The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1863-01-15


armies of New York thus sheltered them
against rebellion that; without consultation
with its Chief Magistrate, subordinate
department at Washington insulted our peo-
pie and invaded our rights.
Against these wrongs and outrages the
people CT the State Of New York, at its
late election, solemnly protested. The
submission of our people to these abuses,
for time only. was mistaken at home an1
abroad foI an indifference to their liber-
ties; but it was only in a spirit of respect
for our institutions that they waited until
they could express their will in the man
ner pointed out by our laws. At the late
election they vindicated at once their re
gard for law and their love of liberty.
Amid all the confusion of civil war they
coolly and calmly sat in Judgment upon
the administration, voting against its can
didates. Nor was this the only striking
proof Of respect for the constlnt on The
minority, of nearly equal numbers, yield
ed to this decision without resistance, al
though the canvass was animated by strong
partisan excite cent. This calm assertion
OF rights and this honorable submission to
the verdict Of the ballo-box, vindicated
at once the character of our people and the
stability of our institutions. Had the Sc
cessionists of the Soath thus yielded to
constitutional decisions, they would have
saved themselves and our country from the
horrors of this war, and they would have
found the same remedy for every wrong
and danger.
Amidst all the horrors that have been
enacted undor martial law in the history
of the world, and amdsts all the Justlfca
tons attempted OF its usages it was never
before held that it could be extended over
peaceful States. 1t was never before claim
ed that the power of a military comman
der was superior to the powers of govern
ment. More than two centuries since, that
bold defender OF English liberty, that hon
est and independent Judge. Lore Coke de
clared that "Wbere courts Of law are open
martial law cannot be executed and also
that 1.-The power that is above tie law is
unfit for the King to ask or us to grant.
Are English laws more sacred, or is En-
gl>h liberty more secure than ours?
1t was one of the causes set forth in the
Declaration of Independence, for denoun
cing allegiance to the King o. England,
that lie Lad affected to render the military
independent of and superior to the civil
: power. During the struggle for national
life, although surrounded by enemies, spies
and informcrs, who upheld the prctentions
of the Crown, Washington never declare
martial irw or claimed the right under
any circumstances, TO make the military
superior to civil authority. On the contra
ry, he was most deierent;al to the latter.
The feeling of the fathers on this subject
can best be learned by Tie constitutions
which were formed by the men who estab
lishcd the national government. All OF
them had provisions inconsistent with this
ne W and monstrous pretension. Masschu
sets, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Del
eware. Pennsylvania. Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina eight Of The
thirteen States which originally made up
our Union, explicitly declared that militsry
, power should, in all cases and at all times
be held in exact subordinaton to civil au
thority. and he governed by it. This was
EXPRESSED i'm each constitution il terms al
most identical. 1t is Incredible that a
people who held these views. and who
, were Jealous of their liberties, and who
thus restrained State authorities under
their immediate control, would give to the
} commander of the army of the United
, States this despotic power.-a power
which the crown of Great Britain has moi
, been permitted TO exercise for nearly two
centuries.
New York and other States consented
10 make up the general government only
upon the assurance that the original con
stitution be so amended as TO secure moIt
per ectly the rights of States and citizens
, These articles weie added by the unani
nous vote Of the States:
e ARTICLE 4. The right of the people tc
] be secure in their persons. houses. papers
and effects, against unreasonable searches
S and seizures, shall not be violated; and nc
+ warrant shall issue but upon probabi,
5 cause. supported by oath or affirmation
: and particularly describing the place to b.
: searched aud the person OF things to b.
Y seized.
=, ga AprrcIrS Nh oarcop chall ha hal1 4.