American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-10-10
HABEAS CORPUS.

AfN'iNt % W. NttA ~ = AAt'tt t"rt- - 'fit
barrier ia our Consultation move antagouistic
20 tyranny than another that privilege and
that barrier is the writ Of kaLsss corpus
From the dag when the English people
forced it from their rulers-from the days Of
Charles II, up to the present time-the right
to the writ Of habess corpus has been cherish.
ed as the bulvsrk Of their liberties, and sought
to be destroyed by despots alone.
Abraham /. finding this grea, safeguard Of
the Constitution Of the United States in his
way, made haste to get his suppliant tools in
the last Congress st Washington TO grant him
the power to suspend the same, The plea Of
military necessity "a plea rpon which all
usurpations ar, now based). in order as they
said, to crush the rebellionp was urged as
sufficient cause to grant the power desired.
Cautious and wary at first in the exercise of
his power, lest the public fear should become
aroused aud the hideous demon destined to
destroy civil liberty should be exposed, like
the tabled vampire when extracting the very
LIES blood from It's unfortunate subject, is
said to soothe by the gentle movement Of it's
wings, and produce bright and blissful elisian
dreams-so he. at first, soothed the deluded
public by honeyed words and soft, deceptive
promises of constitutional rights. But now,
how things ale changed. The people Of the
old republic, particularly in the Northwestern
portion, have been aroused to their danger
The vampire wings cease to cheat the victim
into fancied security, and he dreams no more
of heaven. The people are aroused, possibly
Though We hope mott too late to prevent the
chief corner stone from being rudely torn from
the foundation. OF the temple of liberty. Some.
thing must be done--th elections are coming
off soon, and if the sentiments proclaimed by
Vallandigham prevail the administration
Of Abraham Lincoln goes down in gnominy
and disgrace.
! Under these circumstances We perceive that
the great writ Of habcAs corpus has been sus.
pended, and a general supervision of the press
/ inauEuratad. It's bold and desperate game
now being played by the Washington consPi-
rators--it is success or eternal disgrace. II
they fail they will sink so low in the bottom
les pit Of inramy that nought save the awak.
ening blast from Gabriel, trumpet will ever
/ reach their benighted ears. If they succeed
/ farewell 70 all civil liberty in the old republic
/ Ilium fuit" will be written upon the door
posts Of her temples soon her columns and
affairs Will monder into dust, and one wild
reign of terror and oppression sweep like the
simeom with it, desolating breath athwar
that once happy country.
Whilst viewing the probable destruction
that threatens the old republic, is there not
mu>h--very much--food for reflection present
ed to the young confederacy
Experience, it is admitted by historians ant
philosophers, is the best and most profitable
teacher is there 40 danger that We, in ri
ungualded moment, may let slip tins sacrcC
rght2 Are our rulers SO pure that their spot
less hands would not seize upon and crush t
stoms privilege so essential to liberty ant
happiness ? Are our military commanders
when surrounded Nv ali the "pomp and cir
cumstanoe of war" sufficiently alive to tn
civil rights of individuals and the great dan
yer Of taking tbs first step towards deslroyin!
nose rjghte ? These are questions the no,
momeutous that lave ever been presented lo
the consideration of any people, and upon tn
proper decision of which stands or falls al
that We mold Gear or sacred in life.
Let no plea, no excuse. however apparent,
good, ever induce us to surrender for one sin
gle moment, this greatest guaranty for person
al and political safety and let each citizen o
officer think, speak sud act with iron frmnes
in regard to its preservation.