Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-08-22


civil Authority usurped by the Nil.
itary-The Reported Seizure Of
Fabulous Quantity Of Arms dWfn-
dies down into Small Proportions.
On Saturday night there was considerable ex-
element throughout the city caused by the re-
port that the military authorities had discovered
q large quantity OF arms upon the premises of
II. H DoDD & Co. The building was taken
possession OF by squad of soldiers. under the
direction OF Col JONES, early in the evening.
and was held until Yesterday afternoon. The
near as we can ascertain them:
Some two weeks ago, ten boxes. about
the size OF ordinary shoe cases, were landed
on Washington street, IN the front Of
DopDs building. from a draw, addressed to j j.
PARSONS, Indianapolis By direction of Mr..
DoDp six OF these boxes were stored in the uppe.
part Of the building and four in the lower part.
They were not opened. On Saturday afternoon
twenty two cases similarly addressed were landed
in the alley n the rear of DoDDs establishment
about ) O'Clock. after the proprietors and em
ployees, except one. had left. The latter, not
knowing the contents obtained assistance and
put them in the engine upon the alley.
! These boxes were shipped through regular rail
road freight hne and were in the depot here sev
eral days The freight bill was handed 20 Mr..
+ Parsons OIL " ednesday last, who stated that he
knew nothing about them and that he had no
money to pay the freight, some SO. The boxes
we're afterwards sent there, as We have stated,
/ without the knowledge of Mr.. Parsons or Mr..
HUTCHINSON the partners of Mr.. DoDD.
+ Yesterday the most exaggerated statements
we're circulated in regard to the quantity of arms,
varying from three thousand to eight thousand
Ii finally appears, from the statement of Col
Joyrs tina, there were but four hundred revolv
ers in all. and 5000 pistol cartridges in the
thirty two cases Such is brief statement OF
the facts.
The Constitution OF Indisns says "the people
shall have a right to bear arms Cor the defense
of themselves and the State" and the Constitu
ton OF the United States declares that this right
"shall not be infringed." The RICH, to bear arms
includes the right TO purchase and sell arms
Mr. DoDp, Dir. PARSONS. or any other man has
sale. and the people the right TO buy aud keep
them for the purposes provided in the Constitu
ton As We have stated, the arms and ammu-
milton seized we're brought here by regular
freight company they laid 10 the freight depot
here for several days, and they were taken in
open day 10 business establishment. In all
this there sppcars no attempt at conceament
Z; The transaction was legitimate far it sp-
pears upon the face
We presume the military authorities will at
tempt to show that these arms we're brough.
here for unlawful purposes IL this charge Is
established, then the persons implicated are
amenable to the penalties Of violated Law.
There is no responsibility beyond this. While
the Democratic party will maintain At all hax-
ards the constitutional right OF the people to
bear arms for the defense Of Themselves as law
t abiding citizens. thew will condemn the pur-
, chase and distribution OF arms for lawful
purposes.
The Democratic State Central Committee, in
their address, remark that there exists in the
public mind well founded apprehensons Of at
tcmpts oil the part OF those in authority to inter
ferc, by military poyer. with the freedom of cleo
tons" We inquire II the events of Saturday
night and yesterday do not justify these sppre
hensionsr Indiana is not under martial law
The laws and The decrees of her civil courts car
be enforced No opposition resistance has We,
occurred TO the civil authorities. The Constitu
ton SAYS 1.-The military should be kept in strict
subordinAiion TO the civil power" Again the
Constitution provides, Art /, Sec. IL:
I The right Of the people to be secure in their
persons houses. papers and effects. against IN
reasonable search or seizure shall not be viola
ted: and no warrant shall issue but upon proba
bic cause. supported by oath or affirmation. and
particularly describing the place to be searched
and the person or thing TO oe seized
We inquire what necessity FOR the violation OF
this constitutional right by the military authori.
ties. Was not the military exhibition of Satur-
day night and Sunday for partisan purposes and
for partisan efecti Marshal RosE armed With
search warrant aided by two or three men
without causing any excitement whatever. could
have entered upon DopD 4 Co : premises. and
without hndrance made the search and seizure
that the large posse OF the military did, Was
no; there An unreasonable search ard seizure OF
the persons. house. papers. and effects Of Dom
( Co
II was done without authority OF Law Aud
II the military authorities usurp this power in one
case. who ALL DC exempt from its exercise. II
is a dangerous preceden, 10 establish And the
civil authorities, represented bv Governor Mon
res, we're eonsentng 10 IT, |! ,hc military are
no longer TO be KEEP, il .tric; authorization TO
the civil power. then military despOtism is upon
", and the people are longer governed and
protected by Iss, bur are subject 10 the arbitrary
caprice- aud will Of a milirrv commaudan,.
Are the people prepared for this surrender OF
their political righ,ss