The Placer herald., 1863-07-18
A REMARKABLE SPEECH,
BY Senator Trumbull, Of Illinois.

logg and Senator Doolittle, of Wisconsin, Hon.
Lyman Trumbull, Republican United States
Senator for Illinois, WAS introduced, and made \
speech, which seems to attact considerable atten.
tion.
Mr. Trumbull said: II is rather embarrassing z
to attempt to speak to an audience which insist
Ell on hearing some one else. but solemn convic-
tions of duty compelled him to speak, when
under ordinary circumstances he would have re-
manned silent. He did not come to nHame their
passlons already too much aroused. Their coun-
try was in danger and they must look the peril
in the face. No adjcctivcs he could pile up, no
vile names he could apply to those who do not
agree with him. calling them copperhcads and
traitors, would assist in arresting this rebellion
or in asserting the suprem cy Of the Constitution
and the laws. He did not wish TO inspire them
with hurrahs. but he wished to talk to their
judgments and inspire them through appeals TO
their reasons
The times he said, are grave! majority of
the people of our State are taking ground
against the AdministratOn-and why? In the
name of Heaven, why is this? will tell you
why; will point out to You some Of our mis-
takes, that they may be corrected in the future
The reason is, we have not adhered to David
Crocketts motto. BE sure you are right and
then go ahead" A voice-"We are always
right."] have lived long enough to know that
some respect for the opinion of others.
One OF our mistakes is that we have allowed
our opponents 10 make false issues. But this is
not the worst. The great charge, the charge
that has damaged the Administration above all
others, is that we are in favor of the exercise of
arbitrary power, that we are opposed 10 the
freedom oil speech and opinion. to the freedom Of
the press, in favor of curtaling personal liberty
and in favor Of a dcspotism. Now we should
not allow these things. We have been the advo-
cate Of free speech for the last forty years, and
should not allow the party during which the
whole time has advocated the gag to usurp our
place.
We are lighting for the restoration of the
Union and the preservation of the Constitution
and all the liberties is guarntecs to every citizen.
And it makes me feel bad when l hear some
honest friend, briming full of patriotism, say he
does not care for the Constitution and does not
want to have it forced in his way, or thrust in
his face until the war is over. The rebels cannot
thrust it in his face, for they have no rights
under it-no rights under it save the right to be
tried and hung for treason [Applausc.1
In certain districts the military law is supreme.
Gen. Grant is in command OF IN army in the State
OF Mississippi, which is in revolt Will any one
deny his light to make arrests his right to sup
press newspapers. and to level fire. like those
around you to light, in order to get range for
his guns? No. And yet these are all arbitrary
powers. But these exercises OF it are not the
troublesome cases. The great difficulty is in those
districts where rightiul civil government is in
operation; where the judicial tribunals are OPEN
and the laws respected-the laws which afford a
remedy Tor every wrong, AS rule, we must
remember that the civil law is superior to the
military law. and the cases are rare, very rare,
where the rule can be reversed. 1t here resolves
itself into the plain, naked question OF whether
the President and his Generals, by the simple
clicking Of telegraph instrument, can cause the
Imprisonment OF A, or c? II one General can
do ii another can do it, and where is the end?-
Who can fix the limit! (Great sensation and
murmurs.
DO you propose to interfere with the ballot
box? Cries OF MOT No! Never! Never!" from
all parts OF the meetng.] l am glad to hear
you say that, and glad you are so unanimous
Dit it ever occur TO you that the next election
may put an entirely different f,ce upon affairs!
The next election may bring great and depl0rable
changes. when Vallandg CHAM and men of his class
may determine who are to be arrested. [Cries
of mo! that can never be-" "Never, Never"
from all parts Of the crowd.] Well, gentlemen.
there is no use in closing your eyes to facts which
exist around you on every side told you
came here 10 address myself to your reason and
not to your passions, and in view of that light
l ask you who are being elected Governors of
loyal States, who compose majority OF the Leg
islature of the loyal State OF Illinois. and who
was recently elected mayor OF her principal and
most loyal city, and in view Of these facts, what
may the future not have in store! [Cres of
"Jennison," Music" 1--WE don't want to hear
you" ''You sent ~ telegram to the Presidcnt"1
know lam distasteiu but am not truthful! /
would claim your reason divested OF passion.
The same chalice you hold to the lips of your
aaversarles today, Tomorrow may be returned to
your lips? Would you like to drink Of it? Close
our eyes as we may there is no safety for u.s. no
safety for you and |, and every American citizen,
tlx.l
hcrence to the constitutional landmarks of our
Fathers. Further cries Of "Jennison," ""Music,"
and much dissatisfaction
You are wrong-it is your greatest and gravcst
mistake in allowing your adversares to place
you in the position OF being opposed to the Con-
stitution of the United States. [Cries lor "Jen-
niscn," and "give us somebody else.''] Isee that
am distasteful, but cannot help it, and will
not detain you long.
Who is there among you that does not believe
in adhering strictly to the Constitution in these
times, and extending to every citizen of The loyal
States its guarantees? Who among You is pre-.
pared to acknowledge your government is fail
ure! Who among you is prepared to say the
Constitution is fine thing for peace good
enough but when war comes it must be rolled
up and laid away? Or in other words Tor it
means the same-who among you is ready 20 sub
stitute the will and opinion of one man, who
may be another Vallandigham in place of the
Constitution AS the supreme law of the land?-
[Crics o. 1--WE don't want any more of that
WHATS that band for?''] Well, hear me through,
for will not be long and the questions before
you are Of so much Importance and gravity that
you should listen patiently and, not only that,
decide dispassionatcy.
The Constitution is broad. II grants all powers
necessary, even for the suppression of treason in
the North. [Applause.] Yes, gentlemen, it i,
just as binding upon the general in the field and
the civil officers of the nation as it is upon the
humblest citizen of the land. Has it come to
this that you will deny in the fee city Of Chicago
the right Of ~ citizen to discuss the acts OF the
President? [Cries OF ave won't allow It, and
"Nonc but copperheads do that, and we will stop
themN] Is there man in this audience who has
not expressed to-day his dissatisfaction with some
act Of the President? [CYies Of "Yes." Yes, y
"We have none Of us expressed any dssatisfac'
tlon."] All, do all Of you, then, think the Presi'
denis revocation Of Gen. Burnside's order, sup
pressing the Chicago Times, was right tCries
OF mol" "No!" 1T was wrong!" "he ought to
have enforced the orJer!''] Then you all deserve
to be taken in hand by the military power and