The Shasta courier., 1863-01-24
Democratic Policy.

us by the California Republican OF the 18th
inst. which presents several pl propositions for
organizing the Democratic party in this State.
1t is proposed to restore alf the rights of
the citizens which have been wrested' from
them ITO. bold their public officers to
strict accountability to the Constitution and
laws'>~" to restore the habeaS corpus, the
peoples bill of rights" the freedom of
speech and the liberty Of the press.n The
free navigation of the Mississippi we must
and will have, through whatever power it
passes" Such are few of the propositions
laid down.
Now, SO far as these measures go, the
Union party of California are maintaining
every principle here hid down. All we ask
is to "restore Che rights of the citizens, which
have been wrested from them" by that class
of politicians who have ignored the Constitu-
ton and laws. openly rebelled against the
Government with arms in their hands, and
have oyerpowered every citizen living in the
slave holding States. who chose 70 adhere to
the flag of his country. 1t is for these rights,
the cry for which comes wailing up from the
loyal citizens of the South, that the Govern
ment, through its legally constituted author
tiles, have marshaled its hosts. Deprived of
all their rights by the acts ofrebels, they de-
mand the strong arm Of the Government to
support them And the great Union party
of the country will hold their officers and ru-
lers to strict accountability for a safe deliy-
erance from these CALLING wrongs, which
have been forged about their persons and
property, and for the speedy and proper pun
ishment of the guilty parties.
Why all this hue and cry about the sacred
ness of the writ of habeas corpuss Have not
the loyal citizens of the rebellious States
been deprived of their right to the benefit of
that writ? There are thousands of loyal cit
izens in the South who have been deprived
of every constitutional right that could be
suggested, and that, too, without committing
any violation of that instrument or the laws
of their States; and yet, because a few hun
dred individuals in the North have been ar
rested and imprisoned as offenders against
the laws of war, the cry of terror goes forth
that the people are deprived of their liberties
by the suspension of the writ of habeas COR
pus We have yet to learn that a citizen in
any of the loyal States has been deprived of
the benefit of this writ, while engaged as a
peaceful citizen. And if any person, whatev
er he may be, in times of great danger to the
commonwealth, shall do, by act, word or
deed, anything to give aid to the enemy, the
benefits of the writ Of haJeas corpus should not
be allowed them, as they have by their own act
placed themselves within the jursdict on of
the military arm Of the Government, which
has its laws of trial and punishment, and no
civil writ should reach their case.
We are for liberty of speech and freedom
Of the press, where these rights are not per
verted into acts endangering Government and
the liberties of the people; but in time of wal
we hold that every citizen is bound to alb
stain from all words and acts that shall en-
danger in any manner the cause of the peo
pie, as much as all persons are denied the
privilege of committing public acts of inde
cency, or publishing and circulating obscene
papers or pictures. Such acts are agains
the good of society, and are not allowed.
liberal discussion of principles and measure,
should be ever allowed, but denunciation ant
reasonable language should not be permitted
when it will endanger the peace Of society
and embarrass the Government
But the greatest proposition laid down i
this j.: Democrats will not allow the seces
sionists to break up the Government if the,
can help it. and to prevent this they will con
} sent to any honorable terms by which recon
) struction can be made possible" Here VI
have it. They propose to close the wa
just as soon as it becomes apparent to then
that neither the interests nor the honor of tn
l nation or of humanity demand its furthe
prosecution"
Nere they admi. that the time may com
, when this Government can acknowledge tn
Southern Confederacy as nation. To sucl
policy these Democrats have COMMITTEES
, themselves at last; and we now see wher
they stard In conclusion, we say to then
that the Union party will. as one man, see t
, it that no such party shall ever obtain powe
in this Government, until every one of tn
revolted States shall return to their dutie
under the Constitution.