The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-05-31

| The HABEAs CORPUS QUEsT1oN.-A few per-
sons il. the Confederacy, who always protesting
to be the peculiar friends of civil liberty, have been
attempting for time past to ralse great nue.
and cry against the Act of the last congress sus
pending the writ of habeas corpus Most or those
who have condemned the suspension. from Vice Pre-
sident stephens down to one DIR. Grissom have done
so for electioneering purposes-to make themselves
popular with 1.-The people, Several members OF
the present Congress secured their seats by such
humbuggery and other shifts of various sorts.
We are gratiied to see that the Confederate
House of Representatives have given quletus to
the matter by refusing to pass resolution repeal
ing the suspension law.
In the House, Mr. Foote introduced resolutions
to repeal the law suspending the writ of habeas
corpus. Mr. w. c. Rives. an old line wing and one
of Eirginia's noblest statesmen, made powerful
and convincing speech against the repeal and show
ed that now the time when the writ ought to be
suspended. He justified the action of the last Con-
gress in passing the suspension law, ana declared
that if he had been a member at that time he would
have voted for it. After Mr. Rives concluded his
speech, motion to lay Mr. Foote's resolutions on
the table was adopted by vote of IS to 25
In relation to this matter, the following message
of the President was laid before the House the
21st inst
To The House Of Representatives ofthe Confederate
States Of america:
The following resolution passed by the House
Of Representatives on the 18th inst:
.Resolved, That the President be requested to
inform the House, if not incompatible with the pub
lie interest, whether the given in his special
message for suspending the writ of habeas corpus,
still exist and what additional reasons exist to
such extent that the public safety requires the
tinuance of the suspension thereof
In my opinion, the given in the special
message transmitted to Congress at its last session,
recommending the suspension of the writ of habeas
corpus, still exist in undimnshed force, and the
present juncture especially requires the continuance
of the suspension. The effects OF the law for that
purpose have been most sautary, and to that law,
in no inconsiderabe degree. indebted for the
increased efficiency of the military preparations
which have enabled our gallant. armies, under the
providence of God, to beat back the invading forces
which still threaten
In my judgment it would be perous if not calam
tou, to discontinue the suspension while the armies
of the enemy pressing brave defenders
with persistent effort for their destruction and for
the subugation of our country.
1t is source of qualification to be able TO inform
you, that the mere passage of the law suspending
the writ effectual in restraining those who
gerous completely with enemies, that the nstan-
ces extremely few in which arrests were found
necessary.
The effect of the law in preventing the abuse of
the writ, for the purpose of evading military
vice, by men whose plain duty it is to defend their
country can hardly be over estimated.
> The constituencies exhibited in different parts of
the country to the Legislation this subject, is in
diCative of the love of freedom which is innate
among the people and which should ever be cher
ished the sole guarantee for the preservation of
their constitutional liberties. 1t is not doubted,
however, that if those who have expressed dssatis
faction with the law had been in possession Of the
information which it my duty to communicate
to you, and which may not yet be revealed without
injury to the public interests, they would fully have
approved the exercise of the power Of suspending
the writ which was entrusted to Congress by the
Constitution. All trusts impose duties. The pow
entrusted expressly with the intent that it
should be used when necessary to the public safety
in of invasion.
Congress, concurring with me that the exigency
had arisen which required the exercise of the power.
performed but plain duty in passing the law, and
such will, doubt not, be the judgment of the peo-
pie when the facts can be made known without detri
ment to their interests. JEFFERSON DAVIS
Richmond May 90. 1864.