Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-06-26

anything else now, sitting with Republican
and all united in their opposition to maxim
REPUBLICAN nominations. By the unanlmou
voice Of the convention, Union was substit,
ted for Republican. We shall be victoriou
in October, but we can gain victory only b
toll and effort. Friends, forward to the wor
of rebuking treason! Let no man rest.
The President On Arbitrary Ar
| rests.
President Lincoln's reply to the resolution
of the public meeting held at Albany, N. Y,
with regard to arbitrary arrests by militar,
authority, and at the same time expressin,
their determination to sustain the Admins
traton in lawful and constitutional measures
to suppress the rebellion, is triumphan
vindication of the policy of the Government
on this question. We are sorry our limited
space will not permit US to print it entire
The following extract, however, concerning
Vallandigham's case, is the result Of the en-
tire argument. Mr.. Lincoln, in referring tc
the resolution, says:
"Thc meeting indicate their opinion that
military arrests may be constitutional in the
States where rebellion actually exists, but
that such arrests are unconstitutional in To-
calities where rebellion or insurrection does
not actually exist. They insist that such ar
rests shall not be made outside of the lines of
necessary military occupation and the scenes
of insurrection. Inasmuch, however, as the
constitution itself makes no such distinction,
| am unable to believe that there is any such
constitutional distinction. concede that the
class of arrests complained of, can be consti-
tutional only when, in cases of rebellion or
invasion, the public safety may require them,
and insist that in such cases they are con-
stitutional whenever the public safety does
require them, as well in places to which they
may prevent the rebellion extending as in
those where it may be already prevailing; as
we'll where they may restrain mischievous in
reference with the raising and supplying of
armies to suppress the rebellion as where
the rebellion may actually be; as well where
they may restrain the enticing men out of the
army as where they would prevent mutiny in
the army; and equally constitutional at all
places where they will conduce to the public
safety as against the dangers of rebellion or
invasion, like the particular cases mentioned
by the meeting. 1t is asserted, in substance,
that Mr.. V. was, by military commander,
seized and tried for no other reason than
words addressed to public meeting in criti-
cism of the course of the Administration,
and in condemnation of the military orders
of the General. Now, if there be no mistake
about this, If this assertion is the truth and
the whole truth, if there was no other reason
for the arrest, then concede the arrest was
wrong; but the arrest, as understand, was
made for very different reason. Mr.. VAL
andigham avows his hostility to the war on
the part of the Union, and his arrest was
made because he was laboring with some ef-
feet to prevent the enlisting of troops, to en-
courage desertion from the army, and to
cave the rebellion without an adequate mill
.ary force to suppress it. He was not ar
rested because he was damaging the politi-
cal prospects ofsthe Administration or the
personal interests Of the commanding Gen
eral, but because he was endangering the
army, upon the existence and vigor of which
The life Of the nation depends. He was war
ing upon the military, and this gave the mil
tary constitutional jurisdiction to lay hands
lpon him. If Mr.. V. was not damaging the
military power of the country, then his ar
-est was made on mistake-a fact which l
would be glad to correct on reasonable and
evidence. understand the meet
ng adopted resolutions in favor of the sup
preston of the rebellion by military force
md by armies. Long experience has shown
hat armies cannot be maintained unless de-
,ertion shall be punished by the severe pen
llty of death. The case requires, and the
aw and the Constitution sanction this pun
shment. Must shoot simple-minded SOL
lier boy who deserts, while must not touch
/ hair of willy agitator who induces him to
1esert? This is none the less injurious when
Effected by getting father, or brother, or
riend into public meeting, ard there work.
ng upon his feelings till he is persuaded to
write the soldier boy that he is fighting in a
BAD cause, and for weak Administration of
contemplate Government, too weak to ar
est and punish him if he shall desert. 1
hink that, in such a case, to silence the agit-
'tor and save the boy is not only constitn-
;onal, but withal, great mercy.
After reviewing the suspension of the
sa6eas corpus by Gen. Jackson, the Presi-
lent says: - ..-
"And yet, let me say that, in my own dis
,retion, do not know whether I would have
ordered the arrest of Vallandigham. While
cannot shift the responsibility from myself,
hold that, rs a general rule, the commander
n the field is the better judge of the neces-
'ity in any particular case. Of course I
must practice general directory ard reviso-
y power in the matter. One Of the resolu
ions expresses the opinion of the meeting
hat arbitrary arrests will have the effect to
liyide and distract those who should be
United in suppressing the rebellion, and am
specifically called on to discharge Mr.. Val
andigham. regard this act as at least
air appeal to me on the expediency of ex-
,rcising constitutional power which think
Exists. In response to such appeal have to
say that it gave me great pain when | learn
vas panied that there should have seemed to
De necessity for arresting him-and that it
will afford me great pleasure to discharge
him so soon as can by any means believe
he public safety will not suffer by it,
The Republican State Convention.
The Convention which assembled at Des-
nones last Wednesday, for the purpose of
candidates for State officers, was
the largest ever held in the State. There
were about seven hundred delegates present.
The greatest enthusiasm prevailed through
,ut.
Joshua Tracy, Of Burlington, was chosen
L. H. Smith, of Kossuth, j. H.
Knox, of Warren, and s. F. Sherman, of