Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1863-01-09
Telegraph1c synopsis OF Gov.
SeymOur's Message.

newspaper columns. He says New York has
sent sincethe outbreak Of the war, 100000
soldiers 70 the field. Speaking Of the causes
oil the war, he says: Adfightened at the ruin
they have wrought the authors Of the calam-
lily, both North and South, insist that this was
caused by an unavoidable contest about sla-.
very. This has been the subject, not the
lcause of the controversy. We are TO look 10
for the cause Of this war in a prevailing dis
regard for avs and constitutions, disrespect
for constituted authorities, and above all, in
the local prejudices which have grown up in
the two portions OF the Atlantic States.
When the leaders of the instruction at the
extreme South say free and slave States can
not exist together in the Union, and when
this is echoed from the extreme North by the
enemies Of our Constitution, both parties
simply say they can not, because they will
not respect the avs and the Constitution
This spirit Of disloyaIty must be put down.
1t is inconsistent with all order and social Sc
curity, with safety of persons and property,
This war should have been averted, but when
its hood-gates were opened the Administra-
ton could not grasp its dimensions, nor con
troll its sweep The Government was borne
along by the current, and struggled as il best
could with the resistless tide. Few seemed
able to comprehend its military or financial
problems; hence We are not TO sit in harsh
Judgment Upon errors in conduct or policy. p
There are not only obligations resting on
our people toward our authorities, but, under
our political system, there are limitations
between the departments of the Government,
and betwee en- the State. and National Govern
ments, which must be observed, to secure the
public safety. The Legislative, Executive
aud Judicial departments, are coordinate.
1t is equally reasonable to resist the rightful
authority OF either. To overthrow the power
Of either department is revolution. While
the Wa Department set aside the authority
of the Judiciary and overrides the laws Of
States, the Governors of States meet to shape
the policy of the General Government, the
national Legislature appoints committees to
interfere with the military conduct of the war,
and Senators combine TO dictate the Execu-
tive choice of constitutional advisers. The
natural results of meddling and intrigues
have followed. While our armies have gained
victories in fields remote from the Capital,
within its influence the heroic valor OF our
soldiers and the skill of our Generals are
thwarted and parslyzed.
Not only must the National Constitution be
held inyiolate, but the rights Of States must
be respected, as not less sacred. There are
differences Of opinion as to the dividing line
between State and National jurisdictions, but
there.can be none as to the existence of such
separate jurisdictions, each covering subjects
Of legislation and Jurisprudence essential to
the public security and welfare. A consoli.
dated government, in this vast country, would
destroy the essential home rights and liberties
of the people. The sovereigntIes of the States,
except as they are limited by the Constitution,
can never be given up Without them our
Government can not stand. 1t was made,
and it can be changed, by State agency. Gov,
ernor Seymour quotes the Constitution in sup
port of this, and says White States can thuE
take away or add to their power, the Genera
I Government can in no way touch one right
of the States, or invade their Jurisdiction
He then devotes considerable space to the
subject of arbitrary arrests and says that tbs
subject presents a body of tyranny that cannot
be enlarged also, that the suppression o
: Journals and imprisonment of persons have
been glaringly partisan, that the attempt haI
! been made TO shield these ~yiolaters of law
: and suppress inquiry but this attempt will
. fail 1t is a high crime 10 abduct a citizen o
: this State. 1t is made my duty by the Con
s~titution, to see the laws enforced, / shal
i investigate every illegal violation of our stal
u ntes and see that offenders are brought I
e justice. Against these wrongs and outrage
y n the people of the State Of New York, at II
y election, solemnly protested.
a The claim of power under martial law
= not only destructive of the rights of STATED
but it overthrows the Legislative and judisis
! departments of the General Government.
4 asserts for the President more power as Ii
n head of the army, than as a Representative
q ruler of the people. This claim has brougl
discredit upon us in the eyes Of the world.
!, has strengthened the hopes of rebellion
Il weakened the confidence Of loyal State
n tends to destroy the value Of our goyernmeI
in the minds Of our people, leads to discor
and dlscontent at the North, while it ht
IL united and inyigorated the South. Maftit
law defines itself to be a law where war is b.
rs this new and strange doctrine holds that III
"A loyal North lost their constitutional RICH
"A when the South rebelled, and all are no
governed by military dictation. ID
.. Loyalty is thus less secure than rebellion
for il stands without means to resist outrag,
If or to resent tyranny. Amidst all the horrol
that have been enacted under martial law
the history of the world, and amidst all II
Qualifications attempted of its usages, it WI
Il never before held that it could be extende
J. over peaceful States, 1t was never bsfJl
n claimed that the power OF a military cor
msnder was superior to the power Of Cover
ments. The measure Of power To be exerci
IN ed under our Government is fixed by the Co
s~titution. To make the maxims of 9th
Ia governments, or the usages of other nation
IL the rule here would give saetion to every on
"A rage, tyranny, and wrong 1t would unt
- what was done by our fathers, who form,
our Government After enlargihg on Ii
Il subject, Governor Seymour says "The Pre-
- dent holds his place, not by the wilrof h