New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-06-16
The Presidents Policy on tho Subject OF
Arbitrary Arrests.

To the Editor Of fhN Y. Tribune
Sir: Permit me to express the hope that. 10 your
promised comments on the "srpedtenoy Of arrestng
such men he VaIandigham," you will say nothing
calculated to still further enfeeble the spirit aud res
o'uion of The President in suppressirg disloyal,y.
You will NOT, of course, knowingly say u word that
could have that tendency but every word Of censure
from loyal lip or pen Touching the arrest Of Vaan'
digham has that effect. The admirable letter Of the
President which you publish to-day, taken in con.
necton with Va.landigusms known and avowed
sympathies with the Rebellion, and his efforts TO
ALLEVIATE the people, far he ooud from the sup.
port OF the Government 10 it's war with that Rebel
on fully justify his arrest and if the friends OF the
country would come up TO the mark, and defend that
act as right and ustifable it would be all the better
for the country. The Rebellion that is upon us is
not to be put down by halfheartod men nor half
hearted measures. We are not conducting Po.
ltcal campaign, in which mere party theories and
the mere personal interests Of politicians are in.
volved. We are waging bitter and violent war
for the very existence Of the nation, and the Gov
eminent that shrinks at such time from using al,
necessary force TO rampe under foot all semi.traton
within, Ms we'll as all armed and avowed traitors
without, will surely go under and perish.
1t seems TO me TO be the sheeres. moonSruck mad
ness to advocate the propriey Of toerating free
dom of speech TO seduce citizens from their allegiance
in The midst of terrible war; aud incte tbom to
leave the Government and the country at the mercy
of the public enemy.
The virtues Of free discussion, and the confidence
tina, truth in the end will prevail all vesy well
in their way and in time of public peace and safety.
But they az mere ufts Of grass, as chat thrown
against the wind, in days of public connection, tu.
innl, and violence. La such days nothing but the
strong hand, and the iron will and wise foresight of
true statesman, can control the stormy elements,
compel ORDER aud direct the power Of society IN the
true direction.
Freedom Of speech. as used by the factious men
among us known rs Copperheads is as dangerous in
its sphere rs the freedom Of action in which the
Rebel armies are just now indulgiDg. Witness the
late socalled Democratic meetings in this city and
in Brooklyn, where cheers for JEFF. Davis and such
like seemed about as much in harmony with tue pur-
pose Of the actors Any other thing PROPOSE ion
before them. Let the Government and the leaders
Of public opinion take heed. II bad men are allowed
TO tetuce. demoralizo and debauch the popular mnd,
as the irsitorous Peace politicians doing just
now, in great communities like this city, wiere
the same material abounds that designing dema-
gogues have worked upon in all ages and IN many
city and nation 70 the woful and utter wreck OF
cie;y-if this is permitted what can we hops for
but tue same wild violence, riot, bloodshed, an
archy, and ruin among us 1t would be mcctiug at
Ill human experience, il would be blind folly
DENYING all the fac of our human nature 70 expect
OF 10 predict anything else. We can MI of Ne who
inng.e with tie masses IN pablo, see on every side
that tie unbrdeled license that has for many monhe
been given to the disoyal, has multiplied tho enc
mice OF the country, and given tenfo.d bo.Gnets
AID rAnccr to their hatred of the Government.
VIVA, tie President needs, ii anything, laud s,y
it with al personal respect and k.ndne.s IL sl!mn
aut not anoIy De-ibe spur rather thsn the istcf-
aud let not the loyal pres seek en,wne the latter
sranud al arm 10 witch we have al believed " do
,ir.ble to impsn. 10, slowners Or cauionnes,. but
Irompiitude aud vigor. lie, the pres and The
people urge upon the Administration a ooL-isieIt
and firm policy this subject. In that respect
there ia room for great Improvement. Juj cious.
uniform unhests,ir policy in the exercise Of tsse
extraordinary constitutional powers, acting every
where alike. would command an obedicpce and re-
,pec, that are no, now accorded to Inn unaccus-
toned set moet necessary and constitutional preros
alive. Let US all remember what history teaches,
that 10 government hGs ever survived that H.
season Of sectional peril could parlsy cover be-
fore d mob trail or.
TRUTH AND COURAGE.
Nae york, Jon. u.s. 1863
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