Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-07-03
Speech OF Hon. Daniel s. Dickinson.

Speech Of Hon. Daniel $. Dickinson.
The copperhead politicians like their Confeder-
ate military fronds, are about to make change of
base. Renewed laughterl Liberal propositions
of peace arc to be suspended for season to make
way for free speech They tell us they are Union
men, and are for free speech They have been for
peace and for settling this terrible war; while they
know the rebel leaders will not lay down their arms
until their independence, they term it, is acknow-
edged and the Union dissolved They declare
they are for the reconstruction of the Union by
! peaceful means; yet they know il we lay down our
arms and close this war and patch up a peace. we
are at the mercy of the most hellish despotism on
earth But finding that this old idea is pretty much
played out and that they must have new one they
want something that win draw. [Appause1 You
will not hear any more about liberal propositions
of peace in long WHILE Now, it is all free
speech" A noisy, hurting braggart and gassy
traitor, named Villaindam Eroars of laughter and
appfause,l or Vallandigham, late member of Con-
gress from Ohio, who has Extensively opposed the
war and justified the rebellion from the beginning
who has been openly claimed by the rebels as their
friend; who strenuously opposed supplies for the
war; who was drummed out Of camp Of volun-
teers in his own State applause" Good for him.
he ought to be hung, "l-who in his last race for
Congressional honors, was allowed TO remain at
home by the loyal people of his district-who re-
sides near the borders of Kentucky; has been ar
partment he is [" good, land the moment he is
arrested for some alleged offence in that military
department-we don't know for what, and his adj
mirers here don't know for what-but by consent
they setu howl from Richmond TO Canada in be-
half Of" free speech!" Poor Vallandighaml ar
rested in the nighttime, and at his own house as
though he ought TO have been arrested in some
body's else! Laughter and applause. He has
been tried by court martial--he had the assistance
OF counsel and the attendance of witnesses in his
behalf. The evidence has not been published, nor
do we know what it 1t is said he was sentenc-
ed by the court to Imprisonment in Fort Warren,
but there is authority for this declaration. No
nation can exist in time of war without the war
power. You can't make a woman school of great
war. Renewed laughter. 1t does not proceed
according to statute or the code There are great
principles which civilization has established for
their guidance between civilized nations and peo-
pie, but martial law is bounded only by the discre
ton of the COMMANDMENTS Chief. 1t is, from the |
nature of the case despotc, for war is little else
Liberty of speech is one thing liberty of treason
is another The liberty of speech is sacred; but
this does not include the right to act spy and
convey intelligence to the enemy, which may des- |
troy thousands Of the lives of soldiers, endan
ger army, and leopard the existence of govern
ment Applause Swords and knives are free |
but this gives the right TO murder. Fire /
arms are free, and exempt from seizure on execu-
ton, and yet no one has right TO discharge them
employ it to destroy the dwelling of his neighbor
would be the subject of arbitrary arrest in his
g own house," if he should be found there" in the
presence of his wife and children" if he had them
And these arbitrary arrests" in criminal law are
Of daily occurrence. and in martial law of not I'M
frequent occurrence in all unexpectedly such
war Of rebellion this with spies and traitors hatch
ing treason and aiding rebellion all along the bor-
der Any lawyer who cannot discriminate between
civil law and martial law should be treated for sim
DlipitV the brain iSbOutg of 0pplonSa md (
laughter The functions of martial law, and the
authority upon which it rests were freely stated by
me last fall in speech made at the Cooper Insti-
tute It's dangerous power, but its absence would
be more dangerous. 1t is liable to abuse, but no
war can be conducted without ESPECIALLY such
war as this. Whether it was judicously exercised
in this case, and whether the paltry fellow worth
aresting do not know, and do not for all present
purposes, care. All we can inquire of is does the
power exist and if it does, was it exercised in good
faith If it was, even though General Burnside
was mistaken, he is to be encouraged for his watch
fitness and commended for his vigilance
Two great and hasty noisy meetings have been
held,-oa in New York at which Captain Rynders
and others spoke, and even the late Thomas H. Scy-
mour, of Connecticut, preached, laughter and
one at this Capital, where his Excellency Governor
Seymour administered upon the wrongs of Vallan-
1igham by letter The Governor says this arrest is
ull Of danger to our homes. Who is in danger in
his home, pray tell? No one, unless he has done
to put himself i'll danger The pious
thief and burglar Gordon of Brooklyn, who at
tended conference and prayer meetings with the
Young ladies, discovered where they kept their jew
cry and then entered their houses and robbed them
)y night, was a long time in danger in his home,
roars of laughter, and by and by the police went
n large numbers, with murlerous clubs, and in the
nighttime, too, and arbitrarily arrested him and
)ut him in prison, and the Court sent him to State
Prison for twenty years. all for stealing few trink
It's. Yet Governor Seymour says nothing. Had
lie connived with rebellion for the overthrow of the
'ny great free government on earth, and he had
'een detected and arrested it would have been "ar
,itrary" But it interfered with the .freedom of
peeeb." How? Who has objec ted to the freest
possible discussion? Freedom of speech does not
onler the right to go before an enemy, and stimu-
ate mutiny and disobedience, and recommend de-
ertion. 1t does not Justify anything which, in
line of war, is calculated and intended to weaken
he military arm of the government.
The Governor complains that the Governors of
ONE of the Western States have sunk into
1t is certainly time to be on the
ookoat hope, whatever may become of other
tates, New York may not find herself in the same
ategory. 1t is certainly humiliating position for
ne first State of the Union when the scales of our
cling as nation are yibrating-when our children
re dying by thousands in defence of the Union
} see the Chief Magistrate turn from contemplate
lg the picture with anxious solicitude to denounce
ne Government and encourage the rebellion. he
ause a rantng, foaming, frotlling, gasconadinr
aitor has been charged with an offence eopnizabie
martial law, arrested and, after full and fair
ral, convicted This is the species or support
hich Gov. Seymour, and those who are with him.
ON the beginning of the war have given to the
administration, and this he calls generous one ,
hey now propose to pause" as he tell us and If
icy will but pause" in their assaults upon the
-dmInistration-in their proclaimed sympathy with
aitors, and in their encouragement to rebellion
icy will confer favor upon the present and com
lg generations. Applause ,
The people cry pause" but it is TO those enga-
ed in assaults upon the Administration. not 10 I
lose who are striking deathblows at the rebellion.
hey cry pause" but they cry to those who rive J
ID, encouragement and comfort to the rebels The :.
'ldiers are among us here, and thev cry spause y