Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-06-11
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Mess meetings continue to be held at different places
the North TO protest against the arrest and banhment
OF Mr. Vasndieham, and IN sndication generally Of the
constitutions privilege OF free discussion and ess press
la the newspapers before find notices Of some
half dozen such meetings which have been held within the
past week to give summary Of which would exceed
the limits of unappropra,ed space. 1t is sufc emit
to say that their proceedings of the character
the earlier meetings held the subject several of
which noticed in of the 22d uimo. We ad-
to them at this time only for the purpose Of noduc.
ing to readers the following letters from distinguished
gentlemen holding important positions in the service of
their respective Saiesthe first letter being from Gov.
PARKER of New Jersey to the meetiag held Saturday
last at Newark, in that State, and the second from Mr.
Senator BUCKALEw of Pennsy the meeting held
on Monday last at Philadelphia
letter from Governor Parker.
FREEHOLD, MAY 80 1868
GENTLEMEN: Official engagements will not permit me
to be Mt Newark tomorrow
My views upon the subject of arbitrary aud illegal ar
rests have heretofore been fully and emphacay express
ed Sub equent events have confirmed and 4treng
them The recent arrest If citizen of Ohio by military
authority and his trial and sentence by military court
arbitrary and illegal acts The whole procee ding
wrong in principle and dangerous in it's tendency. The
quefon is not whether the sentiments expressed Mr.
Valahdgham in reference to the and it's prosecution
were right wrong, whether by the expression Of
those sentiments he became amenable TO the law. The
great question s whether the tribunal that assumed 10
raign him and dispose Of his personal liberty lawful
tribunal having jurisdiction of the offence; or in other
words whether in State not occupied by hostile armies
where martial law does not exist and where the courts
are III nndstutbed operation citizen not connected with
the military naval service can lawfully be spirited away
at night BY the strong arm of military power subjected
the summary proceedings Of secret military court and
exiled from his home. They who differ from the opinions
expressed by Mr. Valandgham and they who agree with
him equally interested 10 the question If the right of
trial BY jury Of his peers in open court in the presence
ia ha tab tho
shall be Substituted the e1pa,e examination of secret
courtmsrtia then indeed will live under military des
potism. aud our boasted liberty be but name.
The people have the right to assemble and discuss ques
lions Of public policy Without free discussion republic
can Government cannot long exist. They who 10
thort are the servants of the people, and should
Father than the free expression Of opinion
Otherwise the Government cannot truly represent the
Pc The language Of Mr. Webster expresses my sent
ments upon the right OF free discussion bsr than any
form words Of my and therefore 81 III adopt hi,
language
II the ancient and ndubabe prerogavs of this pc
pie to public measures and the merits of public
the right Of breathing the air walking the earth Be
longing private life as right belongs to gSsie life as
sutional privilege shall defeud aud exercise at all times
This is the crisis Of the nations life Let no one seek
to bend this question to serve personal partisan
ends Candid men of all parties must coldemn the
to which ausiOn has been made This is the time FIR The
exercise of lofty patriotism 1t duty to transmit
to poserty the free institutions bequeathed by fathers
While maintaining the right let US be calm and disposition
ate Let wrong drive from the path of duty Let
us observe every requirement OF law
The protests of the people being made in every
loyal State should not be mistaken for rts embart
those who administer the Government. They proceed
from such motive The people loyal to the Govern
meat. They have sacrificed much, and prepared e.
make still greater sacrifices to suppress the beon and
maintain the unity and integrity of the Government They
love the Union and will not its dissolution
They not fault fud-rs They make factious Oppo
ston With hope long deferred they i'll do not comp
n regard to matters comparatively inmateral but The
question now engrcs.ing the public mind is vital one,
lying at the found alton of Government and they would be
degenerate and unworthy their lineage did they protest
The Union will be Of little value if in restoring it lose
our Liberties Yours respectfully,
JOEL PARKER.
To F w LEONARD, Esq, and others, Committee.
Letter from Mr. Senator Buckdlep.