New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-18
Gov. seymour's Letter u the vaiinndI CHAM
Meeting.


ALBANY, May II, 1863
The following is the letter OF Gov. Seymour 10 the
Vsllsndighsm meeting last night;
E1TcuTIvB DEPAK1NRsT. May &C. 1863
] cannot attend the meeting "a. the Capitol this
evening but | wish 10 state my opinion in regard q
the arrest OF Mr. Vallsndi2ham. 1t is an act which
las brought dishonor upon our country. 1t is full
Of danger 10 our persons and our homes 1t bears
npon ltd front conscious violation OF law aud jas
lice.
Acting upon the evidence Of detailed informers,
shrinking from the light of day, in the darkness Of
night armed men violated the home OF al American
citizen and fGrtyely bore him away 10 military
trial, conducted without those safeguards known ia
tho proceedings Of our judicial tribunals. The
transacOn involved series Of oilslses a. sinst our
most sacred rights.
IL iGterierred with the freedom Of speech; il VIC.
lated ri his 10 be secure In our homes against
unreasonable searches aud seizuree il ell
sentence without trial, save one which was mock
cry, which insulted as well as wronged. The per.
petTa.Ofs now seek 10 impose punIshmeui not for an
ohense against law but for tie disregard o.
an invalid order, put forth 10 the utter
disregard o. the principles Of civil liberty.
II this proceeding If approved by the Government,
aud sanctioned ny the people II Is not merely step
toward revolution; II - revolution; il will ouly
lead 20 military dcspOti.n-it establishes military
despotisn. ia this inspect IL must be- accepted 10
thh ASPECT rejected. Ii 1t is upheld our liberties
Ovefthrowu; tho safety Of persons; security
Of our properly aill hereafter depend upon q ar.
bitrsry will a. such military rulers may be placed
over 10, while Constitutional guafaItsSs viii 10
broken down.
Even now the Governors and Courts Of soine Of
the great Wsrtern States have sunk into iIsiynih-
canoe before the despOtic powers claimed aud o1er
csed by military men who have been sent into their
borders. IL II fearful thing to increase the danger
which now overhangs IA by treating toe law, too
JUDICIARY and tne STATE authoIitIcs with contempt
Tie YeOple Of this country row Wali with the
deepest anxiety the decisions Of the Administration
Lpon these Sets. Having given II II generous cup
port u the conduct Of the waT, pause 10 Zee what
kind q Government II j. for which we are asked to
pour ont or blood and our treasures.
Tao action OF the Administration viii determine
il. the minds Of more than one-hai OF the p-ol c ol
The loyal States whether tho war is waged 10 put
down Rebellion at tie South, or destroy ireo ila.l-
i1uOns 40 tue North. We lock for iis decision With
most solemn sOidtude. HoEA1Io SElsocR.
The res, lions adopted claim that tie Demo
Gratis have devoted dung the Two years Of civil
war. and express q determination 10 devote then
elefges % the cause Of the Union; denOunce tie
assumption Of military power IN the arrest Of Mr.
Vallandis ham, and assert the right OF free disens
sion,
The say that ia the election Of Dir. Seymour the
peope condemned the system Of arbitrary Arrests
aud call upon the President 10 restore Mr. Vallan-
digham to liberty. They direct "A copy Of this reso
lutiOns 10 be ,ent 10 the President, with the
anco Of the desire Of the meeting TO support th'
Government in every constitutional and Lawful
measure 70 suppress the rebellion.