Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-06-17

for no other reason than words addressed |
10 a public meeting in criticism Of the |
course Of the Administration, and in con-
dennation Of the military orders Of the
General. Now, if there be no mistake
about this, and this assertion is the truth
and the whole truth, If there was no other
reason for the arrest, then concede that
the arrest was wrong; but the arrest ss
understand, was made for very different
reason. Mr.. Vallandigham avoWs his hos
tility to the war on the part Of the Union
and his arrest was made because he was
laboring, with some effect, to prevent the
raising Of troops to encourage deserhons
from the army, and to leave the rebellion
without an adequate military force to sup
press if. r.EfA 1-.
"He was not arrested because he was
damaging the political prospects Of the
Administration, or the personal interests
of the commanding General, but because
he was damaging the army, upon the ex-
istence and vigor of which the life Of the
nation depends. He was warning upon
the military constitutional jurisdiction 10
lay hands upon him. If Mr.. Vallandig-
ham was not damaging the military power
Of the country, then his arrest was made
on a mistake of fact which would be glad
to correct, on reasonable, satisfactory evil
denee. as A-H ' fet
III understand the meeting, whose res
olutions am considering, te be in favor
Of suppressing the rebellion by military
force-by armies. Long experience has
shown that armies can not be maintained,
unless desertion shall be punished by the
severe penalty of death. The case re-
quires, and the law and the Constitution
sanction this punishment. Must shoot
a simple-minded soldier bog, who deserts,
while must not touch the hairO willy
agitator, who induces him to desert ?
This is none the less injurious when
effected by getting a father, or brother, or
friend, into & public meeting, and there
working upon his feelings till he is per-
suaded to write the soldier boy that he is
fighting in bad cause, for a wicked Ad-
miuistratiOn of a contemplate Govern
ment, too weak to punish him if he shall
desert. think that in such case, to ST.
lence the sgitstor and save the boy, is not
only constitutional, but withal a great
mercy" 'l.i
After reviewing the suspension of the
writ of habeas corpus, by General jack
son the President says And yet let me
say, that in my own discretion I do not
know whether would have ordered the
arrest Of Mr. Vallandigham While I can
not shift the responsibility from myself,
1 hold that, as a general ruie, the Com
mander in the field is the better judge Of
the necessity in any particular case. OF
course must practice a general directory
and revisory power in the matter.
"0ne of the resolutions expresses the
opinion of the meeting that arbitrary
arrests will have the effect to di-
vide and distract those who should be
united in suppressing the rebellion, and
am specially called on to discharge Mr..
Vsllsndigham. regard this act as a fair
appeal to me on the expediency of exer-
cising a constitutional power which
think exists. In response to such appeal,
I have to say it gave me pain when
learned that Mr.. Vallandigham had been
arrested that is, I was panied that there
should have seemed to be a necessity for
arresting him, and that it will afford me
great pleasure 10 discharge him so soon as
I can, by any means believe the public
safety will not suffer by it."