The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-07-01
Thomas Jefferson on Constitutional Right-
la time of War.

Thomas jefferson and Andrew jackson have
always been boosted a. the founders Of the Dem
Ocratic party They were the founders of the
true Democracy; bat both OF them condemned
modern COpperheadism, and both sanctioned
arbitrary arrests the arrest and Punishment of
citizens, like the case OF Vallandgham, the US
tension of the writ of ka5eas corpus, and the
enlistment Of negroes.
jackson, Al New Orleans, it is well known, ar
rested and bani-hed several citizens, among 9th
ers foreign consul He denied tae writ q. h.
Beas corpus aud arrested the Judge who issued It
And all these acts were done during a tine o.
peace, after pence ras declared and tie ledr en-
ded
But Jefferson was particularly noted for his
commentaries upon abe Constitution. iu which
are laid down the doctrines upcs which the old
Democratic party became 50 powerful aud sue
ces-ful. Jefferson saws, volume 4, page $50:
A strict Observance Of tho written Ian j.,
doubtless, one of the high duties OF cool citi
zen. but il is not the hiyhesk The law Of ne
cessity, of Representation, OF saving our cOun-
try when in danger, are OF higher obligation. 49,
To lose our country jy scrupslio'ss adherence 10
the ,critfe Tar ITSELF with liie liberty, property.
and all those who are enjoying them with Us, L.
thus aboirdiy sacrificing the end TO the means
At the time OF the great Burr conspiracy
Thomas Jefferson wrote IN General Wilkinson
thus.
"On great occasions egerg good officer must be
ready 20 risk himself it going beyond the strict
lines Of the l0c, when the public preservation
requires il.
His motives will be a Justification far As
there is any discretion in his ultra legal proceed
ings, and no indulgence IN private feelings
Your sending here SsartwOut and Balman, and
adding TO them Burr Bennerhasset aud Tyler,
should they tall into YOUR hands, will be supper
ted by the public opinion
''The Feds aud the little band of Guilds, in
opposition trH frv 10 make something or the ia
frinqemenf Of liberty by the military arrests
aud epOrtation Of citizens, but if it does not
go beyond such offenders as Swartwout Ball
man, Burr, Blennerhasset, &c-, hey ciH Be sup
ported b. public aPpro5at'oH.'
"The arrest aud deportation Of Nallandig-
ham, the COpperheads have tried to make some
thing out OF, but this arrest will also be sup
ported by public opinion" Such clear eRun-
citation Of the exact doctrines which the Copper
heads raise such cry against coming from the
father of Democracy, ought 10 make honest
Democrats pause and study their course and its
bearings before bhndy following their leaders
any further
We will add to this one other warning from
the history Of period in England very similar
TO this. At the time OF the great Eoglish revo
luton. when James H. was dcposed and Prince
William, of Orange, was made King BY act Of
Parliament men we're found, as now, who cried
out at every step unconstitutional" a member
of Parliament and the leading English jurist Of
the age-a man OF rare Judicial knowedge and
general attainments-spOke as follows:
ave are. az this moment. out OF the beaten
track II, therefore. zee are determined 10 more
only ia that path, Ts canno. more az al. A
man in revolution resolving to do nothing
which is not strictly according to established
form, resembles a man Who has lost himself ia a
wilderness, and who stands crying, Where is
the Kings highwsy' | vii walk H0'chere but
in the Kings highwsy' In the wilderness a
man shoIld take the track which will carry hm
home. In a revolution, we must have recourse
TO the higher lac, the soTety Of The State"
We commend these pregnant words to those
of this country who are entanged in the meshes
Of precedent and blind faith in the efficiency OF
tipstaffs and written law 10 put down rebellion
and quench The flames OF viSn war.-GranS
Rapids Eagle.