The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-01-23
THE THUE POLsCY OF THE WAR
A Patriotic Democrat on the Con-
ducs Of the Opposition.
SPEECH OF SENATOR WRIGHT OF INDIANA

On Tuesday. January 9Th, the United
States Senate resumed the consideration OF
the bill to provide for the discharge OF
state prisoners and others. and to authorize
the judges Of the United States courts to
take bail or recognixances to secure the
trial Of the same. The pending question
being on the motion Of Senator Powell to
strike out the third section OF the BILL Sen
ator Wright, Of Indiana, said:
Mr.. Pre- ident, the bill under considera.
tion contemplates the release OF political
prisoners under certain circ umstances /: and.
under the conditions of the constitution, il
is designed to authorize the President to
suspend the writ Of ha6eas corpus. Some
days since l voted to lay the resolution of
the Senator from Delaware TMr. Salisbury
on the table and l did so because, among
reasons, this bill. il it shall pass to the
statute book. will entirely supersede the
necessity for such a resolution /; and, there
fore, it's further discussion would be not
only Improbable but actually injurious
The Legislation for a great country should
be accomplished in broad and catholic
spirit. and not be tinctured with party con-
tentions or local jealousies. or even isolated
cases Of wrong and oppression. Such cases
have their teachings. and they may prompt
us to a vigorous maintenance Of our inalien.
able liberties, but when they have effected
their purpose they may be laid aside and
the remedy be pursued by u comprehensive
craftsmanship. prefer. therefore. that the
brief period which is left to US Of this
flseting session shall not be sacrificed
10 individual cases. but given to legis,
lation on general principles. which shall
embrace in their operation the vast area
Of the republic and the aggregate Of
our fellow citizens. l am In favor OF the
bill now before the Senate as it came to us
from the committee, that we may hereafter
regulate, by a law which shall not be mis-
understood. that about which there has been
much acerbity and conflicting Judgment
1t is scarcely necessary, then, for me t. say
that shall no, vote for the pending amend
ment. the motion of my honorable friend
from Kentucky Mr. Powell to strike out
the third section.
TIE vouNpkRs OF THE UNION on POLITICAL
ARRESTS.
We cannot, il VIC would, conceal the fact
that much capital has been made by pol;ti-
clans out OF arrests which have been direct.
his authority. Men do not seem to realize
the condition OF things in the country, and
the most improper appeals are made to the
ignorant aud the uususpecting, which alarm
their fears on this subject. In the dark
days OF '76. General Lee wrote to James
Bowdoin. President OF the Massachusetts,
C1uncil
We must save the community, i'm spite
o. the ordinances Of the legislature There
are times when We must commit treason
against the laws OF the state for the salvation
OF the state. The present crisis demands
this brave, vir,uous kind of treason,
No statesman OF this day would be w;ll;n,
TO use Ian ruage strong as that wb;cb
one OF Washington's generals used in the
war OF the Revelation /; but occasions arise
when arrests become necessity which can.
not be disregarded without an impesch.
ment Of fidelity to the best interests Of the
commonwealth and | am not disposed TO
yield the credit to the Republican party of
originating policy as bold as it is necsssa
~. 10. in the Respondent days of our infant
struggle for liberty il was justified Jetfer-
son and Jackson subsequently demonstrated
that il had their ssnc,ion. and IL ever has
had the approval OF old-iashioned democra.
cy. General Jackson suspended the liberty
of the press in New Orleans. and be kept
the entire city AM suburbs under martial
Law after the British had left the coast. lie
ar estei Judge Hall for issuing a writ of
habeNs corpus ia favor OF French subject
w~io had been seized By General Jackson's
orders; and recen, Congress Of the Uni
tad States. by its legislation. commended
that exercise of authority. Firmness and
PromptiInde, fearlessness in assuming rs.
sponsibili'y when his country was ia an
emersency were among the prominent
traits Of his character. which secured tbe
deep devotion of the democracy, and the
earnest and enthusiastic regard which was
akin to idolssry.