Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-05-28
dhf 8ntlana 9rrala,
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1868.
FROM the Daily sf Way go.

NAbbANh'"HA'''~- -ClV oi our COlempO-
rares in this State misrepresents the reason
of our statement that the arrest of Val
aadigham was, as We viewed it, a mistake
OF policy. We expressed our utter con-
tempt tor the copperhead ranting over it.
We stated, what was apparent enough
from the absurdly over. wrought STYLE of
his partisan bowling, that 1t was but the
\ cry of political hounds on the scent after
capital, and that it would therefore be ut-
terly devoid of weight or influence with
the people. Casting this all aside, there
Tore, as worthy of no respect whatever,
the fact still remained that these copper
heads had heretofore, by their very spout
ing OF venom, abuse and treason. accom-
phshed more good than harm, however diff
ienent their purpose, by stimulating and
and Strengthening the patriotism of the
. Indignant people. Like the drunkard
who exhibited himself at temperance lee
lures, they served the part of the "terrible
example" and startled the people even
more than loyal speakers could do, into a
realization of their fate if they did not
remain steadfast, through every trial and
temptation, to the teachings and prompt
! mgs OF true patriotism. No man did
more IN this way to strengthen the admin
stratlon and help the loyal cause than this
Vallandigham. Why not let him con
uDne, then, to play his terrible example,
Spart .?
This is regarding the matter merely in
the light of policy. In the other and
higher view, we have briefly stated to
what cases, in our opinion, the military
power over civilians in abridgment O
the right of " free Speech of which
k&s Republican party have ever been
the especial champions, should be re-
strcted
\ So it looked to most of the patriotic
journals of the East AT the same time
we recognized the fact that General Burn
side and, from him and other sources. the
President were likely to understand the
Situation" at the West, and the military
aesesSity at the present time for the arrest,
Deter than the people of the East Ow-
lng to organized, traitorous schemes of
Northwestern malcontents, it is possible
that Vallandigham's influence might now
be productive of more dirert mischief, than
OF indirect good in the manner suggested
sbove; in short, the law of self lfpreserva-
ton, applicable to nations. as well as in
ds'duals, may have imperativelv demand
- the arrest For this reason. we said
na' the people, recognizing the superior
'eans OF the President to full under
sandlng of the situation and his well |
AnoWn careful and lenient disposition
paid sustain bis decision when an |
nennced.
No one doubts that yallandigham real
y, If not legally, deserves his fate. The
tanger is in the establishment of bad pre-
coients.
he Washington correspondent of the
Aependeat says on this point:
III If General Burnside may with pro-
pety Ignore the civil courts in Ohio, so
@y Gen. Dix in New York, and the next
70 vii be, perhaps, the arrest of every
sntor IN New York who offends General
.&lleck by criticisms upon his course
must be remembered that it is the gen
lval who arrests, aokc is sole 5sdoe of the
The better course is to stick TO
aw and order, and in the peaceful States
: prosecute men in the civil courts for
ssAsonable acts. The experience of 1862
'estainly shows this"
~ is clear that nothing short of neces-
The prevention of palpable danger
Pc republic,-can justify the proceeding.
! this necessity exists in this case NAV
rue, even though not apparent to us.
oyal papers of the West, we observe,
rally approve of the arrest, and claim
their Eastern cotemporaries do not
rstand the entire situation. The Pres
"A must be presumed to know it; and
pre-, as we SAID in the outset, the
Will be content to leave the matter
plm' But indignation against cop
q mouthing of treason should not
''ie loyal press to omit a friendly
ng' when either a seemingly wrong
heht is about to be established, or a
policy pursued.