Litchfield enquirer., 1863-03-26
Communications.
The COpperheads and Arbitrary
 Arrests.

~ASllSltl%ItuuktuI
 The Copperheads and Arbitrary Arrests.
 10 THE EDITOR or TIE ENQUIRER = Your kindness in giving my former eommu. nication place in your columns, has embol- dened me to trsspasa once again on your in- dulgencs. while briefly examine anothe, charge made by the recent Coppsrhe.d Con- vention at Hartford against the present feder- al administration. I refer to the subject of arrests. This, like every other measure deem cd necessary and proper by the administration to aid in putting down the rebellion, was by that convention denounced as arbitrary and unconstitutional. Every measure was looked upon in strict political sense, and treated accordingly. And there may bs true genuine American patriotism in denouneing the efforts of the administration, to save our national or ganization, yet fail to see it. Such deuun- citation may be manifestation of loyalty tow ards the government it may afford evideuce
 
 to the constitutional authority of the govern mont, yet I fail to see that. But, passing by considerations like these, I come directly to the charge, that the arrests, by the administration, of persons in privity with the rebels, have been arbitrary and unco,s- stitutional directing these remarks principally to that part of the charge which alleges the arrests 10 have been unconstitutional. The charge Chat arrests are arbitrary is devoid of force, for whoever considers for moment, must at once admit, that every restraint of mans natural right to liberty, is arbitrary, yet there are certain interests of society, it's safety, peace, good order and well being, which demand that restrant upon mans pas sions and actions shall bs imposed, that he who violates these by infringing the laws, guarding, regulating and protecting society in the enjoyment of them. shall be deprived for longer or q shorter time of portion of that right.
 Mans natural riyAt to liberty is made sub servient to the great interests of society, yet who ever questioned the wisdom, CT the power or the right of a State to pass laws, and co have them enforced, simply because by SO do- ing it might be an infringement of that natural right; A man commits murder. arson or any other crime, and the law, society demands his arrest, May he plead exemption from errcst because it would be arJitrary? But 1 will not pursue this branch of the charge further, for as before remarked it is devoid of forcs
 The constitutionsllty or unconstitH.ionality of the arrests made by the administration, pre- sents a different que stion, though just as easy of demonstration. We live under one great supreme law, the law of our national organiza ton, and We draw our national life from this same great Supreme law, to wit, the eonstitu tion. Our government is divided into three departments Legislative, Executive and Ju- dical two of these, the legislative and Judicial, are under a solemn oath to support this law, while the executive is under like solemn oath to preserue, pro.cc. and d;tend tt. The objects and purposes in the adoption of this supreme law were declared to be, to "ordain and establish" g more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our'posterity." Here are the objects and purposes of our national organiza- tion grouped together. Hero we plainly see the objects and purposes to which tine actioH of the executive, the administration, the gov ernmont, was and s to be direeted. and it ia worthy of our serious consideration, that first and foremost among the objects specified, cal. Ing for the constant vigilance of each and every department ot the government. was and | is as obligation looking to AigAer degree oi national unity, the establishment of nsors perfect union. 1'hers is no obligation in the law of our national organization more impera tive upon the action of the executive tho legis- lative or the judiciary than this, be the condi- ton and circumstances of the country what they may.
 It is an obligation which clings to each ir peace ss well as war. though in war with ten times more tepacity than in peace. The Pres ident, this administration, cannot escape the discharge of this high duty, his cath will not allow the President to remain silent specta. tor and see this law violated in it's most vital and essential part The law says to him con stantly. as it does to each other department shape your acts so as to carry out, or so as to accomplish the objects of the law, one of which l is to establish more perfect union.
 1 The right of the Executive to make arrests IS to be viewed in connection with the sur rounding circumstances of the country, tht object to be accomplished, tho necessity fol the act. What would be unconstitutional a one time, to wit, in time of peace, might bs strictly constitutional at another time, to wit in time of war, the attitude of the people be ing considered in connection with the objeets and purposes of our national organization, as I Sno s,.a a1n 1~,- x1o ~Il :