Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-03-18

nfOChlUatIrh at N.HdEiCslOu cHiiSu iron
the people to come with or without arms,
come W tn scythes, with fails. with any
thug to kill "a federal soldier. So here. in
this hand to hand fight for national life,
we have no time to examine closely
whether every blow that is given, be ac-
cording to the constitution. fit kill or
help to kill n traitor in arms, if it darken
the chances of southern success, and tends
thus to give preponderence to the Gov
ernmeut, we will settle this constitutional
scrape after the peace; when we shall
not be interrupted in our Investigations
bv lha roar of baltic, or seduced sway by
the sweet enchanlment Of drum and fife.
Jackson by prociaiming martha! law at
Nv Orleans, arresling editors ana
Judges and threatening to blow up tie
legislature, repealed threatened inva-
sion. preserved the sanctity of our soil
and supported The Constitution. But
YOU NAV say his was unconstitutional. |
suppose so: but was it not wise in that
emergency TO violate the form of the
constitution to preserve lis subs, ance,
The people so declared bv electinr Jack
son twice to the presidency against aII the
whig criticisms upon his so caIiei arbitra-
ry Illegal conduit. The principles hv
which our public men are to be Judged
are plain. If it was necessary. then it
WAS right, to suspend tbs ha5eas corpus.
If You think it was unnecessary in those
states where the courts were sitting, So
do !; if you think it was unwiso to sus-
pend the hobe0s corpus, which the
Anglo Saxon has always regarded as an
inviolation to revolt, so do |; but is this
the lime to enter into an al CRY conten-
ton with the government, upon this sub
iect. which will certainly weaken it, and
aid the rebellion. OF two evils. but one
of which cnn he corrected at the same
time, let Us by alI means first correct the
greater, There have not been five hun
dred per.ons summary arrested in all the
north. They have been confined in forts
and fed and clothed by the government
Compare the sum total IF their sufftrings
with the condition of five hundred thou
sand of our loyal men, whose blood is
daily sinking in southern soll, and cry
ing to heaven for vengeance upon
southern traitors and northern sympahi-
sers with treason. Let us rescue these
first. ut down the REBEL on, establish the
constitution: then we will attend To the
ease of tLese fat fellows 10 Fl. LAFAYETTE
and other healthy places Of restraint,
where they have been kept from danger.
perhcps from Tine and If it turn out
That they been unjustiy imprisoned, let us
make them ample restitution. and pun
sih those who imprisoned them. Con
side ring that nearly if not quite all who
have been arrested, havo been offered
their liberty upon merely taking the
oath of allegance, and have been detain
cd because they reiuc'd, their case,
Mouqh erceediHgiy interesting IN a
constitutional point Of rteag can await an
hour OF The breathing time of peace, for
liual adjustment.
?. These illegal arrests are very bad
but they fall only upon white men, and
that could be endured. But the uhI,ar-
douqh'o sin Of this administ,atl n, its
blasphemv against the holy ghost of poll
tics. is THE EMANCIPATIoN PROCLAMATION.
4 democrat might consent 10 be in,pris-
ned mseif, but it breaks his heart to
think n;geer may be free
Why, We are told hy men black in the
face with wrath, 1t IS unconstitutional
Well, that is my understand ng of it.
But after the best vestisatiop have
been able to give the subject. | am of
opinion that the rebellion is unconstitu-
tional also. If the plaintiff demur to nv
defence. may attack his statement of
action. and judgment must be given
upon the whole record. IF an accom-.
pI,he soldier be set upon by painted
savage at midnight, may not the soldier
defend himself by blow not taught by
the rules of arts If traitors attack the
government by unconstitutional means,
may not loyal men def nj it by the same
meanss Or does the constitution only tie
the hands Of its friends? No one iustifes
the proclamation except as m exercise of
the war power. In aud of iself it ac-
complishes nothing; il merely announces
the future military policy Of the govern
ment. when the war ceases, The war
power ceases with it: and the south can
return to their duty to day, and thus end
the war, and plead the constitution in
defence of themselves and their proper
ty.
The white population of the south is
under arms, and fed by crops raised by
slaves. Without this resource the REBEL.
ion could not sustain itself month If
lis provisions protect to the traitor the
only means he has for continuing the
struggle. then the constitution is giviao
aid ard comfort ia as Darn eaenatrs, and
ought to be sent 10 Fort LAFAYETTE for
treason. If one niger can be captured
and sent ont of the south, then one
Niger is withdrawn from aiding the re-
be.lion; and If proclamation can sedure |