Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-28
FREE DISCUSSION A PUBLIC RIGHT


In" late areat Of Mr. valand CHAN is not only the
subject Of discussion ia The newspapers but has already
given rise - several public meotings ut the North n which
Tho aci OF Gen Burnside il protested against and cen.
sred being il conflict with the Constitution and the
Laws We briefly ecte the proceedings of those held in
the State OF New York.
The first Of these meetings was held ia Albany New
York, on Saturday evening The HIN. Erastus Corning
presided, and speeches were made by Hon. Amasa j.
Parker, Hon. Francs Herman Hon. john Murphy,
and others and the following letter from Governor Se-
mour addressed to the G, mmtlee of Arrangement
read by Peter Cagger Esq:
STATE OF New York,
Executive Department, Albany, May 16, 1863.
cannot attend the meeting at the Capitol this evening
but wish to state my opinion in regard to the arrest of
Vaandigham. II is act which has brought dishonor
upon our country II full of danger to our parsons and
our homel 1t bears upon it's front consc0s violation
of law AID justice Acting upon the evidence Of d. tailed
normers shrinking IRON the light of day the darkness
of night armed men violated the home of American
citizen, and furtiVely bore him away to military trial
conducted without those safeguards known in the pro
ceedings of Judicial tribunals The transaction in
volved series of offences aga nat most sacred ghts
1t with the freedom of speech it violated
rights to bs in homes against unreasonable
ches and seizures 1t pronounced sentence without
trial save one which was mOckery which insulted
well rs wronged The perpetrators seek to impose
punishment not for offence against law, but for the
disregard 1T invalid order put forth the utter dsre
gard of the principles of civil liberty If this proceeding 10
approved by the Govenmen and sanctioned by the people,
is not merely step towards revolution revolution
will not only lead to military despOtism it establishes
military despolism In this aspect must be accepted
or ia this aspect it must be rejected Ii it upheld
liberties 0verthrOWn The safety Of persons and
security Of property will hereafter depend upon the
arbitrary will Of such military rulers may be placed
over while our constitutional will be broken
down. Even now the Governors and courts of come of
the great Western States have sunk Into nsgnfcance
before the despotc powers claimed and exercised by mill
tay men who have been sent into their borders 1t is
fearful thing to increase the danger which Overhangs
by treating the law the Judiciary and the authorities
of the State with contempt.
The people of this country wait with the deepest
Anxiety the decisions of the Administration upon these
acts Having given it generous support n the conduct
OF the war; we now pause to what kind Of
II is for which we asked to pour out our blood and
treasures The action of the Admnis ration will d.
temine in the minds of than one-ha III the people
Of the Loyal States WI ether this s wsged to put
down rebellion at the South to destroy free institutions
at the North. We look for its decision with the most
solemn soicitude. HORATIO SEYMOUR.
The following is copy of the preamble and resolutions
submitted by the Hon. John " L. Pruyn and adopted by
the meeting by reclamation:
Resolped, That the Democrats of New York point to
their uniform of action during the two years of
civil through which We have passed to the aacrty
which they have evinced in filing the ks Of the army
to their nrbuios and sacrifices the d-nce Of their
pa rlosm and devotion to the cause Of mperlled
country Never the history of civil has Govern
ment been sustained with such ample Of
and the people have voluntarily placed in the hands
Of this Administration.
Resolred, That Democrats we are drternn ID g.,
maintain this patriotic attitude and de- pe Of and
dsheartening circumstances to devote all energies to
sustain the of the Union and peace through
victory aud to bring about the restoration OF all The States
under the safeguards of the Constitution.
Rts0lred, hat while will rot csnsent tn be misrp-
presented upon these ns we are determined not to bs
misunderstood in gard to others not lees essential We
demand that the Administration sha be true to the Con-
sttuon shall recognise aud maintain the rghts If the
States aud the liberties of the zen, shall every whr,e
outside Of the lines 1T necessary military occupation and
the scenes of nsurrecon exert all its powers 10 maintain
tie supremacy of The civil over military law.
Resoned That in view OF these principles denounce
the recent assumption Of military commander to seize
AMI try citizen Of Ohio, Clement L. Vaandigham, for
other than words addressed to public meeting
IN critics. Of the of the Administration aud in
condemnation OF the military orders of that General.
Resored, That this assumption of power by military
tribunal if successfully asserted only abrosates the
right of the people to assemble and discus the affairs If
Govtrnmrnt the liberty of speech and OF the press the
right Of trial by jury the law OF evidence and the privilege
Of babess corpus but il strikes fatal blow the supre
macy Of law and the authority of the State and Federal
Constitutions.
Rsolped That the Consttu ion of the United Slater
the Supreme Law of the andhas defined the or me of
treason against the Untrd States to consist only levy
ing against them adherng to their enemies giving
aud comfort - ard has provided that no person
shall be convicted Of treason unless the testimony of
two witnesses 10 the overt act confession in
shall be held to answer for capital otherwise Infamous
crime unless uresentment indictment of grand
jury except in arising the land naval forces
the IN tia when actual service in time Of or
public GER and ia Their that in all criminal prosecu
tons the us shall erjny the right of speedy and
public trial by impartial jury of the State and district
wherein the crime was committed"
RESOLVED That these safeguards Of the rights Of the
citizen against the pre ions OF arbitrary power were
tended esp cy for bis protection in times Of civil
cnmmoton Ttey were secured substantially to the Eng
lsh people after OF protrsced civil war and
adopted into Constitution the close Of the revo-
luton They have stood the test Of seventy years c
ial under cur republican syetem, under circumstances
which show that willis they constitute the foundation Of
all fire. government they the elements of the enduring
stability If tire public
hesored That in adopting the language Of Daniel Web
ster declare, IL is the ancient aud uudoubted pre-
rogave Of this people to public and the
size privilege. 1t his been enjoyed in every house. cot
age, and bin in the nation 1t is undcubted the
right Of breathing tas cir walking the earth Be-
longing to private life right it belongs to public life
duty aud it tn last duty which those whose epe-
sentatves shall Gud to abandon. Aiming ut all
times to be Courteous and temperate Ia its use except
when the light itself is questioned shall place our
selves the extreme boundary Of right and bid
H. fibce 20 any that would from ground.
This Oh con.tiiu ina privilege shall defend and
exercise al pl in time Of peace, in time Of war,
and at oil time. Liz NJ shall it and should
leave other nhetaI TO children by the blessing
Of God will them the Inheritance OF free ptinc-
pies ard the example Of manly, independent and con.ti
tutional defence OF tbem
Reoird That in the cleo OF Gov Seymour the PEG.
pie Of this State by emphatic majority, declared their
condemnation OF tn ysiem e arbitrary arrests and their
dete mnation to stan by the Constitution That the
vva OF this awrss system can have but one resut-o d.
add .ke aut fh.N .rk a -.