Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-02-14
SENATE.
TUESDAY, Feb. 3, 1863.

Moore, OF Harrisburg
The Journal OF yesterday was read and
approved.
GOVERNMENTAL ARRESTS.
Mr.. CLYMER presented a memorial
from citizens of this Commonwealth setting
forth their grievances arising from the ar
bltary, illegal and unconstitutional arrests
of their fellow citizens by orders of the
Federal Government and praying the
General Assembly to adopt such measures
as may be rcquisit to secure to the people
the rights and privileges guarauteed'to
them by the Constitution of the United
States and the Constitution of this State.
Mr.. CLYMER asked for the reading
Of the memorial.
The Clerk read as follows:
To Tie honora6Le The Senate and House Of
Representatives Of The commonwealth Of
Penasyiuan,a IN General assembly met:
The memorial of the undersigned citi
zens of said Commonwealth, respectfully
represents:
That since the commencement of the
present war, many acts of gross outrage
and wrong have been inflicted upon citizens
OF his State by persons holding office or
appointment under the United States, and
by vlrtoa (as allcged) Of authority from
the Exc cus@e Department thereof, which,
IN lhe oPlhioh of your memorlalistS, re-
qure thorough eAqosure and condemnation
and the establshm>ut OF adequate safe
guards against the RECURRENCE of similar
acts in future.
Your memorialists particularly allude
to the arrests made of citizens il civil life.
without due process OF law, by Msrshas
| and Provost Marshals OF the United States
or by the Military Governor ofthe District
of Columbia, and (in many cases) their
conveyances beyoud the State limits to
foreign fortrcssess and prisons followed by
their confinement therein for uncertain
periods, measured by the mere discretion
of official power.
These arrests, made in most daring con.
tempt of the Constitution of the United
States, and of the Constitution of the Com
monwoalth of Pennsylvania, and in utter
dero. alton of those principles of British
Liberty which we're brought to the new
world by our ancestors, and left to US by
them as most sacred legacy, challenge
most thorough investigation and outspoken
rebuke. Aud their occurrence, exhibiting
the !act that our citizens are not secure
against being kidnapped and carried be
yond the jurisdiction Of our tribunals ant
laws, proves that some steps should b'
taken by the State Government to prevent
like outrage in fnture.
Your mcmorialists therefore pray:
That the fact in the several cases o
illegal arrests in this State, under color o.
pretence of authority from the Fedora
Executive, may be Investigated and pu
in official form for the contemplation of tn
people:
That the Governor of the Common
wealth, upon whom is charged the oihcla
duty of taking care that the laws be faith
fully executed, be called upon in due an
respectful form to communicate to the twt
, Houses any information within his powe
in relation 20 the said unlawful arrests
and also to state what steps he has takel
lfany, to defend our citizens against then
Tuat if, upon due inquiry, it shall az
pear that our Stale laws are deficient
. not providing our ciiz ons with prompt an
5 efficient protection against arbitrary arrc'
or kidnapping, the necessary statutes sc
curing such protection may be torthwit
: euacled.
And lastly, that formal protest by tn
General Assembly, on behalt of the peopI
of this Commonwealth, against the arres
aforesaid; the said General Assembly o.
the same behalf, that future arrests Of
similar character, involving contempt {
constitutional law and OF the most sacre
e rights of personal liberty, will not be sui
mitted to by this State, may be place
4 upon the journals of the two Houses, an
y copies thereof transmitted to the Peesldel
u of the United States and to both Hous,
of Congress, to the end that it may
IS known of all that this State is devote
with unfaltering zeal to the principles
; freedom, and will consent to 40 preceden
Z which can oe cited hereafter in defence
? arbitrary power,
l. All which is respectfully submitted
s, your memorialists.
e. ii. Little, Levi l.. Tate,
/: VIM. Coleman. Nathan Bombay.
= 5. Y, Kechner, Jesse Beers,
o Benjamin Bombay, }, G. Freeze,
- T. Lyons, f. q Eyer,
le VIC Defenbacher, S. II. Miller,
At Michael Casey, J ii Furman,
o Coo,,.o Hoesarot Jocnh Euprly