The mountain Democrat., 1863-08-08
The SubSt1tutiOn OF Military for
C1Vu Law.

There cannot be found in the world 9
nation or people where obedience to Law
and its forms is more religiously observed
than IN the loyal States Ofthis country to
day. tits observed from habit, education
and sence that the safety Of each de
mands from all this obedience. The as
sertion, then, that it is necessary to over
ride civil law by military authority, is ar
inso)ent assumption, false in fact and theo
~, and insulting to the people. The as.
sertion that II is necessary In any one q
these States is not warranted by q single
circumstance that has transpired in either
or that may be justly apprehended
What are the reasons advanced for the
substitution of civil for military authority
The chief one is the alleged effects of the
teachings Of those who oppose the war,
inhaming public opinion against it. Ad-
ded to this are minor considerations which,
when separately considered, are too pue-
rile for notice. The time has been when
public opinion was vital to the support OF
the administration in its conduct Of the
war. Public opinion responded to its
claim, and gave all and more than was ask
ed of men and means. The Chairman
Of the Senate Committee on Military AT.
fairs, in March, 1861, said we were rails
ing too many men, and that enlistment
must be stopped, and they were suspend
ed. lfpublic opinion does not now re-
spond with generous confidence" then
shown to the call for volunteers, whose is
the fault =? The people now, as kecnly as
then, feel the necessity Of maintaining the
Union. AS the probabilities Ofits destruc-
tion have increased, their reverence for
an interest in it has grown.
1t is the administration itself that has
driven from itself the confidence and re-
spect of the people. It provides against
the loss Of that confidence and respect by
the passage of the cOnscription law
What matters it whether public opinion
sustains or condemns its policies SO long
as the conscription can be made effective
in filling the ranks Of its armies, and the
tariff and tax laws, and the unlimited
power for the creation and manufacture Of
money, insure against the depletion of the
Treasury Has it not the purse and the
sword2 Is it not invested with absolute
despotism?
1t is against the exercise of this despo-
tism that We protest. Believing that
there was no necessity for its creation, we
believe that the attempt to enforce it can
only be productive Of mischief. Until the
people declare purpose to resist law.
what reason can be urged for the substi-
tuition of military for civil authoriy? In
no State has any such purpose been de-
clared by sny body of people so consiera.
rble in numbers that constable in any
ward of any city, or in any township,
would have had any hesitancy in attempt
ing TO enforce the law?
The late riot in Dayton Ohio, was
caused by the wauton disregard Of law by
the military authority, and the abduction
by armed soldiers Of q citizen known to be
loyal, and commanding as much Of respect
as any citizen Of the State. The indigna.
ton caused by his arrest sought express
sion in lawless violence. This no one can
uphold or attempt to justify. 1t was only
less reprehensible than the lawlessness Of
the arreSt.-Chicago Times.