The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-01-08

New York has sent, since the outbreak
of the war, 225 900 soldiers to the field.
Speaking of the causes of the war he
says, affrighted at the ruin they have
wrought, the authors of the calamity,
both North and South, insist that this
war was caused by an unavoidable con-
test abont slavery.
This has been the subject, not the
cause, of the controversy.
We are to look for the causes of this
war in a prevailing disregard of the OBJ
legations of laws and constitutions, disre-
spect for cons tituted authorities, and
above all, in the local rrejudices which
have grown up in the two portions of the
Atlantic States. When the leaders of
the insurrection at the extreme South
say free and slave States cannot exist
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 consti-
tuiiou. This spirit Of disloyalty must be
put down.
1t is inconsistent with all order and
social security with safety of persons
and property
This war should have been averted,
but when its flood gates are OPP ned the
administration could not grasp its di-
meDsions or control It's sweep. Gov
eminent was borne along by the current
and struggled as it best could, with the
resstless tide. Few seemed able to
comprehend its military or financial
problems, hence we are not to sit in
harsh judgment or errors. in conduct or
policy.
There are not only obligations resting
on our people towards our authorities,
but under our political system there are
relations between the departments of the
Government. and between the State gov
ernments which must be observed to pre-
serve the public safety.
The Legislative, Executive and Judi
cial Departments are coordinate
Ii is equally treasohable to resist the
rightful authority of either To overthrow
the power of either Department is revo-
/ luton.
While the War Department sets aside
the authority of the Judiciary and oyer
rides the laws of States, the Governors
of States need to shape the policy of the
General Government.
The national legislature appoints COM
mittees to interfere with the military con-
duct of the war, and Senators combine
to dictate to the Executive the choice of
constitutional advisers. The natural
results of meddling and intriguing had
followed.
While our armies have gained victo-
ries in fields remote from the capital,
within its influence the heroic valor of
our soldiers and the skill of our Gener-
ais are thwarted and paralyzed
Why must the national constitution be
held inviolate, but the rights of States
not be respected as not less sacred
The are differences of opinion as to
the dividing line between State and ma
tional jurisdiction, but there can be none
as to the existence of such separate iu-
risdictions, each conveying the subject of
legislature, and jurisprudence essential
to the security of the public welfare
eonSolldatfd PIE n6t
rights and liberties OF the people.
The sovereignties ofthe States, except
as they are limited by the constitution,
can never be given up. Without them
/ the government cannot stand 1t was
made and it cal be changed by State
| agency.
| Gov Seymour quotes the constitution
/ in support of this, and says while States
can take away or add to their power the
! General Government can in no way
] touch one right Of the States or invade
their jurisdiction.
/ He then devotes considerable space to
the subject, and presents an array Of ty-
ranny that can not be enlarged. Also,
that the suppression of journals and the
/ imprisonments of persons nave been
glaringly partisan; that the attempt has
beeu made to shield these violations Of
law and suppress inquiry But this at
tempt will fail 1t is a high crime to ab-
duet a citizen of this State. 1t is made
ny duty by the constitution to see the
law enforced | shall investigate every
alleged violation of our statute, and see
that offenders are brought to justice
Against these wrongs and outrages
the people of the State Of New York, at
its election, solernnly protested.
The claim of power under martial law
is not only destructive of the right of
States, but overthrows the legislative and
judicial departments of the General Gov
/ eminent.
1t asserts for the President more power
as the head of the army than as the rep
resentative ruler of the people This
claim has brought discredit upon us in
the eyes Of the world.
1t has strengthened the hopes of the
rebellion and weakened the confidence
of loyal States and tends to destroy the
value Of our Government in the minds OF
the people, and leads to discord and dis
content at the North while it has united
and. invigorated the South 20 -. ,--- =.
Martial law defines 1tseH to be law
where war is, but this pew and strange
doctrine holds that the loyal North los
their constitutional rights when the
South rebelIed, and all are now gov
cred BY military dictation. Loyalty i
, thus less secure than rebellion, for i
q stands without means to resist outrage
or to resent tyranny.
Amidst all the horrors that have beef
= enacted under martial law in the histor,
OF the world, and amidst all the just
q fications attempted of its usages. 1t wa
never before held that it could be eS
= tended over peaceful States.
= 1t was never before claimed that tn