The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-29
LETTER OF GOV. SEYMOUR OF
NEW YORK.
A Manly Protest Against mhi'ary
UsurpatiOn.

UsurpatiOn.
The following letter of Gov. SEYMOUR
of New York to the Albany meeting, called
to protest against the illegal arrest of
VA11ANp1GHAM, will furnish food for
thought, we trust, to the Administration
and all who uphold it in its attempt to
defy the Constitution sid the laws. The
time had come when stern and uncom-
promising protest was needed against the
madness of the servants of the people who
assume to be its masters, and Gov. SEY-
MoUR has made it, with voice of no I'M
certain sound. With him stand not only
Democrats, but all citizens who are not
willing to abandon their rights, and trust
their personal safety to the irresponsible
whim of arbitrary power. Truly the Gov
ernor says of this latest phase Of Repub-
lean folly and crime, cit is not
merely step toward revolution
it as revolution. 1t will not only
lead to military despotism-it estab-
lishes military despotism." If every
guarantee of the Constitution can be vio-
lated with impunity in the person of a citi-
zen of Ohio, there is not citizen of Min
nesota or any other State who can rightfully
boast that he enjoys single immunity
denied to the subject of despotic Austria.
Or at best, his safety is secured only be-
cause, in the good providence of God, he
happens to live in State like New York,
which elected for its Governor States
man and Patriot, instead of a servile
fanatic. The letter is as follows:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, May 16, 1868.
| cannot attend the meeting at the Capitol
this evening, but 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 full of danger to our persons
and our homes. 1t bears upon its front a con-
scious violation of law and justice.
Acting upon the evidence of detailed inform
ers shrinking from the light of day, in the
darkness of night, armed men violated the
home of an American citizen and furtively bore
him away to military trial, conducted without
those safeguards known in the proceedings of
ed series of offences against our most sacred
rights.
It interfered with the freedom of speech it
violated our rights to be secure in our homes
against unreasonable searches and seizures; it
pronounced sentence without trial. save one
which was a mOckery, which insuted rs well
as wronged The perpetrators now seek to
impose punishment, not for an offence against
law but for the disregard of an invalid order,
put forth in the utter disregard of the princi-
piles of civil liberty.
If this proceeding is approved by the govern
ment, and sanctioned by the people, it is not
merely step toward revolution-it is revolu-
ton it will not only lead to military despOtism
it establishes military despotism In this as.
pect it must be accepted, or in this aspect re-
jected Kit is upheld our liberties are over
thrown; the safety of our persons: the securi-
ty of our property will hereafter depend upon
the arbitrary will of such military rulers as
may be placed over us, while our constitutional
guarantees will be broken down.
Even now the Governors and 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 heen
sent into their bordera. 1t is fearful thing to
increase the danger which now overhangs us
by treating the law, the judiciary, and the
state authorities with contempt.
The people of this country now wait with
The deepest anxiety, the decisions OF the ad-
ministratiOn upon these acts Having given it
q generous support in the conduct OF the war,
we pause to see what kind of government it is
for which we are asked TO pour out our blood
and our treasures.
The action of the administration will deter
mine in the minds of more than one half of the
people of the loyal Sta; es. whether the war is
Wared to put down rebellion at the South, or
destroy free institutions at the North. We
took for its decision with most solemn solicit
tude.
HORATIO SEYMOUR.
The resolutions adopted at the meeting
to which the above letter was addressed,
claim that the Democrats have devoted
during the two years of civil war, and ex-
press determination to devote, their ell
ergies to the cause of the Union; denounce
the assumption of military power in the
arrest of Mr. VALLANDIGHAM, and assert
the right of free discussion. They say that
in the election of Mr. SEYMOUR the people
condemned the system of arbitrary arrests,
and call upon the President to restore Mr..
VALLANDIGHAM to liberty. They direct a
copy of the resolutions to be sent to the
President, with the assurance of the desire
of the meeting to support the government
in every constitutional and lawful measure
to suppress the rebellion.