Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-06-30
Letter from the President Triumphant Vindi-
cation
Albany, May 10, '63.
TO bis Excellencv the President nf TIA

To his Excellency the President of the
United States:
The undersigned, officers Of public
meeting held at the city of Albany on the
10th day Of May instant, herewith trans
NIT to your excelency copy Of the reso-
lutions adopted at the said meeting, and
respectfully request your earnest considera-
ton OF them. They deem it proper on
their personal responsibility to state that
the meeting was one of the most respecta-
bic as to numbers and character, and one
of the most earnest in the support Of the
Union, ever held in this city.
Yours with great regard,
Signed by Erastus Corning, President,
Eli Perry, Vice President, Vice Presi-
dents and six Secretaries.
Resolutions adopted at the meeting held
in Albany, N. T., on the 10th day Of May,
1868:
Resolued, We demand that the Admin
istration shall be true TO the Constitution
shall recognize and maintain the rights Of
the States and the liberties of the citizens
shall everywhere, outside of the lines OF
necessary military occupation and the
scenes Of Instruction, exert all its power to
maintain the supremacy Of the civil over
military law.
Resolved, That, In view of these princi-
pies, we denounce the recent assumption OF
military commander to seize and try a
citiz IN OF Ohio, Clement l.. Vallandlgham,
| for no other reason than words addressed
to a public meeting, in criticism of the
course of the Administration and in con-
domination Of the military orders of that
General.
Resolred, That this assumption of pow
er by a military tribunal, if successfully as
serted, not only abrogates the right of the
people to assemble and discuss the affairs
of government, liberty of speech and of the
press, the right Of trial by jury, the law Of
evidence and the privilege of habeaS cor
pas but it strikes fatal blow at the SUI
premacy Of law, and tie authority af the
State and Federal Constitutions.
RESOLVED, That the Constitution of the
United States-the supreme law Of the
land-has defined the crime of treason
against the United States to consist "only
in levying war against them, or adhering
to their enemies, giving them aid and com
FORT" and has provided that "no person
shall be convicted Of treason, unless on the
testimony of two witnesses to the same
overt act, or on confession in open court"
And it further provides that mo person
shall be held to answer for capital or 9th
er Infamous crime unless on a presentment
or indictment in a grand jury, except in
cases arising in the land and naval forces,
or in the militia, when in actual service in
time Of war or public danger" and further,
that sin all criminal prosecutions, the ac-
cused shall enjoy the right Of speedy and
public trial by an impartial jury of the
State and district wherein the crime was
committed"
ResoIved, That these safeguards of the
rights Of the citizens against the preten-
sions of arbitrary power were intended
more especially for his protection in time
Of civil commotion. They were secured
more substantially to the English people.
after years Of protracted civil war, and were
adopted into our Constitution at the close
of the revolution. They have stood the
test of seyenty-six years Of trial, under cir
cumstances which show that, while they
constitute the foundation of all free govern
ment, they are the elements of the endur-
ing stability of the republic.
Resolved That the President, Vice
Presidents and Secretary Of this meeting be
requested to transmit copy Of these reso-
lutions to his Excelency, the President Of
the United States, with the assurance of
this meeting of their hearty and earnest de-
sire to support the Government in every
Constitutional and lawful measure TO sup.
press the existing rebellion.