Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-01-21

CLEARtIELD, PA w
ton be held inyiolue, but the rights o
States must be respected as not less sa-
cred. There are differences Of opinion ai
? to the dividing limo between State unC
National Jurisdictions, but there can b,
none AS 10 the existence Of such separate
Jurisdictions, each covering subjects OF
Legislation and Juisprudeuco cssen,iN 10
the public security and welfare. A con,
solidatad government IN this vast country
would destroy the essential hJtneNrIghts
aud Liberties Of the people 'Iha soycr,
eighties of the States, except as they are
limited by The Constitution, can never be
given up. Without them our govern
ment cannot stand. IL was mado and il
C, be changed by State agency. This is
shown by the following provisions Of tho
instrument itself;-
"Thc ratifcatian Of the Conventions of nine
States shall be sufficient to the establishment Of
this Constitution between the States 50 ratiiying
the same
Again, three-fourths of the States can
add TO or take away from the powers OF
the General Government, by dem ~nding a
convention in which amendments can be
proposed, which, if hatfield by three
iourths Of the Stat, become parts Of the
Constitution.
While they can thus take away or add
to its power, the General Government can
in no way touch one right OF the States or
invade their jurisdiction.
The obligations which rest upon the
L.
and authorities Of the General Govern
meut, also demand that the General Gov
ernment shall show equal respect for the
rights and constituted authorities Of
States.
/ To State legislation and authorities, we
look for the good order OF society, the Sc,
curity of lite aud property, the protection
/ Cf our homes and all that is nearest and
dearest to u.s. in the relationo duties and
actions of life. Is is dangerous and de.
Imolaliziug to show contempt for State au-
( tholitia aud laws, 1t undermipes alike
! the foundations Of State and National
4 Government, by breaking up the social
system. If home laws are not respected,
/ The more general authority will not be re-
! garded.
Arbitrary Arres'S.
! Our people have therefore viewed with
alarm, practices and preteutions on the
rart OF officials, which violate every prn,
ciple of good order of civil liberty, and cf
constitutional law. 1t is claimed that in
time OF var, the President has powers As
him 10 Gie! diGt!fs9 aF 9RE eE EhhiGh
only within the sphere Of hostile moves
n,euts. where other law cannot be enforcN
ed but also over our whole land. That
at his pleasure lie can disregard not only
the statutes OF Congress, but the decisions
of the National Judiciary. That IN loyal
States the least intelligent class OF officials
may Ue clothed with power not only 10
act as spies and informers, but also, with.
out due process of law, TO seize and i'm
prison our ctizons, and carry them be-
yond the limits of the State, to hold them
in prisons without hearing or knowi-
edge of the offences with which they are
charged Not only the passions and pre-
iudices of these inferior agents lead them
to acts OF tyranny, but their Interests are
advanced and their positions secured 10y
promoting discomfort and discord. Even
10 ask the aid of counsel has been held to
be an oaeuce. 1t has been well said that
'to be arrested for one knows not what; ;
to be- confined, no one entitled 10 ask
whore to be tried, no one can say when,
bv a law nowhere known or established :
or to liuger out life in & cell without iHal,
presents body oi tyranny which cannot
be enlarged
/ The supyretsion of journals and the im.
prisonmeut OF persons have been gluing-
I iy partisan, allowing to some tue utoosl
, hcsntOusness OF CIdc sn, and punishlng
others for the lair exercise ol the rgh, q
discussion. Conscious Of these gro ayu'
ses, an attempt hes been made 70 Sr!eIi
the yiolutors oiiaw and suppress enquiry
into their motives and conduct. This at
tempt will fail. Unconstitutional acts
cannot be shielded ny unconstitutional
laws. Such attempts will not save tue
guilty, while they will bring just con-
demuation upon those who try to pcryert
the powers Of legislation to the purposes
of oppression, To justify such action by
lprecedents drawn from the practice OF
governments where there Is no restraint
upon legislative power, will be OF no avail
under our system, which restrains The
Government and protects the citizens by
written Constitutions.
shall not enquire what rights States in
rebellion have forfeited, but deny that
this rebellion can suspend a single right
OF the citizens of loyal States, l denouncc
the doctrine that civil war in the South
takes away som the loyal North the ben
efts of one principle OF civil liberty.
/ lis a high crime to abduct citizen oi
this State. 1t is made my duty by the
Constitution to see that the laws are en-
forced. | shall Investigate every alleged
/ violation of our statues, and see that Of.
Tenders are brought to justice Sherils ans
District Attorneys are admonshed that il
is their duty TO take care that no person
within their respective counties are i'm
prisoned, nor carried by force beyond
their limits, without due process of lega
authority. The removal to England o
persons charged with offence, away from
/ their friends, their witnesses and mean'
or J,Fapca vos nnn of The acts of tyranny