Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1863-09-30
Gov. Curtin on Arbitrary Arrests
TFrom the Patriot and Union.l

The Convention at Pittsburg, after
nominating Andrew 6. Curtin for re-elec- |
ton, passed a resolution fully endorsing |
all the arbitrary arrests and petty tyran-
MES of Secretary Stanton and upon this |
platform he now stands. In his. recent |
speeches at Pittsburg and elsewhere, Cur
tin has pledged himself to an 'unquestiona-
BILE support of the administration in what
ever they may do. Thus he not only en-
dorses all the lniquities of the administra-
ton perpetrated in the past, but pledges
himself TO sustain them in the future, no
matter what wrong or outrage they may
commit.
The President has by his recent pro-
clamation, deprived us of that sacred writ
of liberty for which the people of the world
have battled fof more than three hundred
years he has practically abolished the
courts to which we have been wont to re-
sort for the protection of our rights under
the law, and place every citizen at the
mercy Of the thousands of petty officials
| that now swarm throughout the land
| These officials, as every one who has
come in contact with them must feel,
! though wearing the badge Of servitude TO
Lincoln. have not been clothed with infal
rbility They are not above the average
of fallible humanity. They are compo-
sed of men subject to passions and prcju-
! dices like men in other positions of life,
good, bad and Indifferent and when they
are bad. their being :. dressed in a little
brief authority only serves to bring out
into bolder relief, their worst characters
tics
Under these circumstances is it not
probable, nay is it not certain, that many
violations of law and interfercnces with
the rights of individuals and Of States,
will be committed. And yet our prorl-
cial Governor, instead of stretching forth
, his hand TO save citizen from injustice,
pledges himself in advance 10 applaud the
act Of tyranny, and in that way encoura-
oes its repetion. Think of it fellow citi-
zcns! A Governor of the great common
,, wealth of PENNSYLVANIA, who has solemn
, ly sworn to support the constitution OF the
State, and see that the laws are faithfully
executed, pledging himself in advance &c
sanction and encourage the military pow
: er in trampling upon the Constitution, and
violating the laws made to carry out ii:
provisions! This is q subject in which
all are alike interested. I reaches every
;. fireside in the country. Any OF you who
may incur the spite or malice of one OF
Lincoin's minions is at any time liable tt
| be dragged from his home and without ;
warrant. and without cause, thrown int
some quard house or Federal Bastile, ther
y y to await the pleasure of your prosecutors
% and your Governor, whose sworn duty
is to see that the laws are enforced ant
the rights of every citizen protected, stand
nledoed TO sustain these violations of lib
erty and law, and turn a deaf ear to you
appeals for Justice. Is such a man wor
u thv of your support at the coming eleo
. ton /? Is such man worthy OF being Gov
= ernor of the keystone State? Are yo
III willing to entrust your lives and libertie
e in the keeping of such a recreant son
= Pennsylvania
- T., all our Considerations, National AT
Ifl State. it was carefully provided, by Il
va wise founders of our Government, that Il
military should at all times be subordina
to the civil law and up to the prese
evil hour no serious attempt has ev
been mauc 10 ONcIIlic TINS
n principle 4 strict construction OF o.
mo Constitutions, and strict observance
lIv the laws made under them, have heret
he fore been considered the great palladiu
-, of our liberty. And yet to-day we ha
,o a Governor who has tamely given up
{ + the reserved rights of the State and t
aId people to a central military power, par
No dino before bis fellow citizens, this erin
rt- nal pusillanimity as a virtue, and ask
+ts their suffrage on account of it Gre
for God, Can such a craven plea elicit trt
,bo freeborn Pennsylvanians anything but &C
a; tempt7 Has the spirit of freedom enti
os " departed from us Has the herr
40 80 blood which animated our ancestors
;no battling for their rights, ceased to cou
rim through the veins of their defendants
49, Are we willing to be slaves! Fell
- citizens. let us all 60 to the polls in DC
,rso @ ber next and, by our ballots, sterniy
,nts swer NO!