The Placer herald., 1863-01-31

Wntl W OOl COnulltupu MIN 10 DOlu.
Wool put a quietus upon them by showing that
the War Department had directed Miles to report
directly to that office from day to day. and he
could have shown the following telegram from
this city TO Col. Miles,
The Department have perfect confidence in
your ability and in your competency, and direct
that you hold your position to the last cxtremi-
ty."
Stanton Haleck and Lincoln have confidence
in Miles, they continue him in command of an
important position; White valves rank for him -
but Mcclellan must be censured, and this is one
OF the points on which they seek TO assai him
But Hallcck says he disobeyed orders in not
crossing the Potomac ard giving battle to Ice.
VI necessity, McClellans army WAS shattered by
the battles in Maryland. His army was, of ne
cessity much shattered, and Haleck had himself,
under his own command, seen the evil results of
throwing in the face of II masked foe, an inferior
force. Such folly at Pittsburgh Landing clothed
the Northwest in mourning. The East telt its
effect on Pope's campaign. under the eye of Hal
| leck. There has been quite enough of this
When we recollcct Hulcck's rapid and e1pedi-
tious march from Pittsburgh Landing to Corinth
then we can comprehend why he is so anx-
lous for the rapid marches Of Mcclellan
Neither in llallcck complaints, nor of the find
ing OF the commi sion, do find anything to
warrant the removal of Mcclellan from his com
mand; and hence my mind is brought to the
irresistible conclusion that it was his failure to
endorse the proclamation that WAS the real cause
OF his removal. These remarks are not made for
the purpose of bringing forward General Me
Clellan or any other person, in connection wlh
the Presidency Of 1864. At the appropriate
time shall be prepared to take my position on
that subject, and will cndcavor to select the
wisest, and lirmcst, and truest and most patriotic
OF our statesmen-one who is for the preserva
OF the Constitution and restoration of the
Unon-for that important position.
On The l7th Of March last, my colleague (Mr.
| | H., A.
| been arrested introduced q resolution instruct
! ing committee to inquire into the facts. which
resolution passed this House by q majority of
| two to one On the first day of the session | in
troduced resolution directing an inquiry into
the causes why white citizens Of illinois, with
out charges being made against them, were de-
tanned in the various forts and bastilcs in the
| country, aud that resolution WAS laid on the table
on motion OF Mr.. Lovcjoy, by similar vote
The army is being used for the benefit of the
negro. This House is being used for his benefit
Every department of the Government is being
run for his benefit
Now, Mr.. Chairman, l have q single word to
those who are temporarily exercising the func-
tions OF the Executive Department of the Gov
ernment. fear they have not studied the histo-
ry OF the people Of this country, or the cbarac.
ler%,cs OF the sS rSS.caEs Es~ ~N h" power they have
ever wrcnched. even from unwilling hands. |
fresh guarantees for their liberty. | am lead to
make these remarks in view of the arrests of thou
sands of men in the loyal States without due |
process of law by the order of the Executive |
officers Of this Government, at the times and
places where, in all cases, courts OF justice were
entirely open and the execution of the Laws Who'll
ly unobstructcd. The most remarkable page in |
the history OF our race is the fact that while |
these outrages have been committed upon the |
rights OF people, no resistance has been Off |
cred, no violence done, and no life has been Ia
zen IN the penalty for the wrong. The desire OF
the people to preserve the peace in their own
midst has restrained them thus tar from the com
mission of violence
Attempts have been made to inimidate our
people at the polls Provost marshals have
been sent everywhere, and yet our people have
not been provoked to violate order. But they
are in earnest; they mean to preserve their liber-
lies and their rights. The results of the last
election were OF no temporary character. Such
Il triumph has never before been witnessed in this
country. There is not man who voted the
Democratic ticket last fall, throu gLout the coun-
try, who is not prepared, when the proper time
comes, to lay down his life rather than sacrifice
his liberty. We may as well understand this.
Let us talk plainly about it. Let US not try
to deceive ourselves or others We are no as.
sassns. We are no law breakers. Our people
have endured great deal. They have submitted
TO arbitrary arrests and imprisonmcnts. But let
me say to you in Gods name pause. stop; you
cannot go any iurthcr.' Our people are rcsov-
Do not misunderstood them. We are for Union.
We are for liberty Unconstitutional liberty. Our
ancestors. in all times past, have vindcated it; |
and their descendants. after long suffering. will,
if need be, vindicatc it before God and the
world,
| repeat it. Mr.. Chairman, our people are in
earnest: They mean all they have said. They
love the flag because it represents Constitution
order, law. They do not wish to be slaves, and
do moi mean to be made slaves We have had a
bill passed here to-day, under whip and spur,
without debate, without inquiry. extending am
neSty to those who have hus wrOnged our people.
think you had also better pass IA bill extending
amnesty to those of you who the people have
condemned for your course here, SO that you can
hvae IL political resurrection hereafter. That is
the only way you can ever have ii done. 1t is
the only way in which you can ever have for
givcness. II you expect that when the courts
come come to look at the monstrous b II which
passed to-day, wiping out the rights OF those who
have been nmured in prison, they will hold it
constitutional, You are greatly mistaken. No
court OF justice will hold that that gives demni-
ty for the wanton rccklcs, tyrannicIl exercise OF
power. 1t is not justice on earth. 1t is not JUS
tce before God in Heaven. My opinion about it
is that you had better have left the courts open
to our people, and let those men who had ruth
lessly and reckesrly violated every precept, law
and Constitution, take the legal consequences OF
their acts.
But Mr.. Chairman, there is no excuse or paia-
ton for the arrests that have been made. care
not whether you take the case of the old man,
like Mahoney tottering to the grave, or the little
boy in New England, who sells newspapers for
living; or men of high and spotless character,
and devoted fidelity to the laws, like Judge Duff
of Illinois; or the unfortunate boy who was con
fined in Camp Chase, who could not pay his
washwoman's BILL and was, therefore, accused OF
disloyal practices; Or take .the man of great in
tellect like Edison B. Olds of Ohio; or the un-
learned squirrel hunter fromI my friends Mr..
Robinsons) district who did not know but that
jeff Davis and Lincoln were on the same side. or
the intermediate between these two extremes
there is not one of them that could not have
been tried in the place where the offense was
said to have been commtted and if found guilty
correct public sentiment would have seen that
the penalties of the law were enforced upon them.
In all these cases you have violated the Const-
tuition and the laws. You have dsregarded
| t,I.nl hnth nd now Won turn around and NJ