Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-08-14

10 tne Calls OF tue eGOVefDmenL,s snail De refused
the opportunity to continre its voluntary suppor
of the armies of the Union There Ia another
point which profoundly excites the public mind
which has been brought to your attention by
persons from this and other States. Our peopIe
have been taught that laws must be npbeld
and respected at every cost and every sacrifce;
that the Conecription act, which demands
their persons, and perhaps their lives, must
be promptly obeyed, 5ecause It. Is a
statute Of our Government. To support the
msjesty OF law million Of men bal gone forth
from northern homes to the b,ttle-fells of the
South, more than 300 900 have been laid in
bloody graves, or have persisted 10 lingering
disease. The guilt OF the rebellion consists In
an armed band against constitutional or legal
obligations. The soldier who has given uu bis
life; the capitalist who has contributed bis
treasure; the mechanic and the laborer who
have paid to the tax-gstherer the earniups Of
their toll, have cheerfully made these sacrfces
because they saw in the power Of laws not only
obligations TO obedience but protection to their
rights, to their persons, and to their homes. Il
is this protection which alone gives value to
government. II Is believed by at least one
half Of the people OF the loyal States that the
Conscrlption act, which they are called up
on to obey, because 1t stands upon the statute
HuOF2mA
constitutional law. Thee 10 a fear and susui.
cion that while they are threatened with the
severest penalties Of the law they are deprived
of ite protection. 10 the minds of the Ame,i-
can people the duty of obedience and the right
to protection are inseparable. If il Is, there
fore, proposed on the one hand to exact obedi-
ence at the point of the bayouet, and upon the
other hand, to shut off by military power ali
approach to our judicial tribunal3, and to depy
redress for wrongs, we have reason to iesr
the most ruinous results. These disasters NAV
be produced as we'll by Bringing law into con.
tempt, and by o destruction OF aspect fo- tho
decision Of courts, as by open resistance. Thi,
Government aud oar people have moe tl fear
from an acquiescence in the disorgauiz ng teach.
iDgs, that war suspends their legal riehts. or
destroys their legal remedy, than they have to
tear from resistance to the doc ripe that
measures can be enforced without regard to the
decision of Judicial tribunals. TheTrefussl of
Governments to give protection, exc ctIz ,ps
to disobedience The successial execution of the
Conscription act depends upon the settlement.
by Judicial tribunals, of its coastitutionality.-
with euch decisions in Its favor is will have a
hold upon the public respect and oeference
which II now lacks. A refusal to submit It to
this test will be regarded as evidence that /.
iCBAilby ouu IOTcP. "A
ure 30 unusual In the history OF this country.
which jars 80 hsrshy with those ideas of you6.
tIry action which ba o 30 loDg prevailed in this
community, and which have b sen 90 copsoicn
ous in the conduct of this wa, should 90 firth
with all the sanction Of every department of
our G1vernment-'hele legislative, toe exeoutiVe
and the Judicial. With such sane ions It would
overcome the hostility which it naturally Gre
ates in the minds OF people conscious of their
p .triotism and jealoue of their rights. ear
estly urge that the Cover Jment interpose no
distractions to the earliest practicable iadieial
decision upon this point. Our accustomed pro.
cedures give to our citizens the right to bring
all questions affecting personal liberty or CON-
pulsofy service In direc! and summary m an.
ner to the judges aud clurts of the State or ma
ton. The decisions which would thus natural-
ly be rendered within bief period, and a,ter
full and ample discussion, would make such a
current OF judicial opinion ss would salisfy the
public mind that the act Is either valid or void
The right of this Government to eaforce mill
tsry service 10 any other mode than that pointad
out by the Constitution, cannot be estabbshsi
by violent enforcement Of the statute Il
must be determined ult mately by the judiciary.
1t should be determined in advance of An an.
forcement which must be destructive of so
IL duy ArOps ~ WOulu UO u CEu6l mock In
withhold such decision until after the irrem adj.
able Injury of its execution upon those WIN az a
unable to pay the sum demanded in lien of
their persons. Those who are able to clmmnts
might have their remedy by recovery of the
money paid in Communication. M eylis ara 70
be feared If the Law should be pronounced mn.
constitutional. Tne submission of this Cav
eminent to the deoisions of our courts wonld
give IL new and stronger hold utoa the public
confidence. II would add new vipor to
our system OF government, and it Nonld
call forth another exhibition of voluntaYv
offerings of men and treasure to UNFOLD N
Administration which should thu, defend and
respect the rights of the people. Tie spisii of
laWlessness in our land would be rebuked. re-.
spect for legal obligations would be inviSora-
ted, confidence in our Government wuuit be
strengthened, the diasensi,ns aud 4sl lousies the
North. which now weaken our cause, would at
once be healed up, aud your voice would be po-
tential in calling forth the 20 Her and io,ce of
united people. b. what wiling strength has
done Ia the past you may foresee wha, wiling
aud united strength may accomplish in the fu-
ture. 1t cannot be said Of New York, believe
it cannot be said ofany N,rlhern State, tn al if
the Conscfiption &C. Is declared uncobstitution-
al, the naion 10 thereby abandon I'd to weaknees
and paralysis. Bs assured such a tat, can
never befall Government which represents
the convictions Of the people, which works with
the spirit and provisions OF the Constitution
Il is no more possible un fer such circumstances
that the nation SHOULD be LETT 10 helpl, 8 Jness
than shat tue stfo3g man arm should refuse 10
obey his will. If this bill, whicl sIaads upou
the assumed right Of Congress 70 pass such an
act, ehali fall 10 the ground there is still lei {
the undisputed authority to call 70 th the armed
power OF the nation in tAe manner distinctly set
forth in the Constitution OF Que country I do
not dwell upon what believe woud d be the
const quence Of violent harah policy before
the constituIio aality Of the act is tested You
can scan the immediate luture as we'll as l -
The temper OF tae people to day you can readil,
learn by Consulting, as have doae, with men
all political parties, and of every profession
and occupation. The nations strength ia il
the hearts of the people. E.trange them, di
vide them, and the foundstiops fall, the euuc
ture muss perish. am confident you viii, Zee
that acquiesoence in my requests will be but
small Concession for our Government 30 max
to our people, and particularly that il Should as
sure itselt and them of the accordance of Il
subordlnate Lave with the supreme law of th
land. II will be bui listle price to pay for th
peace Of the public mind l. will aba moth
lug from the dgnity, nothing from the cover
eighty of the nation to oh W just regard ia
the m m,jesty OF the Law and patefnal interes
in the wishes and welfare of our citizsns.
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