Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-25

and exemption from search, seizure or imprison-
ment, except by due process of lJw. All this has
been denied Fallandigham. and it is for the pur
pose of protesting against this assumption of des-
potic power. that we are assembled. We have
nothing to do with the question whether Vallan-
digham was right or wrong in his political prin-
ciples. We know that his arrest and detention
is unwarranted, and it is with these that We have
to deal. The writ of habeas corpus was applied
for and argued before a Judge, on which occa-
sion Burnside claimed the right of governing the
people OF Ohio by an iron military rule.
He Judge P.) called upon his hearers to re-
member that what has happened to Val.andigham
may happen to any of them, unless the usurpation
is promptly checked by the voice of the people.
This was not the first illegal and unconstitutional
arrest that had occurred. Within the past two
wears peaceable and loyal citizens of our own
State have been arrested without charge and i'm
prisoned without indictment or trial, and in pal
pable violation of that Constitution which the
men who are responsible for those arrests have
sworn to observe and maintain. THE arrests of
Judge Flanders ard his brother, and Of Rev. Mr..
Benedict were here particularly alluded to- He
asked them whether our flag was worth all the
great sacrifices that we have made in its behalf,
and which we are willing and ready to continue
to the end. if those in charge of the Government
fail to secure to us the rights which make us free
men, and for which our fathers fought?
Unless these are saved to US, it will be worth
less, and all our efforts TO put down this rebellion
will have been in vain. We may as we'll live
under the Gear of Russia-under the most des-
pOtic Government in the world, as to live here
without protection in these respects. Is there any
reason to hope that these usurpations are to close?
Looking at this vast assemblage, be felt that
there was hope-for he saw in their faces a calm,
4 firm determination tn maintain tho Copsfitntinp
and the laws. 1t is evident that here. at least, no
military or civil despot can rule. We stand upon
the Constitution and the laws, and shall insist
upon their observance by those n power, whether
high or low, as well as by the poorest and hum
blest private citizen.
This is our position; and unless we had taken
this manly stand tonight we would soon find
these encroachments stealing along until we we're
under a monarchy, or still worse, a dictatorship.
Abiding to the key of the bastile. which Lafay-
cite had presented to Washington after that pris.
on had been destroyed by the French populace.
the speaker said that none would have believed
the day would ever arrive when an American
fortress, named after that French General who
had fought with our fathers, to secure to US the
liberties of freemen, would be converted into "A
similar prison. We are the friends of law and
order. We insist that the laws shall be enforced.
If any man is guilty of an offense against the
Government. known to the laws, indict him, try
him, hang him, if his crime calls for the extreme
penalty. This is all we ask.
The long and tedious imprisonments which so
many truly loyal citizens have undergone, with
out charge of crime, without opportunity of de-
Tense or trial, without the privilege of the habeas
cOrpus-it is . repetition of the French bastile
system, when men were seized without cause or
warrant. and were forced to languish for wears in
prison. without knowing of what they were ac-
cused or who were their a~ccusers; il is a repeti
ton of the despotsm i'm Naples, under Bomba.
But | tell you it will not be tolerated here. 1t
Is no answer to say this in time of war and rebel
lion. These rights belong to the poorest as well
as to the richest and most powerful. Although
n rebellion exists that taxes all our energies to
suppress. it is no excuse for arbitrary arrests here,
where all the courts are ~open-where the machin-
cry of the law is ample. When they can seize
men as Vallandighsm was seized. there can be
no question as to guilt or innocence. for there is
no constitutional way left open by which it can
be determined.
Judge Parker expressed qualification at the
fact that the prominent administration papers
joined with the Democratic organs, and Demo
cratic party, in condemning these arbitrary AR
rests. be appealed To his audience to stand firm
and united IN condemnation OF these usurpations:
to stand firm for the freedom of speech and the
freedom of the press. and the sacredness of the
person from arrest without due process of law;
for if these rights be lost. all that is worth living
for under our form of government will be gone.
Is the Government unsafe or imperriled because
the people discuss the pulicv of those who ad
minister i2 Certainly not. Nor should the Gov
eminent forget where the remedy lies. It is in
the ballot box, whereby we can peacably and con
stitutionaliy revolutiOnize the country.
In closing, Judge P. counSelled respect for all
in authority, a careful observ of the laws,
forbearance, submission, if need be. for a time:
but also n watchful, Jealous guard against EN-
croachments upOn the rights OF the citizen. He
sincerely trusted that the voice of the people,
on these questions, would be heard and needed
at Washington; for ii it is, it will arrest those
madmen who seek to tear from US our rights
and our liberties
EXTRACTS FROM HON. FRANCIS KERNAN'S SPEECH.
The question for us to decide, is. whether we
are worthy of our fathers, and whether we will
secure to our children the blessings which we
have enjoyed through their efforts and sacrifices
We will hest erince our worthiness of these bless
ings by that calm aid manly bearing. in these
times of excitement. which shows that we are ca
pable of COVE. ming ouI selves and our country.
/ If there H. u man here who hopes to see the land
restored to peace-if he hopes to see our free in
~stitutions maiutained-if he hopes that his chill
dren NAV enjoy them, | ask him to be calm, cool
and determined now; nothing less can save them.
Let us prove our worthineSs OF these blessings by
evincing that noble and manly American spirit
which invites. rather than shirks from a calm and
frank discussion Of questions at issue-each one
respectfully listening To the other, and The will of
the majority to be the law ofall. II we give way
to passion and violence all will be lost. ! will
give more for the calm, patient voice of the peo-
pie. than for all the violence of which the most
vicious are capable.
The people of Ohio met as you meet to night.
There a citizen was expressing his views upon
public affairs, rs he had n right to do; and for
this he has been arrested and denied the dearest
rights guaranteed him under the Constitution.
There was no insurrection there; no rebellion;
No military occuimtion; and if he offended
against the laws the courts were open, to deter
mine his offense and administer punishment.
Hence there is no excuse for the wrong done him.
All we ask is that all men shall stand by the law.
| will ever stand by the courts in the enforce
ment of the law, and | know that nv hearers here
tonight will do the same. But in this instance
no law was violated. We are not here either to
defend or attack the principles of Vallandigham,
but to discuss whether in States where there is no
Instruction or rebellion, but where all are peace
ably pursuing their ordinary avocations, the citi-
zen has no protection against such arbitrary ar
rests as this. IL he has none. then it was in vain
that our fathers fought to secure to US the rights
of freemeI and protect our liberties. Let us not
forget our rights in the madness of these danger
Gus times. Is il true that in our land there is no
protection against dangers such rs those? If it is
done in Ohio, it can be done here tCries of No,
no
Ii, in Ohio. a man guilty OF no crime. can be