Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-08-21
THE DRApT IN NEW YoRx,

THE DRAFT IN NEW YORK.
! On being informed that the draft woult
certainly be enforced In New York City, ant
finding that his efforts to have the conscrip
ton deferred till its constitutionality coult
be decided on by the courts were all without
avail, Gov. Seymour issued the following
proclamation
| Kxscurrv1 CAAxlsl, Aug -.
! have received information that the draft
is about to be made in the city Of New York
and Brooklyn, and understand that there
is danger Of dsorderly and riotous attacks
upon those who are engaged in executing thu
law of Congress. / cannot believe that any
considerable number of citizens are prepared
to renew the awful and sad scenes o. the
past month, in which the lives Of so many
as well Of the innocent a. of the guilty,
were destroyed. Our Courts are consigning
to severe punishment, many Of those who
were then guilty Of acts destructive to the
lives and property Of their fellow citizens
These events should teach al, that real or
imaginary evils cannot be corrected by vic.
lence. The liberties of our country and the
rights Of our citizens are prescribed by just
regard for legal obligations and AGO uiesencs
in the decision Of judicial tribunals. While
believe it would have been wise and hu-
name policy to have procured Judicial de.
cision with regard to the constitutionality Of
the conscription act at IN early day and by .
summary process, yet the failure to do so in
no degree justities any violent opposition to
an act Of Congress, and until it il set aside
by the decision of the Judicial tribunals, it
must be obeyed, like any other enactment of
the National Legislature. The antagonistic
doctrine that men may rightfully resist laws
opposed to their own ideas Of right and duty,
has not only led to great disorder and vio-
lence, but is one Of the chief causes Of the
distinctions of civil war, which has wasted
the blood and treasure of our people. Dis
regard for the sacredness Of the Constitution,
for the majesty of the law and Cor the de-
cisions Of the Judiciary, is at this time. the
greatest danger which threatens American
liberty. This spirit Of disloyalty must be
put down. It is inconsistent with social order
and social security, and dangerous to persons
and property, and subversive of the liberty
Of the citizens and the freedom of the nation
Those who fear that there are designs in
any quarter to overthrow che rights Of the
citizens or to obstruct the accustomed ad-
ministration of our laws. or to usurp any
power in violation of constitutional restraints
should bear in mind that all acts Of violence,
all public outrages, pave the way for these
very suspensions, and that they will be re.
garded with satisfaction by those, who, for
any cause may wish to destroy either the
power or rights of our nation or State. The
constitution and statutes Of the State and
nation contain ample remedies for all wrongs
which may be committed, either by rulers or
citizens, and those who wish to preserve
their rights or to punish offenders, whether
in public or private life, should themselves
carefully perform their duties, abstain from
all illegal acts, and then calmly and resolutely
claim their rights. again repeat the warn
ing which gave to you during the riotous
proceedings of the past month: that the on
ly opposition to the constitution which can
be allowed, is an appeal to the courts. I
hereby admonish all judicial and executive Of
icers, whose duty it is to enforce the law
and preserve public order, that they take
vigorous and effective measures to put down
any riotous or unlawful assemblages, and if
they find their power insufficient for that
purpose, to call upon the military in the man.
ner pointed out by the statutes of the States.
If these measures should prove Intellectual,
shall then exert the full power of the State
in order that the public order may be pre-.
served and the persons and property Of the
citizens be fully protected.
tslgned3 HoRAr1o SEYMOUR.