Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-05-14
THE ARREST OF VALLA NDIGHAM
General kurn>ide's Reason for causing tn
Arrest.

Arrest.
Mr.. Vallandingham having applied through
his counsel, Hon. George f. PugI, for "a writ
of Habeas Corpus, the following important
paper from Gen. Burnside, giving his reasons
for making the arrest, was laid before the
Court:
Gen. burnside higgins his statement by pre-
missing, that, If military commanders officers,
OF soldiers were to indulge in Wholesale criii-
cisims upon tie policy OF the Government, the
tendency would be, to CemoraliZe the army !;
and therefore, officers and soldiers are not al.
lowed 10 indulge in such CRITICISMS. As it is
his (tIen. B.'s) duty as the Com mander OF the
department, to prevent the doing OF saying of
anything liz Kentucky, that would weaken the
army. by prev enting siuglr recruit from join.
ing the ranks, BY bringing the laws of Congress
int Gisrepute, or by causing dissatisfaction in
the ranks, it is equally the duty of every citi-
zen in the department to avoid the same evil.
lit Is his duty TO prevent the propagation Of
this evil in the army, or in a portion OF the
department, it is equally his Gury in all por-
tions of it. ard il is his duty to use all the force
in his power TO stop IL.
Again Gen. 3. argues, if the rules of war.
fare justify the severe punishment of men
Il ON the eneHly's country, VINO would do any
thing to demeraliZn the military force, such
acts from our own public men should not be
allowed. The press and party men should, in
a great emerg rgency like the present AVOID the
nse of party epithets and bite. invecti yes, and
Tie words "patriot'' and TRAITOR are suffi-
GENTLY broad TO cover every case. Times like
the present require the exercise OF a power
that moves more uickly than the civil. The
fact that the speeches condemned were de-
hvered ia the presence OF large body of citi-
zrns " no did II OF condemn them, is (Gen. B.
arg ues) nothing in their favor; and he express.
Is his determination not to permit the use of
detrimental license and then plead that they are
exercising liberty of speech simply. He further
ayoWs his intention of sustaining the policy of
the Government in every particular, and if the
people do not approve that policy they can
oh <ha SIR frfiD smith If hat
Government at the proper time and by the
proper method.
Gen. Burnside then says: ssLet the people
freely discuss tie policy in proper tone; but
my duty requires NE 10 stop liceT Sc, ana in
teniI crate discussion, which tends to weaken
the authority OF the Government and army;
whist the latter is in the presence of the ene-
my. IL Is COW ardly so to weaken it. This license
could not be used IN our camps-the man would
be torn IN pieces who would attemptit. There is
no fear OF the people losing their liberties, we
all know that 10 be the cry OF demagogues, and
none but the ignorant Will listen to it. all inteli-
gent men know that our people are too far ad-
vaDced in the scale OF religion. civilization, ed
uca,ion, and freedom, to alleW any power on
earth to interfere with their liberties: but this
same advancement in these great characters
ties OF our people, teaches them to make all
necessary sacrifices for their country, whea an
emergency requires. They Will support the
constituted authorities of the Government
wbether they agree with them or not Indeed,
the army itself, is part OF the people, and is
so thoroughly educated in the love of civil lib
erty, which is the best guarantee for the per-
maneDce of our republican institutions, that it
would itself he the first to oppose any attempt
TO continue the exercise Of military authority
afier the establishment OF peace by the over
throw OF the rebellion. No man on eartn can
lesd eur citizen soiGiery to the establishment
Of a military despotism, and no man LIVING
would have the folly to attempt II 10 90 so
would be TO seal his own deom. On THIS pont
there can be no around for apprehension on the
p.nple.n sfsze
an interest in the country to AID him in enforcing