The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1863-04-04

= Late senator Pearco.
y The following letter from ex Presider
q Pierce to the late Senator Pearce OF Ne,
: Hampshire, in regard 10 arbitrary arrest,
e has never before been published. The 20
: slion assumed BY the ex Presi6en ut is ms a !
and decided. and leaves no ground for doup,
\ CoScoRD. n. H.. January Is. 1862.
\ MY DEAR Sir: read With unusual inter
lest and satisfaction the debate which occur
Ired 10 the Senate on the 10Th ult.. upon III,
resolution Of Mr.. TrumbuIl. and desire I,
express my thsnks for the sentiments en-.
thoughts which the occasion ELECTED from
you. My convictions and sympsihies ar,
with you through, when you say. Il do OF
believe that imprisonment upon letters de
caches1 promotes the purposes Of those who
desire TO see this Unisn Brought together
sgain-sn object. Of eli Others. to me the
most desirable. il il be possible.
10 my estimsiion. the mover Of this in
quiry deserves the gratitude Of teemen
every where. and only ut:ers truth With force
when be declares that "the power without
charge. without examination. withou. op-
portuni,y Of reply. st The click Of the teIe-
graph, TO arrest man in peaceable por-
'ion Of the country and imprison him, 10 Of
the essence Of despotism !" And YET the
public mind would seem thus far to have
been scarcely more aroused BY current
events Of this character than 1t was, years
ago, when we received accounts Of similar
ordered BY the father Of the
now deposed king Of the two Scilies. How
incredible II will appear hesesfter, when
history shall be written up. sha, st this Pc
riod Of the Republic. the constitutional safe
guards Of personal liberty could have been
30 essily and with 90 little apparent concern
swept away.
The Secretary Of State. On the Goth ult i
Our days after the debate in which you par-
icpated. addressed IN Official note 20 me.
which seems 70 illustrate ia . striking man
'er the slieht grounds. or rather the ground
ess susPicions. upon which in thess times
'i'zens are liable to suffer in reputation. ifl
lot 10 loss Of liberty. IrepIied without de-
~ and 90 far ss am personally affected.
nay, trust win, leave tne matter in quiet
less upon the files Of the department. III
ny belief, however. that no recen, meas
rec have been fraoght with more mischief
han the issuing Of letters de cschet, and
onsequent arrests and imprisonment, in
iolstion Of the provisions Of the Constitu.
on; and the earlier the system 10 effecsu-
ny checked the better Il will for the Gov L
rnment and the country, a. well % for the
ntjecis Of oppression. The evidence i.li
bundsnt to show that the plea Of necessity
xcept 10 the presence or immediate neigh
orhood Of hostile armies. where the admin
irstion Of law under the usual forms NAV X
inevitably suspended. i not erseiously
rcePted BY the mass Of the people. Union
iihout security for personal liberty is no,
e Union which they hsve cherished and 70
e restoration Of which they look withI
'rnest desire and hope.
Nothing. perhsps. couk express more 4
early their views on this point than the q
ngusge Of the great modern historian, who o
ed a comparatively recent period. lesv 4
g his work incomplete. In tracing the d
'ccsssive steps in the progress OF British q
'erty. Nr. Mscsulsy says: I've have been q
ught. By long experience. that We cannot q
iihout danger suffer sny breach Of The 9
TO pass unnoiiced." "As We 9
noo', without the risk Of evils from which g
'agins'ion recoils. employ physicsl force ,
acheek on misgovernmens. Il 10 evidently 8
= wisdom 70 keep al constitutional checks Y
misgoveFnment in the highest state oil
lciency-so watch with Jealousy The iirss Z 4
ginning Of encroachment. and never 20
ner irregularities, even when harmless ID
emselves. 70 pass unchsIlenged, lee. they !,
quire the force Of precedents.' Who il
land will sfirm that any other doctrine y
worthy Of those who hold their rights IN. 4
solemn written chsrteri II Il chez.
70 know thss inquiry has been moved|f y
che right quarier, and that able and fear !.
. men are stirred BY sense or what Il !,
70 our fellow -citizeDs, Who have been
prisoned withou, explanation; and. veil.
're, such . are still 10 confinemep, spd e
'c'uded by guards and prison bol,s fromlr rs
, privilege Of the great writ Of libe,,v ,.Irs