The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-26
"oapital and Infamous crimes" The

"Capltal ana INFAMOUS crimes" The
Presidents argument resembles very much
that of jealous abolitionist whom we
heard defending arrests without proper
warrant: "Ah," said he, "that provision of
the Constitution has no application to the
case we have in hand; these arrests are
made without any warrant at ALL"
The President says that the friends of
traitors and spies would make question
as to Dho was to suspend the writ of hd-
beaS corpus. We have always thought
that question quite as dear to patriots
as to any other class of citizens, and as
we do not suppose there is any serious
question about it, we will merely suggest
that it is very improbable that when the
Barons of England wrested the privilege
of this writ from the executive of that
country, as safeguard against his arbit-
rary encroachments upon their liberty,
they at the same time allowed him the
power to suspend it at pleasure, or under
any conceivable circumstances But, then
perhaps he was not as honest as our chief
magistrate.
While struggling to convince us
that he is acting in constitutional
manner in taking the law away from the
courts and administering it himself, the
President draws upon his ample experience
for a precedent, and cites those we'll known
cases of lynching horse thieves, which oc-
CURED in his own State some years ago,
and in which it is probable he participated.
This happy illustration is aptly accompa-
MED by a vulgar pun on the slang phrase
hanging a jury most propably suggest
i've of similar personal experiences. After
this candid admission that his admniStra-
ton is modelled upon the Lynch law Of H.
linois, we will never doubt his honesty, al
though we may accuse him of inconsis-
tency.
1t is a pleasing reflection for American
citizens, that if the distillers of Pennsylva-
MIA, or the miners of California, or the cit
liens of any other class Or locality should
rebel against the laws OF the United States,
or the Sioux Indians should invade Mime
sofa, the whole length and breadth of the
land Immediately becomes subject to the
military dictation of the President, who
may hang them as he did the horse thieves
of Illinois, or Danish them as he did Mr..
VALLANDIGHAM of Ohio Yet this is his
view Of the constitution.
In speaking of the resolutions emanat-
ing from the democrats, Mr. LINCOLN says,
In this time of national peril, would
have preferred to meet you upon a level
one step higher than any party platform. 3"
1t is gratifying, indeed, to learn that the
President has at last awakened to real
izing sense that country is above party.
After so long receiving the Chicago plat
form as a Claw unto him." and endeavor-
ing to prove that, "a party that can elect
a President, can govern the country" it
must be refreshing to Democrats, at least,
to learn that party rule is to cease, and
be succeeded by an impartial admins
tration of affairs We may soon look for
the arrest of BEEoHER and GREELEY-the
former bold critic of the war policy of
the administration, and the latter peace
man on any terms by the first of May.
The President is equally unfortunate in
his citation of GEN. JACKsON's action at
New Orleans, to sustain his arbitrary acts
in the peaceful states. From his own re-
cital of the facts (not strictly accurately, he
shows that New Orleans was within the
military lines that the British were on
the Southern coast, that no news of peace
had been received, and that martial law
properly existed. If GEN JACKSON refused
to obey the writ of AuIeus cOyp'ls under
these circumstances, as detailed by the
President, he certainly did not offend ser
lousy against the constitutional liberty Oh
the citizen. Yet the court fined him one
thousand dollars for contempt of the writ.
If under such circumstances GEN. JACK
son was fined one thousand dollars, what
is in store for Nh. LINCOLN when his con-
duct shall pass undor judicial scrutiny?
1t is by such nonsense as is contained in
this letter of Mr. LINcoIN's that tie rights
of citizens are being talked away and joked
away If not viglant, the people will yet
awake to knowledge that no mans hon
esty," is as safe protection to liberty as
the written guarantees Of constitutional
law.
A New and Important Arrangement
for the Protection of the Frontier.
We understand that E. A. @. HATCH,