Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-08-26
A NEW POLITICAL CREED.

certain proceedings are nnconstitu
, tional, when in cases of rebellion or inva
sion the public safety requires them, which
would not be constitutional in the absence
Of rebellion or invasion. ~ President Lin
cola's reply 10 tie A5any Democratic Com
mafee's resolutions.
These are the doctrines that the Repub-
, licans are promulgating, startling as they
are 10 all patriots, men who desire to see
our free institutions perpetuated, uncon-
taminated with the dogmas and the here.
sizes Of the political fanatics of the day.
+, Most of us, consequently, have grown
up in the belief that our Constitution was
valid in both peace and war; but it ap
pears that we were mistaken. Ii would
now be necessary TO make one more
amendment TO that compact, by adding
the following:
This instrument shall be null and void in
time Of war"
Thus we should have Constitution
which would be satisfactory to modern
Republicans, In cases Of rebellion or other
wars, provided that party be in power at
the time of such war. If, however, the
Democratic party should happen 10 be at
the helm of State at such a time, the case
would be quite different; for, suppose that
the war policy" OF such Democratic Adj
ministration did not happen TO please the
tastes of such men as Lincoln, Sumner,
Greedy, Phillips, q CO., they would oppose
| it, of course; and then they would be
arrested for Implied treason" and sent
SOUTH" or to some other bad country.
| Now, ask the reader if he believes
that the men who nov advance this absurd
and dangerous doctrne-the abrogation
of all our civil and political rights, in
! time of war would rot denounce it in
the most vehement terms, if their lips
were TO be sealed by il? We all know
they would. Now they call it treason to
oppose the policy of the President; but
they denounced President Buchanan,
calling him everything bad that the
Erglisn language is susceptible f." trail
tor" " imbecile," ought to he hung"
&C., &c, which then was perfectly right
and proper, and would have been the
same. in their opinion, if we had been
embroled in a domestic or foreign war.
How was it during the late war with
Mexico? These same men denounced
that war as "uncalled for, y" cruel" :" in
human," &C., to the end of the catalogue
of epithets, and. the existing Administia-
ton did not question their right TO do SO
nor did any sane man consider that they
were committing treason.
" Our personal liberty always abridged in time
of war"
No, Mr. Greedy, it is not, and should
not be abridged. Are we to close our lips
and be silent on the merits ofawarH No,
sir, never while we live in free country.
Are we not to be allowed our opinion
on the manner of conducting war;
Shall we be denied the right TO criticise
the acts of officers OF the army, and gov
ernment officials? These are rights that
never before have been denied to the
American people; and he who would
trample down these rights, under the plea
of military necessity" is despot.
If, indeed, the Constitution may be
trampled under foot In time of war, ex-
cept where hositilties exist, then our
boasLod liberties are a sham, a mockery
not worth preserving.
If Ne. Lincoln can rightly arrest Mr..
Vallandigham, as be claims he can vi der
the Constitution, and immure him in
prison, or bauish him to the Confederate
States, he can also arrest every man who
differs in opinion with the Republican
party on the mere manner OF carrying ou
the war, aud the measures taken TO in
duce the South TO return into the Union.
ls the Administration iniallible, that
its war policy cannot te criticised Does
it make no mistakes Are its military
generals perfect in the art of war; Are
its civil officials, and the army contractors
t.lc - la
reply sickens the hearts of the true lovers
of the Uuioh.
1t is true, that where hostilities exist
where the eXigencies Of the case require
sudden and prompt measures for defense,
attack, or for the public safety, martial
Law may properly exist but there is no
instance in the history of civilized nations,
except in free America, where the mere
wills Of military generals have been the
law, in States aud Provinces loyal to the
Government, and wholly undisturbed by
the existing war.
Martial law, such as General Burnside
has inaugurated, is no law at all. II is
simply the ipSc DIRT OF despot. Mr..
Nallandlgham' sentiments offend me. =
Take hle of soldiers and arrest him.
g don't like the tone ol the Chicago Times
the Times is hereby suppressed" This
man is opposed to the Emancipation pol
icy of the Government oil with
him to prison" THAT man criticises
our army officers; he has committed im-
plied treason Lock him up"
This, reader, is but poor specimen OF
the acts OF tyranny that would exist at
our doors, if the Presidents doctrine, at
the head of this article, were fully car
ried out. He contends that he has the
right 70 arrest citizens who have violated
no law, mot 70 much" says he, 'for what
has been done, as for what probably would
be done!" This wise exposition of execu-
tive rights comes from the man who as
tonished the world with the declaration,
" IL is easier to pay nothing :han it is TO
pay something; and it is easier TO pay
small sum than it is large sum !"
This is a remarkable age Of progress"
and history will award 10 Mr.. Lincoln the
immortal honor of having discovered that
the Constitution of the United States gives
tha President the right 10 arrest ifnnrlson