Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-03-29

no time for factlous opposition to the Admins
trasion. He did not approve Of such oppoaison.
Bat did 1t therefore follow that Representa-
i've on this aoor. charged with ths interests Of
q constituency who oon1ded in him, bad not the
right to oppose. In constitutional way, what he
considered usurpatIons Of power, and such usur-
paticns as, IL silently acquiesced In and estab-
Ilshsd, must be fatal 10 free Government
Was Mr., DRRsEL dlsloyal to the Government
because he criticised the Administration =
Here was the testimony Of Secretary SEWARD [:
In this country, especially, 1t is'a habit not
only consistent with the Constitution, but even
essential to its stability, TO regard the Admin.
istratlon al any time existing 90 dlstlnct and
separate from the Government Itself, and TO
canvass the proceedings of the one without
thought Of disloyalsy TO the other,
Il had been intimAted several times In the
course Of the discussion that the Democratic
party had not given proper support to the Ad-
ministraton In the conduct of this war. The
fact was that the Administration had lacked
neither men nor money, and that the Demo
cratic party had given their full share Of both.
Not only Mr.. DRRsrL, but the whole Demo-
cratic party, had been charged by certain rash
speakers with determination to resist law.
That charge was false. The Democratic party
would obey all law. They might differ in
many respects with the policy of the party in
power; they claimed the right to differ, but
they did not propose to resist that policy in any
other than constitutional way. So long as
their ancient and constitutional rights of free
speech, free assemblage and free ballot were
guaranteed to them, they had no fear. These
they claimed, and especially did they claim the
right of free discussion In this Representative
Assembly. Would the majority deny it2-
Here were the burning words of DANIEL WEE
sTER:
Important as l deem 1t to dscuss, on all
proper occasions, the policy of the measures al
present pursued, II is still more important tC
maintain the right Of such discussion In its fu
and Just extent. Sentiments lately sprung up
and now growing popular, render It necessary t
be explicit on this point. II is the ancient anC
constitutional right of the people to canvass
public measures and the merits Of public men
Il is household privilege fireside privilege
It has been enjoyed in every house, cottage ant
cabin in the nation. II is not to be drawn int,
controversy. Il is undoubted as.the right o
breathing the air and walking the earth. Be.
longing to private life as q right,it belongs {,
public life as duty; and it is the last dui.
those whose representative am shall find m
to abandon. This high constitutional privileg
l shall defend and exercise within this House
and in oil plAces-in time Of war, In time O
peace, and at all times. Living, will asser
il; dying, will assert IL; and should leave n
other legacy to my children, by the blessing Q
God, will leave them the inheritance Of fire.
principles aud the example CT manly, inde
pendent, and constitutional defense of them.
1 Mr.. SAYLFR's speech was listened to by
full House and a large audience Of outsider
with the most marked attention, and made
profound impression upon all who heard IL.