New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1863-05-29
81 kYMOUk o. - A
REST OF VALLANDIGHA AM.

GOVERNOR SE YMOUN ~ - As>.
REST OF vALLANDIGHAM.
The following is the letter of Cover
nor Seymour to the Albany meeting
on the arbitrary and illegal arrest Of
Mr.. Vallandigham. This letter enun-
ciates sound principles of Constitution
al liberty and breathes tho spirit Of
patriotism in every sentiment it expires
ses. 1t would sound upon the ears of
tyrants who are goaaing the people in
to revolution with terror which will
make them tremble for the manifold
crimes they have committed against the
liberties Of the people. This is the let
ter:
EXECUTIVE Dept, May 16.
cannot attend the meeting at the
Capitol this evening, but I wish to state
my opinion in regard to the arrest Of
Mr.. Vallandigham. 1t is an act which
has brought dishonor upon our country.
1t is full of danger to our persons and
our homes. 1t bears upon it's front
conscious violation Of law and justice.
Acting upon the evidence of detailed
informers, shrinking from the light Of
day, in the darkness of nj ght, armed
men violated the house of an American
citizen and furtively bore him away to
military trial, conducted without those
safeguards known to the proceedings of
our judicial tribunals. The transaction
involved series of offenses against our
most sacred rights. 1t interfered with
the freedom of speech ; it molested our
rights to be secure in our homes against
unreasonable searches and seizures i l.
pronounced Sentence without trial, save
one which was a mockery, which in
suited as we'll as wronged. The perpe-
traitors now seek to impose punishment,
not for an offense against law but for
the disregard Of an invalid order. nnr
forth in the utter disregard of the prin-
ciple of civil liberty. If this proceed
ing is approved by the Government,
and sustained by the people, it is not
merely step toward revolution-it is
revolution /; it Will not only lead to mill
tary despotism-it establishes military
despotism. In this aspect it must be
accepted or in this aspect rejected. If
it is upheld, our liberties are over
thrown !; the safety of our person and
security of our property will hereafter
depend upon tho arbitrary will of such
military rulers as may be placed over
us, while cur constitutional guarantees
will be broken down. Even now the
governors and courts of some Of the
great Western States have sunk into
lnsignifcance before the despotic pow
ers claimed and exercised by military
men who have been sent into their bor-
ders. It is fearful thing to increase
the danger which now overhangs us by
treating the law, the judiciary and the
State authorities with contempt. The
people of this country now wait with
the deepest anxiety the decisions of the
administration upon theseacts. Having
given it a generous support in the con-
duct ofthe war, we pause to see what
kind of government it is, for which we
are asked to pour out our blood and
our treasures. The action of the ad-
minlstration will determine in the
minds of more than one-half Of the peo-
pie of the loyal States whether this war
is waged to put down rebellion at the
South or destroy free institutions at the
North. We look for it's decision with
most solemn solicitude.
(SigneaD HoRATO SEYMOUR.
GEN. HASCALL AGAIN.
His Correspondence wiM the NJ Y. Express.