The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-01-14

mour, is second in importance only to the
Message Of the chief executive Of the nation,
and as such attracts at the present time
large share Of public attention. OF course
our columns will not permit the insertion
of the whole document. and we therefore
present the following condensation of that
portion Of it which refers to national affairs:
The state Of New York has sent 20, 900
men to the war.
Slavery is tho subject, not the cause Of
the war. The cause may be fountfin
prevailing disagreement Of the obligations
of laws and constitutions disrespect FOR
the constituted authorities and local preju-
dices between two portions Of the Atlantic
states. lt
The spirit Of dsloyalty must be put down.
There are not only obligations resting
upon our people towards our authorities,
but under our political system there are
limitations between the departments and
between State and National Governments
which must be observed to secure the
public safety. The Legislative, executive
and judicial departments are CO. ordinate
and Il is equally treasonable to resist the
rightful authority Of either. To overthrow
the power of either department is revolu.
ton. While the War Department sets
aside tho authority of tn. judiciary and
overrides the laws Of states, the governors
of states meet to shape the policy Of the
general government the national legisla.
turc appoints committees to interfere with
the military conduct Of the war, and scna.
tors combine to dictate the executive Of
constitutional rights. The natural results
Of medaling and interfering have followed.
While our armies have gained victories in
fields remote from the Capitol, within its
influence the heroic valor Of our soldiers
and the skill Of our generals are thwarted
and paralyzed. "..'ft-.' ~. "
Not only must the national constitution
be held inviolate, but the rights Of states
must be respected as not less sacred
There are differences Of opinion as to tbs
dividing line between state and national
Jurisdictions, but there can be none as to
the existence Of such separate Jurisdictions,
each covering its own subjects Of legisla-
ton and jurisprudence, are essential to the
public security and welfare. A consoli-
dated government in this country would
destroy the essential home rights and lib.
critics OF the people. The sovercignties of
the States, except as they are limited by
the constitution, can never be given up
| Without them our government cannot
stand. 1t was made and it can be changed
by State agency. Gov. Seymour quotes
the constitution in support Of this, and says
while States can thus take away or add to
its power, tho general government can in
no way touch one rightsof the States or n.
wade their jurisdiction. .te-... ..
lie then devotes considerable space to the
subject Of arbitrary arrests and says that
the suppression Of public journals and the
imprisonment Of persons has been glaringly
partizar, that the attempt has been made to
shield these violations Of law and suppress
inquiry, but this attempt will FAIL 1t is a
high crime to abduct citizen Of this state.
tits made. my duty b. the constitution
to see the laws enforced Il Shall irvcsti
gate every alleged violation of our statutes
and ste thato:fenders are brought to justice.
Against these wrongs and outrages the
people Of the state Of New York, At its late
election, solcmnly protested. ...
The claim Of power under martial law is
not only the destruction OF the right Of the
States, but overthrows tn. legislative and
judicial departments Of the general govern.
ment. 1t asserts for the President more
power as head Of the army, than as the
representative ruler Of the people. This
claim has brought discredit upon us in the
eyes of the world. 1t has strengthened
hopes Of the rebellion, weakened The conf
dcncc of loyal States and tends to destroy
4 the value of our government in the minds
Of our people, leads to discord and discon.
tent at the North, while it has united and
invigoratcd tie South. f
Martial law defines itself to be a law
where war is, but this new and strange
doctrine holds that the loyal North lost
their constitutional rights when the South
Iebelcd, and all are now governed by mil
itary dictation. Loyalty is thus less Sc
cure than rebellion, for it stands without
tyranny. dA b /. 81 Ata1. S..---..
Amidst all the horrors that have been
enacted under martial law in the history
Of the world, and amidst all the just'fica-
tons attempted Of its usages, it was never
before held that it could be extended over
peaceful states. 1t was never before claim.
cd that the power of military commander
was superior to the power of the govern
ment. ..
The measure Of power to be exercised
under our government is fixed by the con-
stitution. To make the maxims Of other
governments or the uSages Of other nations
tn. rules here, would give sanction to every
outrage Of tyranny and wrong. 1t would
undo what was done by our fathers who
formed our government.
Theconditionof our country is not hopeless.
1t is made so by passions and prejudices
which are Inconsistent with the govern.
ment of great country. We must accept
the condition Of affairs as they stand. At
this moment the fortunes of our country
are Influenced by the results Of battle.
Our armies in the field must be support.
ed. All constitutional demands of the
General Government must be promptly res.
ponded to. We will put forth every cxer-
ton of power, We will use every policy of
Cancellation, We will hold out every induce
ment to the people Of the South to return
to their allegiance consistent with honor,
We will guarantee them every right, every
consideration demanded by the constitution
and that fratcrnal regard which must pre-
| vail in a common country. r..
If Presidential proclamations are above
| the decisions of the courts and the restraints
Of the Constitution, then that Constitution
| is a mockery. II it has not the authority
| to keep its executive within its restraints,
then it cannot retain states within the Union
Those who hold that there is no sancity
in the Constitution must equally hold that
there is no guilt in the rebellion. Tie
President has already signed an act ofCon
gress which asserts that the slaves Of those
in rebellion are confiscated. The sole effect
Of this proclamation, therefore, is to declare
the emancipation Of the slaves of those who
are not in rebellion, and who are therefore
loyal citizens. #ia"
1t is an, extraordinary deduction from
the alleged war power, that the forfeiture
Of the right of loyal citizens. and bringing