Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-11-30
IPoR TIE wHIa.1
SUSPENSION OF HABEAs CORPUS.


We are in the midst of q revolution. The primary
sos Of the contest are, liberty and ind ,pendepce-
We abhor the Yankee de- oism and wish to escape
from it. We desire free goVcrl ment.
What is 1t that makes the Yankee Government dss-
nooP Ii is the concentration of all power legislative
executive, aud judicial in the hands Of LiOooln. His
Droclamatlons ordap, set aside, all laws dscrs-
tiou Iuterpres aud eIpounds them. And his will de-
,ermDes how far they to be executed. This state
Of things iulals eyery condition OF despoliam. Do
20 wish for ourselves government like tbatf
The Virginia Bill OF Rights, SEQ. 8, declares "thst
the legislative aud executive poWers of The ate should
be separate and distinct from The judc'a y"
The same great charter of freedom, afitms "Ths.
all powtF of euspending laws the execution Of laws
by any authority without! consent of tie representa-
tivss OF she people, 10 furious to their rights and
| ought not to be exercised"
So thought George Mason and our revolutionary
| sres.
But what Is Congress now celebrating about p
Rumor sAJs they sser.tiy provi ling for a svspen
SION Of the writ Of Habsds Corpus.
Have members considered the practical effect OF such
measure
Do they forget that II is virtual transfer Of the u.
d!cal, and large portion Of the Leg ilatve functions
| of the government to the Ex:caIiVeS
If the writ be suspended the EIecvive Ia the cole
expounder of the laws aud the Constitution In regard
10 All matters eff citing the personal psfety of the ot-
xep. ANY man may be incarcerated, withou. know
ing the cause OF his arrest, or bel confronted with
his sccusers tried by jay Of hIs peers The law
and the Corstu ion are, far as he concerned
pended The judicial department, which is specially
constituted to interpret and eIpound the lave, is para
l,z.d-Executve discretion is subs iIuted for Judicial
exposition The will Of the President stands in place
| of the law of the land.
Here theu is transfer OF the judicial power to the
Executive.
Bat this is not ALL The proposition to suspend the
Labeds corpus proceeds the idea that il the ckzen
sseks the redress which the laws aloE and which the
iudcary is bound TO kive the public interest will suf-
fer This IT, IN substance admission that tho laws
and the Constitution well a. the ud ary must be
gotten rid Of They Troublesome obstacles in the
path OF Executive discretion, ard they must be re-
moved The SUSPENSION Of the writ OF ha6sas corpus
eff Cts this eud. matters not what guarantees the
Constitution aud the laws give IL their administrative
organs the stu-ts closed to the appeals of the
oppressed. Why I OF come up rarely ard fairly to
the proposition to establish Dictatorship Dsguis'
it as you may the suspension OF hd6eds corpus the
same thing in substance. transfers the powers and
functions o. tire legislative aud judicial to
the Executive L. breaks down the line of de narca-
| ton between the Coordinate departments IL con-
solidates all power Ia the hands Of the Executive and
that consolidation Call the Government by what name
| ,ou may, ia Dsspotism.
What security ~ill any msu have for bis liberiyP-
| Mr. Seward has only to Irg his bell and give nod,
aud the best men Of the North consigned to the
| Bsstle
Are We 30 ensmorsd of Mr.. Stewards example, that
We viss to pattern after il? rspsst what security
will Gny man. be be high or los, private citizen, editor
| or member of Congress- have for his liberty
Why does not the P e,s speak Gu for its freedom
| ia endanger,df Why do not our Stats Legislatures,
the especial guardians Of popular rights. demonstrate
against this unmsny surrender of The citadel of liberty
Should these ssntipels SLENDER at their posts depend
GA il, the people ell speak, in thunder tones, at the
coming 81 osioGs to the plant subulssOnsts to peWer
Virginia hss sver sctsd on the principle that eer-
nal vigilance the price OF liberty" sbe will not for
got it roc. At the election next May let mo man he
deemed worthy to represent her who has "bo"od the
| knee to Bsal"
These reB Srks are dictated by 20 distrust of the
/ President sdnirs his character. believe him 10
bs patriot. Il 20 Instance has he usuIped power
and be has exTc ssd what poss with eye sir
| to the pubic good But distIust human nature.
would lead no man into temptation. The furest way TO
prevent the abuse power, is not to give the pportu
ni,y. okoRGs mAsrf'