Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-08-19
Generous Donation for For
WaFding Troops.
IMPORTANT ORDER OF GEN.
OANBY,
IncendlaFy Fire in New York.
DRAFT PROCLAMATION BY
GOV. SEYMOUR.
TAIPORTANr ORDkR.

| deneral Canby has issued an important
circular, defining the duties of the United
States troops in this city sRd harbOr.
He says their duties are limited to the
defense of the forts and the protection Of
public property, and of the officers of the
General Government in the performance
Of their legal duty. The duty Of maintain
ing order and protecting the property anS
rights Of private individuals deVolVes up
on the municipal and State authorities, but
the troops Of the United States will be
held in readiness to render any assistance
that may be called for by the proper authori-
tiles, or be rendered necessary by the ins-
bility Of the civil authorities to accom-
plish these ends.
If officers Of the general Government,
by committee Of State or Municipal Gov
eInment in the performance of their le-
| gitimate functions, are assailed by laWless
violence, it will be the duty Of the troops
/ to protect them. If they are charged with
the protection Of public property, public
| buildings, or other valuable intrests, it
will be their duty to defend them TO the
last extremity. If called upon by the
civil authorities to aid in the mainten-
anee of order, or the enforcement Of the
| laws, the aid will be rendered promptly,
faithfully and efficiently.
The troops that have been brought to the
city and who may be called upon to aid in
! the maintainance of order and the enforce
ment Of the laws, must themselves set the
example Of orderly and soldierly conduct,
and the attention Of all Cficers is
specially directed TO this point.
PROCLAMATION.
! - EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, Aug. I8.
1 have received information that the.
draft is about to be made 10 the cities Of
New York and Brooklyn, and understand
| that there is danger of dieorderly and
riotous attacks upon those who are en-
gagged in executing the law Of Congress.
cannot believe that any considerable
number Of citizens are disposed to renew
the shameful and sad scenes of the past
month, in which the lives Of so many Of
the innocent as well as guilty were de-
stroyed Our courts are consigniug to
severe punishment many Of those who we're
then guilty of acts Of destruction to the
laws and property Of their fellow citizens.
These events should teach all that real or
imaginary evils cannot be corrected by
unlawful violence. The liberties of our
country and the rights of our citizens can
only be preserved by just regard for le-
gal obligations and an acqui scence in the
decisions of judicial tribunals While 1 be-
lie7e it would have been a wise and hu-
name policy to have procured Judicial
decision with regard to the Constitution
ality of the Conscription Act at an early
day, and by summary process yet the
failure to do this does not in any degree
Justify any violent opposition to an Act
of Congress. Until it is set aside by the
decision of Judicial Tribunals, it must be
obeyed like any other act of the State or
Nstional Legislature.
The antagonistic doctrine that men may
rightfally resist laws opposed to their own
ideas Of right or duty has not only led to
great disorders and violence, but is one Of
the chief causes Of the destructive, civil
war. which has wasted the blood and treas
ure of our people. Disregard for the sa-
credness Of the Constitution, for the ma
iesty of the laws, and for the decisions Of
the Judiciary, is at this time the greatest
Idanger which threatens American liberty
This spirit Of disloyslty must be put
down. It is inconsistent with social or.
der and social security, and destructive tc
the safety of persons and property, and
subVersive Of the liberty of the citizen snd
the freedom Of the nation. Those WhC
fear that there are designs in any quarter
to overthrow the rights Of the citizen, ol
to obstruet the accustomed administration
of our laws, or to u.surP any power IN vlo
: lation Of Constitutional resVtslnls' shouls :
, bear in mind that all acts l :, SIoIenoe! a. q
very usurpations, and that they W.
regarded with satisfaction by those who,
: for any cause may wish to destroy either
the power or rights Of our nation or
State. The Constitution and statutes of
the State and nation contain ample RENE
dies fer all wrongs which may be commit
ted either by the rulers or citizens, and
those who wish to preserve their rights or
to punish offenders, whether IN public or
private life, should themselves carefully
perform their duty, abstain from all lille
gal acts, generously support the Govern
ment, and then calmly and resOlutely
claim their rights. again repeat the
warning which gave to you during the
riotous proceedings Of the past month, that
the only opposition to the conscriptiOn
which can be allowed is an appeal to the
courts.
hereby admonish all judicial and exc
eutive officers whose duty it is to enforce
the law and preserve the public order,
that they take vigorous and effective meas
ures to put down any riotous or unlawful
assemblages, and if they find their power
insufficient for that purpose, to call upon
the military in the manner pointed out by
the statutes Of the States.
If these measures should prove INSULT
cient, shall then exert the full power Of
the State in order that the public tran
guilty may be preserved, and that the
persons and property Of the citizens be
fully protected. Signed1
HORATI0 SEYMOUR.