Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-01-29


eminent cannot stand. 1t was made and
it can be changed by State agency. This
is shown by the following provision Of
the instrument itself:
"The ratification of the conventions OF nine
States shall be sufficient to the establishment of
this Constitution between the States so ratifyng
the same.'
Again, three-fourths Of the States can
add to or take away from tbs powers Of
tho Federal Government, by demanding
q convention in which amendments can
be proposed, which, if ratified by three
fourths of the States, become parts of the
Constitution.
While they can thus take away or add
to its power, the General Government
can in no way touch one right of the
States or invade their jurisdiction.
The obligations which rest upon the
States to respect the Constitution, laws
and authorities of the General Govern
ment, also demand that the General Gov
ernment shall show equal respect for the
rights and constituted authorities of the
States,
To State legislation and authorities, we
look to the gool order of society, the
security of life and property, the protcc-
tion of our homes and all that is nearest
and dearest to us, in the relations, duties
and actions of life. 1t is dangerous and
demoralizing to show contempt for State
authorities and laws. 1t undermines
alike the foundations of State and Ma
tional Government, by breaking up the
social system. If home laws are not re-
epected, the more general authority will
not be regarded.
ARBITRARY ARRESTS.
Our people have heretofore viewed with
alarm, practices and pretentions on the
part of officials, which violate every prin-
ciple of good order, of civil liberty, and
Of constitutional law. 1t is claimed that
in time of war, the President has power,
as Commander-in- Chief of our armies,
which authorized him to declare martial
law, not only within the sphere of hostile
movements, where other law cannot be
enforced, but also over our whole land.
That at his pleasure he can disregard not
only the statues of Congress, but the decis-
ion of the national judiciary. That in
loyal States the least intelligent class of
officials may be clothed with power not
only to act as spies and informers, but
also without due process Of law, to seize
and imprison our citizens, and carry them
beyond the limits Of the State, to hold
them in prison without hearing and q
knowledge of the Offences with which
they are charged. Not only the passions
and prejudices of these inferior agents
lead them to acts of tyranny, but their in-
terests are advanced and their positions
secured by promoting discomfort and dis
cord. Even to ask the aid OF counsel
has been held to be an offence. 1t has
been well said that ''to be arrested for
one entitled to ask where 10 be tried, no
one can say when, by law nowhere
known or established /; or to linger out
life in cell without trial, presents body
of tyranny which cannot be enlarged" i"
The suppression of journals and the
imprisonment of persons have been glar-
ingly partizan, allowing to some the ut.
most licentiousness of criticism, and pun
ishing others for the fair exercise of the
IlRul VI uloCuSSlOu. OOuSClUuS Vi tUcst
gross abuses, an attempt has been made
, to shield the violators and suppress en-
, quiry into their motives and conduct
This attempt will fail. demonstrations
acts cannot be shielded by unconsttu
tional laws. Such attempts will not save
the guilty, while they will bring just
condemnation upon those who try to per
vert the powers of legislation to the pur-
, poses of oppression. TO justify sucl
, actions by precedents drawn from the
practice of governments where there il
no restraint upon legislative power, will
| be of no avail under our system, whicl
Y restraints the government and protects tn
citizen by written constitutions.
| shall not inquire what rights State
q in rebellion have forfeited, but l deu
s that this rebellion can suspend singl
r right of the citizens of loyal Seates
I denounce the doctrine that civil war j
= the South takes away from the loya
North the benefits of one principle {
S civil liberty.
: 1t is high crime to abduct citizc
j. of this State. 1t is made my duty by tn
4 Constitution to see that the laws are en-
h forced. l shall investigate every alleges
0 violation of the statutes, and see that OF
r Tenders are brought to justice. Sheriff
G and District Attorneys are admonishe
: that it is their duty to take care that n
!, persons within their respective countie
: are imprisoned, nor carried by force be
q yond their limits, without due pro
S cess of legal authority. The removal t
: England of persons charged with offence
It away from their friends, their witnesse
: and means of defence, was one of the act
= of tyranny for which we asserted our in
= dependence. The abduction of citizen
o from this State for offences charged
n have been done here, and carrying thcr
d many hundred miles TO distant prisons i
D other States or Territories; is an outrag
of the same character upon every prime
=, pie of right and justice.
o The General Government has amp
It power to establish courts, to appoir
/, officers to arrest, and commissioners t
Il hear complaints, and imprison upon reG
II sonable grounds of suspicion. 1t has
r judicial system, in full and undisturbe
If operation. Its own courts held at cor
o venient points in this and other loy'
States, are open to the hearing of all con
plants. If its laws are not ample for tt
punishment of offences, it is due to IL