Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-01-08
GOV. sEYMOUR's MESSAGE.

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Governor Seymour's message is quite lengthy,
that part referring to National affairs occupying
four ordinary newspaper columns He says New
York has sent since the outbreak Of the war two
hundred and twenty thousand soldiers to the
field. Speaking OF the causes OF the war he says,
affnghted at the ruin they have wrought, the au-
thors Of our calamities North and South insist
that this war was caused by unavoidable contest
about slavery. This has been the subject, not
the cause Of the controversy. We are to look
for the causes of this war IN q prevailing disre-
gard Of the obligations Of the laws and cOnsttu-
ton, disTespect for the constituted authorities,
and above all, in the local prejudices which have
grown up IN two portions Of the Atlantic States.
When the leaders Of the insurrectIon at the ex-
treme South say free and slave States cannot ex-
st together in the Union, and when this is echoed
from the extreme North by the enemies Of our
Constitution, both parties simply say they cannot
because they will not, respect the laws and the
Constitution.
This spirit of disloyalty must be put down. 1t
is inconsistent with all socizl order and social Sc
curity, with safety Of persons and property. This
rsho Id have been averted, butwhen its food
gates were opened, the Administration could not
grasp its dimensions nor control its sweep. The
Government was carried along by the current
and struggled it best could with the resIstiess
tide. Few seemed able to comprehend its mill
itary or financial problems. Hence we are not
to sit in harsh judgment upon errors in conduct
or policy.
LIMITATIONS OF POWER.
There are not only obligations resting
upon our people toward our authorities,
tations between the departments Of the Govern
ment and between the State and National Gov
ernments which must be observed to secure the
public safety. The legislative, executive and ju
dicial departments are coordinate. It Is equal
ly reasonable to resist the rightful authority Of
either. To overthrow the power Of either de-
partment is revolutionary While the War De-
partment sets aside the authority ofthe Judiciary
and overrides the laws Of States, the Governors
of5tates meet to shape the policy ofthe General
Government. The national legislature appoints
Nof
duct of the war and Senators combine to dictate
the executive choice Of constitutional advisers.
| The natural results Of meddling and intrigue
| have followed. While our armies have gained
victories in fields remote from the capital, with
in its influence the heroic yalor of our soldiers
! and the skill Of our Generals are thwarted and
paralyzed.
Not only must the national Constitution be held
involate but the rights Of States must be respect
| ed as not less sacred. There are differences Of
opinion as to the dividing lines between State and
| National jurisdiction, but there can be none as
/ to the existence of such separate Jurisdiction,
| covering subjects of legislation and jurispru-
| welfare. consolidated government in this
/ vast country would destroy the essential home
/ rights and liberties Of the people. The sover-
| eighty Of the States except as they are limited
| by the Constitution, can never be given up.
| Without them our Government cannot stand.
It.was made and itcan be changed by State agen-
Governor Seymour quotes the Constitution in
support Of this and says which Stats esa thus
I vernment can N no way touch on the rights OF
the States or invade their jurisdiction.
He then devotes considerable space TO the
subject of arbitrary arrests, and says that the
| subject presents body of tyranny that cannot
be enlarged; also that the suppression Of jour
nails and imprisonment OF persons have been
qlaringly partisan that the attempt has been
made to shield these violations Of law, and sup
press inquiry, but this attempt will fail. Il is a
high crime to abduct citizen Of this State. IL
| is made my duty by the Constitution to see the
laws enforced. / shall investigate every alleged
violation Of our statutes, and see that offenders
| are brought to justice. Against these wrongs
land outrages the people Of the State Of New York
at its late election solemnly protested
MARTIAL LAW.
The claim of power under martial law is not
only destructive to the rights Of States, but over
throws the Legislative and judicial departments o.
the general government. It asserts for the Pres
, ident more powers as the head OF the army thar
| as a representativs ruler of the people This
/ claim has brought dscredit upon US IN the eyes
of the world. 1t has strengthened the hopes o
the rebellion, weakened the CONFIDENCE OF the
loval States, tends to destroy the value OF oul
government in the minds OF our people and Leads
, e discord and discomfort at the North, while Il
has united and inYigorated the South
Marital law defines itself to be a law where wal
| is hut this new and strange doctrine holds tha
/; the elovul North lost their constitutional rights
= when the South rebelled, and all are now gov
erned by military dictatiOn. Loyalty y thus les
. | Sacnra fhan rebellion for it stands without thu
means to resist outrages or to resent tyranny
: Amidst all the horrors that have been snaeteS
under martial law in the history OF the world
and amidst all the Qualifications attempted Of T.
usages, it was never before held that It could b
\ extended over peaceful States; it was never be
: fore claimed that the power OF military com
I, nnander was superior to the powers OF Govern
3 ment.
9 The measure of power to be exercised unde
our Government, is fixed by the Constitution
To make the rnaxims Of other Governments
or the usages Of other nations, the rule her
would give sanction TO every outrage tyrann
and wrong. 1t would undo what was done D
our fathers who formed our Government.
After enlarging on this subject, Governor Sey
I mOur then says:
1 The President holds his place not by the wi
Of the majority, but by virtue Of the provision
of the Conatitution, which placed himin bis Q