The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-06-05
GOV. saxmonr,s Letter.

WV Soy LlOuE ACtbCHe
The following is letter Of Governor
Seymour to the Vallsndigham meeting
at Albany, N. Y:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, May l6.
can not attend the meeting at the
Capitol this evening, but I wish to state
my opinion in regard to the arrest of Mr..
Vallandigham. 1t is an act which has
brought dishonor upon our country. 1t
is Of danger to our persons and our
homes. 1t bears upon its front con-
scious violation OF law and justice. Act.
ing upon the evidence of detailed in
formers, shrinking from the light OF day,
in the darkness of night, armed men Vio-
lated the house of an American citizen,
and furtively bore him away to the mill
tary trial, Conducted without those safe
guards known to the proceedings of our
judicial tribunals. The transaction in.
Volved series of offenses against our
most sacred rights. 1t interfered with
the freedom Of speech, it molested our
rights to be secure in our homes against
unreasonable searches and seizures; it
pronounced sentence without trial, save
one which was q mockery, which insulted
as we'll as wronged. The perpetrators
now seek to impose punishment, not for
an offense against law, but for the diSre-
gard of an invalid order, put forth in the
utter disregard Of the principles of civil
liberty. If this proceeding is approved
by the Government, and sustained by the
people, it is not merely step toward
revolution-it is revolution; it will not
only lead to military despotiSm-it eS.
tablishes military despotism. In this
aspect it must be accepted or in this as
pect rejected. If 1t is upheld our liber-
ties are overthrow, the safety of our
persons, security of our property will
hereafter depend rpon the arbitrary will
of such military rIlers as may be placed
over US, while our constitutional guaran.
tees will be broRn down, Even now
the Governors ant courts of some of the
great Western States have sunk into in.
significance before the despotic powers
claimed and exercised by military men
who have been sent into their borders.
tits fearful thing to increase the dan.
ger which now veraangs us by treating
the law, the Judiciary, and the State
Authorities with contempt. The people
of this country row wait with the deep.
est anxiety the decisions Of the Admin
istration upon tese acts. Having given
it generous support in the conduct Of
the war, we pause to see what kind of
Government il is for which we are asked
to pour out oar blood and our treasures.
The action of the Administration will
determine IN the minds of more than
one-half Of the people of the loyal
States whether this war is waged to put
down rebellion at the South or destroy
free institutions at the North. We look
for its decision with most solemn solici.
tude.
(Sigped,) HoRAno SEYMOUR.
The resolutions adopted point to the
devotion shown by Democrats during the
two years of civil war, and express de-
termination to devote their energies to
the cause of the Union; denounce the
assumption of military power in the ar
rest of Mr.. Vallandigham; assert the
right of free discussion. They say that
in the election of Mr.. Seymour the peo'
pie condemned the system of arbitrary
arrests, and call upon the President tc
res;,;s,re MIR. Vallandigham to liberty
They direct scpyy OF + tie tie resolutions tf
be sent to the President, with the assn
rance of the desire of the meeting tc
support the Government in every con.
sttutional and lawful measure to sup.
press the rebellion st. Clairsville Ga,
zette.