Washington telegraph., 1863-08-26

thence to mock military trial; there CON-
demhed, aud then baniShed as felou for
the exercise Of his rights7 This j, the
issue; you have npbly met t. 1t il the
very question of free, popular government
itself. 1t is the whole question; upon one
side. liberty; on the other, despotisn.
The President as the recognized head Of
his party, accepts the issue. Whatever
he wills, that is law. Constitutions,
States and Federal, are nothing; acts Of
legislation nothing; the judiciary less than
n thing. la Il he of war there j. bat one
will supreme, his will; but one aw-mili-
fary necessity, and lie the sole Judge.
Military orders supercede the constitu-
ton, aud military commissions usurp the
places If the Ordinary courts Of Justice in
the land Nor are these mere idle claims.
For two years aud more they have been
enforced Ii was the mission of the weak
but presumptuous Burnsids-a name ir-
| famous forever in the ears of all lovers of
constitutional liberty-to try the expert
ment IN Ohio, aided by judge whom 4
name not, because he has brought foul
dishouor upon the judiciary of my coun.
Try 10 your hands now, men Of Ohio, is
the hnal issue Of the experiment. The
party Of the administration have accepted
IL. BY pledging support TO the Presi-
dent they have justified his outrages upon
liberty aud the constitution; aud whoever
gives bis vote for the candidates Of that
party, commits himself to every act of
violence and wrong on the p. 1T Of the ad-
ministration which he upholds, and thus,
by the law Of retaliation, which is the Il "
Of might, would fairly forfeit his own right
TO liberty, personal and political, whenss-
ever other men and another party shall
hold the power. Much more do the car :
didstes themselves. Suffer them not, l
eatreat you, TO evade the issue, and by
the judgment of the Pc pie we will abide
Aud now. fnally, let me ask, what is
the pretext for all the monstrous acts aud
claim. Of arbitrary powers which you have
50 boldly and nobly denounced7 Mill.
tary necessity" But if, indeed, all these
be demanded BY military necessity, then,
believe me, your liberties are gone, and
tyranny is perpetual. For, if this civil
var is to terminate only by the subjuga-
ton or admission of the South to force
and arms, the infant of to day will not
live t. see the end Of it. No iu another
, way only can it be brought to a close.
! Travelling a thousand miles aud more,
| through nearly one half Of the Confede.
rate States. and sojourning for time al
7 widely different points, met no. one man
S woman or child, who was not resolved te
] perish rather than yield to the pressure
D OF arms, even in the most desperate ex-
) tremity. And, whatever may and must
be the varying fortune of the war, in al
E which / recognize the hand of Provide q &C
7 pointing visibly TO the ultimate issue OF
6 this great trial Of the States and people o!
0 America, they are better prepar,d now
every way to make good their iuexorable
3 purpose than at any period since the be-
ginning of the struggle. These may, in.
, deed, be unwelcome truths, but they are
addressed only to candid and honest men.
Neither, however, let me add, did meet
any one, whatever his opinions or his sts.
ton, political or private, who did rot de-
clare his readiness, ,chen the uar shall
haze ceased, and inpadiag armies been
lCithdrarn, to consider aud discuss II {
question of reunion. And who shall
doubt the issue of the argument re.
turn, therefore, with my opinions and
convictions as TO war ana peace, aud my
faith as to final results, from sound policy
aud wise craftsmanship, not only unchaug-
ed, but confirmed and strengthened. And
uiay the God of heaven and earth SO rule
the hearts and minds Of Americans every,
where, that . constitution maintained, a
Union restored, and liberty henceiorth
made secure, a graDder and nobler des-
uny shall yet be ours than thar even which
blessed our fathers In the first two ages OF
the Republic.
G. l.. VALLANDIGHAN.