The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1864-07-20
Freedom Of the Press in New York state.

State Of New York. Executive Department.
Albany, May %, 1864. :
Tod. Oakley Hall, Esq, District Attorney Of Mev
York.
SiR:-I avn advised that on the I2th in
slant, the office Of the Journal Of Commerce
and that Of the New York World we're en-.
tered by armed men, the property Of the
owners seized. and the premises held by
force for several days. Il is charged that
these acts Of violence we're, done without
the sanction OF the State or national law.
IL this be true, the offenders must be
punished.
In the month Of July last, when New
York was scene Of violence. gave warn
iny that" the laws OF the State must be en-.
forced, its peace and order maintained, and
the property OF its citizens protected al
every hazard" The laws we're enforced
at fearful cost Of blood aud life.
The declarstis then made was not in.
tended merely Tor that occasion, or asains,
any class oi men. II is one OF an enduring
character. 10 be asserted at all times anl
against all conditions OF citizens, without
favor or distinction. Unless all are made
10 bow 10 the law. il will be respected b,
none unless all are made secure in thei
rights Of person and property. none can be
protected. II the owners of the above
journals have violated State or nationa
laws. they must be proceeded against ans
punished By these laws. ARy action sgaiss
them. outside OF legal procedure. is criIni
nal.
Al this time Of civil war and disorde
the majesty VI the law must be upheld Of
society will sink into anarchy. Our sol
diers in the field will battle in vain fo
constitutional liberty. IL persons, or pro
perty. or opinions are trampled upon a
home. We must not give up home free
don, and thus disgrace the American
character. while our citizens in the arm,
are pouring out their liIebood 10 maintain
the national honor. They must not find
when they come back, that their persona
and fireside rights have been despoiled.
ln additional the general obligation {,
enforce the laws Of tie land, there are 10
cal reasons why they must be upheld in th
city.oi New York. II they are not il
commerce aud greatness will be brskel
down. II the great centre Of wealth, bust
ness, and enterprise is thrown into disor
der and bankruptcy, the national govern
msnt will be parslyIed. What make
New York the heart Of our countryS VIII
are lis pulsations felt al the extremities o
oar landi Not through its position aluuC
but because Of the worldwide belief iha
property is safe within its limits from vast
by mobs and spoliation BY Government
The laborersin the workshop. the mine an
IN the field, on this continent and in ever
part oi the globe, send TO its merchants, fu
sale or exchange, the products oi their toi
These merchants are made the trustees (
the wealth of millions living in every lane
because il is believed lha, in their hand,
property is safe under the shield " law sd
mlnistered upon principle, and aceordln
10 known usages.
This great confdccce has grown up !
the course Of many years BY virtue oi
pslnstaking. honest performance Of dut
BY the business men Of your city. Elm th
they have been aided by the enlorcemel
VI laws based upon the solemnly recorde
pledges that " the right Of the people 70
secure in their persons, houses, papers az
effects against unreasonable searches an
seizures, shall not be violated, anc that b
one shall be deprived Of liberty or prOpcrt
without due process Of law" For NOR
than eighty years have VIC asa people beef
building Up this universal faith 10 the sant
tity Of our Jurisprudence. II is this whiC
carries our commerce upon every oceaI
aud brings back 10 eur merchants I'll
wealth Of every cline. II is now charge
that, in utter disregard Of the sensitiyenei
Of that faith, at moment when the natior
al credit is undergoing fearful trial, II
organs Of commerce are seized and held !
violation OF constitutional pledges; thi