failure nor are they ready 70 see military
dictator established. There difficulty in Furnishing
constitution Where war or insurrection exists In fact,
any general in command may arrest and punish danger
sedous publications. This was done by Gen. jackson AZ
New Orleans and defended playground Of necessity by
All Violations OF military orders. which military COM
mander under the articles OF the laws Of the land,
For instance, any person aids deserter 70 escape,
resiss his arrest or creates by word act mutiny
INSTRUMENTATION in the camp, for all such, and like Of
fences, the offender may be summarly arrested ana
punished by military power.
For resisting the draft and all offences connected with
he Chicago % assertion advises res
lance to the arrest OF deserer resistance to tho draft
il becomes Liable TO summary trial and punishment IL
u in any way gives aid and encouragement 10 the
rebels--as in my Judgment II often has-under the
provisions Of the law it may be indicted, tried and
punished
But may be asked what shall be zone where the
Border states the civil law " parayzcd when sympathy
answer for such sections Of the country in Missouri
Tennessee and portions 81 other states you must have
martial law. Is Chicago and Illinois in that conditions
II co. then am for martial law. That, my Fellow citi.
zens, the remedy. If traitors conspriDg in
midst TO overthrow the government aud preparing to In
augurate civil in midst and the danger immi-
II insurrection rebellion and civil war are being con-
cocted ana prepared In Illinois, and n the public safety
requires tine President has the power and he ought 70
exercise IT, OF susendng the writ Of habeds corpus and
procaimug martial law THIS he has the clear constits
tionul right TO do
These then are the powers, ample and FULL TO puaish
treason and sedon, and all who aid and abet it, without
government worth oil the blood being shed 70 pre-
serve 10.
Is il then wise to resort TO doubtful means OF Furnishing
traitors when reach them by legal and constttu
tioual means
rhe greatest danger which now threatens the success
OF the Union cause serious division In the loyal states
With the loyal States substantially united our success II
restoring the Union Is only question Of time Illinois
although the fourth STATE In the Union, h think, first
In the physical and moral power has brought TO AID
che President in crushing the rebellion. A serious
division here between the people and Legislature
Of our state and the Federal Government, and
our great cause would be greatly jeepardizeds
10 prudent for the administration 70 bring Issue,
involving the liberty OF the press with the Judges Of the
Supreme and District Courts OF the United States and
both tho confidential friends or the President aud our
only republican senator, against the administration
Assin il you suppress the Times by military force, you
must suppress the expression Of the kame sentiments By
whomsoevcr and wheresoever uttered. that which Il
sedton 10 Chicago Is sedtou In New York city Fer
nando Wood speaks rank treason the Chicago Tina
week IN New York IL you suppress the TINES you must
suppress Wood shall the President 90 out Of hrs way
raise issue With the Governor OF New York;
NO. my fellow citizens, In critical times the government
must combine prudence and discretion with energy sud
bodness Wood and storey both are dangerous men sne
constitutional Punish them according TO law, and
all PARTIES will sustain you Attempt 70 punish them By
SIsQaI and Unconstitutional MEANS and give them
iuncuse advantage with the law on our side We viii