Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-02-13
:, Mr.. n Speaker, it is y time that We become arous.

Mr.. Speaker, 1t 10 time that we become aroua
ed to our danger. II is time that this revolu
tionary movement, the rebellion of the Exeou
tive against the people, against the Constitution
and laws, should come to o stop. And, let m,
warn the members of the majority of thl
House-don't 20 too far in defending and justi
flying the arrests of our citizens. Recollect vel
your position now, and a year ago. Then 20,
represented the majority OF the people; but how
is 1t now? The verdict of the people, which WI
foresaw and foretold last winter, has been rend
cred against you. For your presence here nov
you are indebted only to the Constitution o.
Ohio providing for biennial instead OF snnua
elections. If a new election of members of the
Legislature had taken place last fall, how mani
Of you would be here now2 Where would be
the majority in the House? All, when the gen.
tleman from Logan engineered that inquitous
districting bill through this House, he and bic
friends thought to be endowed with almost ON
nipotent power, to do as they pleased. They in
tended to build triumphal cars for themselves
and cofins for our able Representative, Mr.. Cox
and other Democrats. Ah! they forget that
next to God, there 10 power above US all--ths
people. Their edict has gone forth and com.
pelled the gentleman from Logan 10 surrender
the trfumphsl car to Mr.. Cox, and to lie down
and be buried in the coffin made by his OWL
hands. Yes, the people have sat In judgment
over you, and have condemned you. The late
election teaches, in the language of an emf
nert writer, that the people are loyal to the
true Government, but opposed to the present
Administration; il teaches that the Admins.
trstion will not be suffered to trample under
foot the Constitution, the chart of our liberties
IL teaches that quiet must be restored to the do.
mestic hearth and peace to an afflicted people; II
teaches that Provost Marshals, bastiles an bayo-
nets are not the proper agents to enlighten O
free people or make them support an Admins
tratioD; it teaches that the traitors, who have
imported into this hitherto happy and free coun.
try the worst features of the French Revolu.
tion, must be made to know that they are the
servants and not the masters of the people.
Now, ask you, will you heed the lessons
tanght by the election2 II you do, vote for my
resolutions. They simply call for information
relative to the arrests of our citizens. | don't
want to screen the guilty. If any Of the parties
committed offenses known TO the law, If they
we're rightfully and legally arrested, let it be
known. II these arrests were wanton and ille-
gal, as claim them to be, let 1t also be known.
/ call your attention to the speech made re.
Gently 10 the Senate Of the United States on a
similar resolution, by Senator Sherman, In
which he uses the following language: 81 can
only repeat, that no resolution can be offered
calling for any information In regard to eny
arrest, that will not cheerfully and cordially
vote for. II the arrests are justified by the
facts stated in each particular case, then there
is the justification placed upon the record for
the benefit Of all who may have made the ar.
rests. II the arrests have been unfounded and
on weak or frivolous presexIs or pretenses, 1t IL
but right that the citizen should know to whom
he ia indebted for the involuntary and arbitrary
copfnementin In military prison."
Now, appeal 20 the members of the majori.
ty to assume the same lofty position which, in
this respect, one of your leaders has taken. II
you are satisfied that the investigation pro
pose would exculpate your Executives, why do
you 80 strenuously oppose itl But no. Your
gigantic effort to Illustrate the inquiry, shows
fear, and your action will be accordingly con
s.rued by the people II will be rightfu ly con.
strued as an effort to shun the light, because
you are afraid of the light; as an effort to cover
up the acts of the Administration, because you
know them Tn he ncts of tyranny, because you
know that Abraham Lincoln, "drest In q lizzie
brief authority, like an angry ape, plays snoh
fantastic tricks before high heaven, as make
| the angels weep" Outrages, damning outrages
hsge been committed. Hide them. Seek to
cover them up as much as you please. But re.
member, that in doing 30, you assume the re.
sponsbility for these outrages. Iwarn you MOI
to undertake the task. The burden will b,
too heavy for your shoulders. Beneath it
weight you will be crushed to atoms