Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-06-04
DEFEND THE RIGHT.

The profound sensibility Of the public mind to
the illegal proceedings Of Gen. Burnside in the
military arrest, trial, and conviction Of citizen Of
Ohio for an offence which, under recent statutes,
is made cognizable by the courts of the United
States, has been sufficiently demonstrated during
the last two weeks. And in view of this express
sion OF popular opinion, We think there is little
danger that this anomalous case will be recorded
for precedent 1t will rather stand as warning
t, all who may be tempted in similar manner
to allow their zeal to outrun their discretion in the
military service of their country, whose loyal popu-
lation, in wagiDg q war for the maintenance of
law and order in the South, do not wish to see the
reign Of arbitrary power established at their own
doors, and this without the plea of necessity"
which the last Congress took away by its statutes
made and provided to meet just such emergencies
IS Gen. Burnside assumed to settle by the sum-
mary process Of court-martial.
Among the indications of public opinion on this
question perhaps none is more significant than
that afforded by the discussions had in the recent
convention Of "Loyal Leagues" which met at
Utica, New York, few days ago. The moral Of
these discussions is drawn to this effect by that
considerate Administration journal, the Boston
Daily Advertiser, paper which always treats the
constituted authorities with the respect that is due
to them, but which, in its comments on public
affairs, seeks also to remember what is due to it.
self and to truth. Like ourselves the Advertiser
is supposed by some people to be little " old
fashioned" and it is very possible that those who
make merit Of giving an "unquestiouing sup
port" to the Administration may think it a great
superiority that any body, in his love of country
or his respect for law, should be anxious to have
the constituted authorities always in the right,
when to unquestioning supporters it must be
matter Of Indifference whether the Administra-
ton is in the right or in the wrong.
After reciting the purport of the proceedings
had in the Utica Convention, and after stating
that the committee on resolutions did not abandon
the attempt to procure from the meeting formal
condemnation of the illegal proceedings of Gen.
Burnside, until the fact had been developed that
besides the committee large section of the Con-
vention in favor Of this expression Of opinion
and that portion of the rem ainder probably re-
SuTucu Tie poSlIiou takcu III TIE TeSOiutlOuS rs
right, but were reluctant even to seem to censure
an act which the Administration, in full view of
its responsibilities and with undoubted purity of
intention, had seen fit to sustain our Boston con-
temporary proceeds as follows:
1--WE must also call attention to the fact that Of the
public journals which support the Administration 10 the
middle OF the Eastern States only very small part have
been willing to commit in favor Of the taken
in this others have done only upon the avowed
principle OF supporting whatever decision might be arrived
at by the Administration while many, and think the
majority, including well those Of radical tendencies
those which favor conservative policy have openly
pressed their regret Only Administration journal in
New York for example, the Times, has been willing to
dore the wisdom Of the action in this At the West
approval is more common but do not know that,
fairly considered this would be held to be very author
tatye endorsement.
IL is not grateful task for 10 rehearse these
qualified structures upon the which the Government
has thought il best to pursue But it has seemed to to
that the friends Of the Administration do not look with in
difference upon any error however well meant which
tends to the establishment of precedents injurious TO
liberties and the security of institutions; and that in
this particular large portion of them, 10 say the
leasand those neither the least active the least de-
serving Of that the necessity for
the action resolved upon not obvious to free the
example from danger The fact which wise states
will not fail to note and to appreciate deserves