M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1863-06-25
The Position Of the Governor Of
go 90 New Jersey. a,
FROM GOVERNOR PARKEK.
FEEEHoLD, N. jim 30.

GENTLEMEN:-Official ebgagementi
will not permit me toSbe at NewArl
Tomorrow. z 80. ,sesA I
Ny views upon;ths subject Of arb
trary and illegal arrests have hereto
fore been fullYSn emphatically ex..
pressed. Subsequent events have
confirmed and strengthened them.
The recent arestof a citizen of Ohio
lby military authority, and his srial
and sentence by military court, were
larbitrary and illegal acts The whole
proceeding was wrong in principle
and dangerous in its tendency.
The question is not whether the
sentiments expressed by Mr.. Vallan.
Idigham, in reference to the war and
its prosecution, were right or wrong,
or whether, by the expression of those
sentiments he became amenable to
the law. The great question is whe.
ther the tribunal that assumed to
araign him and dispose OF his per.
sUnal liberty, was lawful tribunal,
having jurisdiction of the alleged
ofense: or, in other words, whether,
10 State not occupied by hostile
armies, where martial law does not
exist, and where the courts are in un
disturbed operation, citizen not con.
nected with the military or naval
service, can lawfully be spirited away
at night by the strong arm Of military
power, subjected to the summary
proceedings ofa secret military court,
and exiled IRON his home.
They who differ from the opinions
expressed by Mr.. Vallandigham and
they who agree with him are equally
interested in the question. II the
right of trial by jury OF his peers 10
open court, in the presetlce of his ac
cnsers, shall be taken from the citizen,
and for it shall be substituted the er
pgrte examination of secret court
martial, then, indeed, we will live
under military despot:sm, aud our
boastsd liberty be but a name.
Tho people have the right to assem-.
bic and discuss questions Of public
policy. Without free discussion, a
republican Government cannot long
exist. They who are in authority are
the servants of the people, and should
encourage rather than repress the
free expression Of opinion. Other.
wise, the Government cannot truly
represent the people. The language
Of Mr.. Webster expresses my senti
ments upon the right of free discuss.
ion better than any form of words Of
my own, and | therefore shall adopt
his language.
at is the ancient and indubitable prerog.
adve of the people to canvass pubic mess-
utes and the merits Of public men. tits not
to be drawn into controversy. 1t IS as un.
doubted as the right of breathing the air,
orwalking on the earth. Belonging to pr-
vate life as right, it belongs to public life
as duty, and it is the last duty shall
ABANDON. This high Constitutional privi.
lege | shall defend and exercise at all times"
This is the crisis Of the nations life.
Let no one seek to bend this question
to serve mere personal or partisan
ends. Candid men Of all parties must
condem the acts to which allusion has
been made.
This is the time for the exercise of
q lofty patriotism. 1t is our duty to
transmit to posteritY the free institu,
lions bequeathed by our fathers
While maintaining the right, let US
be calm and dispassionste. Let no
wrong drive us from the path of duty.
Let US observe every requirement of
law.
The protests Of the people now be.
ing made in every loyal State should
not be mistaken for efforts to embar.
rass those who administer the Gov.
ernment. They proceed from no such
motive. The people are loyal to the
Government. They have sacrificed
much and are prepared to make still
greater sacrifices to suppress the Re.
bellion, and maintain the unity and
integrity of the Government. They
love the Union, and will not consent
to its dissolution. They are not fault.
fin ders. They make no factious oppo
81 ton. With hope long deferred they
still do not complain in regard to
matters comparatively immaterial
but the question now engrossing the
public mind is vital one, lying at
the foundation Of government, and
they would be degencrated and IN.
worthy their lineage, did they not
protest. The Union would be ol
little value if in restoring it we lose
our liberties.
.h r.8 Yours respectfully,
JOEL PARKER.
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