Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-01
The Sentence Of VaIIaudigham-A
DoabIe Rlunder.

DoHDle Htun0eTs
IL is stated that the sentence of Imprisonment
passee upon Mr. Vallandigham has. been con-
muted by the President into transportation be
vond the Federal lines This, il correct. Is 10 be
taken as a sort of concession 10 public sentiment;
but we do not see how il meDds the case OF the
Administration The arrest and trial by court
martial of this gentleman was = grievous error:
but the modification Of il in this form rs still
greater one. The grounds on which his sentence
met with such general condemnation were, not
that he did not deserve it, but that IL violated
great constitutional principle. IL his ufteraRces
were reasonable he was responsible for them to
the regularly constituted tribunals OF the country,
20 which, as a civilian, be was alone responsible.
By modifying instead Of setting aside the sen
tence passed upon him by the court martial be
fore which he WIS arbitrarily dragged the Gov
ernment has onlv aggravated lis fault. a
If il has right to commute punishment il
had right 10 nfct it, which, is the point IN dis
pute The great majority Of those who have
made their remonstrances heard against such
bitrary assumptions care nothing for Fallaudig
ham, but they do care for the great constitutional
principles involved in his case. They bad looked
for their prompt recognition by the Adminisfra-
tiou IN its disavowal Of the acts of General Burt
side. Instead OF. that they find the tyrannicsl
privileges assumed by him reafirmed BY variz-
ton of the sentence which leaves its principle
touched, and which violates just as eiaringly the
constitutional rights Of the citizen. This. we're
peat is an aggraystion instead of a paliiation OF
the blunder already committed, and viii tend 70
multiply the difficulties by which the Admins
tration Is already bcset.-IN. Y Her"id-'
Joseph story, L. .. D., an Peace and
- war. in it's best estate. never fails to impose
upon the people the most burdensome taxes and
personal suffcrings II is always injurious to,
and sometimes subversive Of. the great CONNER
cial, manufacturing and agricultural interests.
Nay. railways involves the prosperity, and not
unfreouently the existence. of nation. IL is
sometimes fatal to public liberty itself. BY intro
ducing spirit Of military glory, which Is ready
10 follow whenever q successful commander viii
lead. and IN Republic. whose institutions are
essentially founded on the basis Of Peace, there
is infinite danger that war will find Il both i'm
beetle in defense and eager for contest Indeed
the history of Republics has bet too fatally
proved that they are too ambitious OF military
fame and conquest, and too easily devoted TO the
views of demagogues, who hatter Their pr,oe ana
betray their interests. IL should, therefore, De
difficult IN a Republic 10 declare war, but not TO
make peace.
Justice Story was neys suspected OF too great
ssmnathy with the people, yet confessediy one OF
the ablest and most upright of the Judges OF the
Supreme Court or the United States. When
commenting upon the power 10 declare war, con-
tanned IN the Constitution. surrounded by pro
found peace he deliberately recorded as above
what an history proves Will such vital truths
vital TO all we prize as free people--arest at
tentionf Or. have two years Of slaughter, shod
DIV and shinplssters. fatally ensisved us to the
aInbitioss schemes Of demsgogues. who Halter
our priie. and betray our interestsf ls tntre
no possibility OF arousing the North. East. and
West. 10 a reccllestion Of their constitutional
rights. and a determination 90 mantain themf
with an our vauntsd intelligence and devotion
20 popular government, il does seem as IL liberty
had left ne to believe in lies
From the present aspect OF Affairs, there e ht
;dent viii ever be permitted, until by blood aud
slaughter. throughout our land, popular rights
are recovered 81 l -. ~
May God. N mercy. temper our snlicsions N
the impending future. CONSTITUTION