New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-08-19
TEE GOVERNORS PROCLAMATION.

TEE GOVERNORS PROCLAMATION.
We publish this morning the Proclamation OF
Coy. Seymour, who has received information
that the draft is about to be made in the cities
of Ncw-York and Brooklyn" and who "under-
stands that there is danger Of disorderly and
riotous attacks upon those who are engaged IN
executing the Law Of Congress" He, how
ever, cannot believe that any number OF cltl-
zens are disposed to renew the shameful and sad
scenes of the past month" 1t is because OF this
disbelief, we presume, that his Excellency did
not think it necessary to issue his proclamation
in season to reach those to whom it is addressed.
For if there really is any danger of riot to-day,
those proposing to engage in it will hardly
have the time or the inclination to look
over the morning papers to see il at this late
moment Gov Seymour has any advice to offer
in relation to the subject.
We have no disposition to be hypercritical
upon any proceeding Of the Governor; on the
contrary we should rejoice to see him rise to the
dignity of his position and the exigencies OF the
times. But it is impossible to overlook the dis
en- the conviction which has been so asSiduously
cherished by him and his organs that the Draft
is unconstitutional and oppressive, and that the
Government is responsible for the want
of a judicial decision upon the Law.
Assuming that such is the character
of the law, and that the Government have
neglected to act "wisely and humanely by re-
lerring the question Of constltulonality 10 the
judicial tribunals, he then appeals to the rioters
"to abstain from all illegal acts" because there
are ample remedies for wrongs committed
either by rniers or citizens" and punishment for
offenders, whether in pntiic or in private life "
while rights" may be "calmly and reso-
utely " claimed without illegal violence A
proclamation to rioters is surely no place for
abstract propositions, and the only purpose that
can possibly be served by dragging them in here's
TO deepen the popular impression with men OF
certain class that they are most Illegally and
cruelty dealt with. Gov. Seymour has crowned
his many bundcrs Of the past month by thus
throwing away his last chance, in this crisis, OF
acting the part of a dignifed and right-minded
Chief Magistrate in preference to that OF an I'M
scrupuous partizan. And if it has been unwise
and inhuman not To have brought the question
of the constituiionality of the law before the
Courts for decision, pray whose fault Is IL
The President, at Washington, has no doubt
upon the subject. l. i, his duty TO question the
legality Of an act which he made law by
atIi1ing 10 il his signa,urc' Let those who doubt
It's consttutionality test il. They have had
ample time, and could easily have made the
opportunity. II there has been want Of wisdom
aud want Of humanity in failing TO do so, the
responsibility is theirs and not his. To 50 at
temp, Ia blind the eyes of the unthinking and
arouse the passions Of the reckless Is the art OF
the dcmagoguc, not the act of yirtuous
magistrate.
/ The rioters, however. have been already duly
warned 10 keep the peace by the address and
the preparations of Gen. Dix. The proclama-
ton of the Governor, which, otherwise, prob
ably. they would not have read at ALL they can
now read at their leisure, only to learn from IT,,
what DO doubt it was intended 10 teach them,
that they have escaped danger by submitting
20 a wrong which must in some other way, be
rightod. To thinking men il will be quite
another lesson.