The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-05-27
The Case of VaIIandingham.

The arrest Of Clement L. Vallsudigham By
military authority, and his trial by military
court for violation Of order No. IS, Of Gen
Burnside, commanding the Department OF the
Ohio, has excited much comment. We &c
ia another column, brief summary OF the case,
also arguments pro aud con, from t"o OF the
loyal papers Of the country. We regret that
We have not space for more extended extracts
from the able opinion Of Judge Leavitt, given
upon an application for a wit Of habeas corpus
10 this case.
l. vas to be expected that the copperhead
press of the country would seize this occasion
20 s,ir up BAD blood, BY blinking the Ja-fiying
circums ances Of the case, ard by making iutern
perate appeals 10 the passions OF the people
But when have they not done this? What act
OF the Government in putting down the rebellion
have they not at one time or another, denounced
as unconstitutional, tyrannical, and not 70 be
submitted to by the American people:
A. far as Vallandingham is concerned, it can
not be denied that he has been untiriug ia bic
eGorts to crush the Government, by arousing
AllE pt1f4t IA AD-Aliitf " tue Ills - pm
al Baltimore viii not be forgotten, when, at a
critical period, be and his CO sdjutor, ex Vice
President Breckinridge-now a General in the
rebel army-vainly attempted to gain the ear
Of the people OF MarJlAn TO induce them 10
take sides With the rebels. lie has been uucea-
slug in his denunciations Of the war, and has
constantly demanded peace at any price. He
has not only denounced the war measures Of the
Government, seriatiu, and advocated resistance
20 the conscdption law, but it is suspected
tnat he is ring leader in a secret organization
extensively established in Ohio, Indiana aud H.
hnos, for the oyerthrow Of the Government.
Ia time like this, when the Government is
struggling with its whole power to throttle a
wicked aud cruel rebellion, what right has a
man-even fhis name il Vallandngha m-to per
egrnate the country, denouucDg the war on
our part as wicked, cruel and unnecessary ?"
Why should he be allowed in public speeches
TO declare it "a war for the purpose OF crushing
cut liberty aud erecting 4 despotism?" If there
IS power to prevent men from proclaiming
such reasonable defamation, then we do not
sec how you can 'constitutioRaIv' "cOeTce'
those who, believing these utteFances, arm them.
selves in opposition TO the Government. 1t
SENS to US only legitimate result OF such ha-
rangues.
Ii arson and murder are crimes that deserve
and receive cOndigu punishment, shall the man
VINO incites men TO these deeds escape BY plead
ing the right OF freedom of speech? If a man
cannot SANDER his equal without being liable to
the penalty of the law, shall be be permitted, in
time OF unsurpassed public danger, to belle his
county and bis Government without stint, and
10 inaugurAte civil war with impunity? IL is
right that the instigatOrs Of treason in the North
and the abettors OF treason in the South should
feel the strong hand of the Government laid up
on them They are tue ones that should suffer,
rather than the victims OF their folly.
There is fitness in the decision of the Pres
ident, in this case, which should meet the appro
Val Of every right minded man. Where is there
a place Tor a so fit as among his friends
VallAudingham's speeches have been published.
circulated and quoted by the rebels, as standard
authority for their cause. The author has gone
like Judas IscariOt-to his own place. We
next expect to hear from him as an officer in
the rebel service probably on the staff of bis
old co-adjutor, Breckinridge.