Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-07-29

My louOt W tJil lai0tT the hTUlLfafN arrest
of Mr., Nallandigham, certain resolutions
were adopted, copies of which were, by
the direction OF the meeting, transmitted
by its officers to President Lincoln, who
IN communication dated the 18th OF
June, 1863 addressed to the gentlemen
referred to, which has appeared very gen,
srSlly IN the public prints, discussed the
TesoluhoRs and controyerted certain posi-
lions which they mlintained in regard to
personal rights and constitutional obiga
lIonE,
Ca the receipt OF this communication
The Hon. Erastus Corning, Chairman Of
the meeting referred to, addressed the
President, informing him in substance
that the special duty assigned to the off .
Ger, Of the meeting had been fulfilled by
sending the resolutions 10 his Excellency,
out adding that in view of the import ance
of the principle involved, and the public
interest which the matter had assume he
had deemed it proper to submit the Pres
idents letter to the Committee, who re-
ported The resolutions for such acton as
in their judgment it might demand.
The Com mittee having considered the
subject, and viewing the questions at issue
rs OF the gravest Importance, replied to
the residents communication, which re
ply is now laid before the public. At the
request Of the Committee, it was sent to
the President by the officers of the meets
ins, in letter under their signatures, of
which.th following is a copy
II his Ecceleacy The Preyilea! Of tie United
States
SIR. The undersigned, officers of the
public meeting held in this city on the
18Th day OF May last, to whom your CON.
muEication of the 18th of this month,
commenting on the resolutions adopted
Mt that meeting, was addressed have the
honor to send to your Excellency reply
to that communication by tho committee
who reported the resolutions. The great
importance to The people of this country
OF the questions discussed must be our
enology, II any be needed. for saying that
l!ly concur in this reply, ard believe
.vty 0e in entire harmony with the views
Rad sentiments of the meeting referred to.
We are. with great respect.
Very truly yours.
ERAsTUs CORNING, President.
Albany, June 80, 1868.
The names of the Vice Presidents and
Secretaries (forty>six in number) are, for
want of room, omitted.
II lis EcceHency, 1Iraham L.a:ola, Presi.
dent Qfthe Uatci States -
SIR: Your answer, which has appeared
in the public prints, to the resolutions ad-
opted al recent meeting in the city Of
Albany, affirming the personal rights and
liberties of the citizens of this country, has
been referred 10 the undersigned, the
Committee who prepared and reported
those resolutions. The subject will now
receive from us some further attention,
which your answer seems TO justify, if not
20 invite. We hope not TO feel wanting in
the respect due to your high position, if
wereply with q freedom and earuestness
suggested by the inf 1ite gravity and i'm,
portance of the questions upon which you
have thought proper to take issue at Tue
tsr of public opinion.
You seem TO be aware that the Consti>
kutiou orthe United States, which YOU
have sworn to protect and defend, contains
the following guarantees to which we ask
your attention: tll Congress shall make
no law abridging the freedom ofspeech or
of the press. (2) The right Of tho people
TO be secure in their persons against un.
reasonable seizures shall not be violated
and no warrant shall issue but upon prob,
able cause, supported by oath (3) No per.
sons, except mariners in the service ofthe
Government, shall be held TO answer for
capital or infamous crime, unless on pres
sentiment or indictment. OF Grand Jury,
nor shall any person be deprived of life,
liberty or property without due process of
law. (i) 10 all criminal prosecutions, the
accused shall enjoy the right of a speedy
aud public trial by an impartial Jury of
the State or district in which the crime
,thall have been committed, and to be
confronted with the witnesses against him. /,
You are also, no doubt, aware that on
tho adoption Of The Constitution these in
valuable provisions we're proposed by the
Jealous caution of the States. and were
inserted as amendments for a perpetual
assurance OF liberty against the encroacb !
ments of power, From your earliest rea.
ding oil history. you also know thai ,be
great principles Of liberty and law which /
underlie these provisions we're derived to
us from the British Constitution. In thai
country they were secured by Maoua Choyi,
moro than six hundred years ago. and
they have been confirmed by many and
repeated statutes of the realm. A single
palpable violation OF them in England
would not only arouse the public indigna>
tion, but would endanger the throne its
sols. For persistent disregard OF them,
Charles |. was dethroned and 5eheadsd by
his rebelious subjects
The fact has already passed into history
that the sactedr ights and mmunitisswhich
we're designed TO be protected by these
constitutional guarantees have not been
preserved to the people during your ad'
ministration. In violation Of the first of
them the freedom Of the press has been
aenled' 10 repeated instances, newspa
pers have been suppressed 10 the loyal