Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-01-21

I able grounds Of suspicion. II has a iudi.
clal system, IN full and undi-turbcd opcr.
alton. l's own courts, held nc convenient
points IA this aud other loyal States are
p open for rhe hearing OF all complaints.-
II ITS laws are not ample for the punish
meutot o,ienscs, j! is due to the NEGLECT
OF those 10 power.
Government is not strengthened bv the
exercise oidoubt!ul powers but by a wise
and energeiic eXel ton Of those which are
lneontestiule The former course never
fails 10 produce dscord suspicion and
diStrust, Nifile the latter inspires respect
and ce0teiet ~.
This loyal State, whose laws, whose
courts, and whose officers have thus been
treated with marked and public contempt,
and whose social order ard sacred rights
have been violated, was at that very time
sending forth great armies to protect the
National Capitol, and to save the Nation,
al officials from ight or capture. 1t was
while the arms OF New York thus shelter
ed them against rebellion, that, without
consultation with its chief magistrate. a
subordinate department at Washington
insulted our people and invaded our
rights. Against these wrongs and ou,ra,
ges the people of 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
bone and abroad for an indifference to
their liberties. But it was only in a spirit
of respect for our Institutions. that they
waited until they could express their will
| in the manner 10 ntcd out bv our laws
| A lat alp Il %
once their regard for law and their love Of
liberty. Amidst all the confusion Of civil
war, they calmly sat in judgment upon
the administration, voting against its can,
dldates. Nor was this the only striking
! proof Of respect for the Constitution. The
minority, of nearly equal numbers, yield
cd to tins decision without resistance, al.
! though the canvass was animated by
strong partisan eXcltements. This calm
assertion ofrights, and this honorable sub.
mission 10 the verdict OF the ballot~boX,
viudicated at once the character OF our
people and the stability Of oGr institu-
| tlous. Had the secessonistS OF the South
/ thus yielded to constitutional decisions
| they would have saved themselves and
! our country from the horrors of this war,
/ and they would have found .he same rem
! edy for every wrong and danger.
| Martial Ll,0.
The claim of power under martial law
States, but il oSerlhrows the legislative
and judicial departments Of the General
! Government. ~ asserts for the President
more power as the head of the army, than
as q representative luler Of the people
| This claim mas brought discredit upon rs
| m the eyos OF the world. II has strength.
encd the hopes of rebellion. IL has weak
encd the confidence of loyal States, 1t
! tends to destroy the value Of our Governs
mont in the minds Of our people 1t leads
| 10 discOrd and discomfort at the North,
while It has united and invigorated the
| ISOuth.
If there is necessity which justifies
that policy, let US openly and honestly
! say there is necessity which juslIIes a
revolution. But this preteusion is not
IpuJ forth as a necessity which overleaps
| lgr tine all restraints, and which is JUS
| lItied by great eXigenCy; it Is a theory
which eyalts the military power OF the
| President above his civil and constitution.
al rights. IL asserts that he may in his
discretion declare war, and then eXtiu.
"n,.h the state and National Cops,itu,
95.ons Inv drawino the nall Of MAJ tal law
over our vast country,
"Nr,,,.,I l,.yv defines itself 10 be q law
r,rar,','.ri, Il limits its own iuri.dic.
Van .'l' I,. 49, ',crv torn, B1t This new and
s,r', =, a,ctr;1o holds tbat the loyal North
los, 'Tcir coo,fiurional r,rLts when the
g|ntn r'balIad and all mc now goycrn,d
tI,,'n Military dict,ri1n. Loyalty i, thus
~ .1cn,o .,,,,, yhon rchejiion, Tor If stand,
t,;,,on.' ,oaors to resist outreoes or to re.
s,,,, ,,ro'ny AmiI.t ali tine h,rrors that
Go1o Eccn Sr,cled under nar,lal Law in
,%aI,.lory oF tloworid and amidst all the
;nstiGoot;Gos aitomnted Of ITS usare, il
or Iororn betd that il could be OK.
,,,,Jad oroc na,cetui ,rotns. twas never
,,;Sna l.,,. oIain,aL hat the mower of militia
~, S'o1 oan,n,anJor ,yos snnerior to the power,
~ ~ '.oua"nn,ovt ooai' Ir,,,,,'rt '~
-,.......;.., r.,4,..,l
More Ihah Two centuries sIuce' may oo'u
/ delenuer OF LhsHsn IlOCilyj tua' hoHC''