Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-01-10
Gov. Seymour's Message.

The message of the Governor of New
York, transmitted to the Legislature on tn,
9th of January, is a very able document
We copy the concluding part of it, as fol
lows:
The past year has been crowded with
events, both civil and military, of the gray.
est interest. The establishment of a ma
tional bank system; the issue of enormous
amounts of paper money, which is made q
legal tender; the adoption of q law for CO.
creed military service; the act indemnify
ing and shielding officials charged with Of
fences against the persons and property OF
citizens; the suspension of the writ of ha-
6eas corpus in peaceful and loyal communi-
: ties, are measures which 90 far towards de-
stroying the rights of States and centraliz-
ing all power at the National Capital
The executive and military officials as
sumo to declare martial law and to arrest
citizens where the courts are in undisturbed
operation, to try them by military tribunals,
and to impose punishments unknown to the
customs of our country; to administer ar
bitrary test oaths; to interfere with the free
dom of the press and with State and local
elections by military DEGREES, and the display
of armed power.
The President claims the right to do acts
beyond his civil jurisdiction, and beyond the
legislative power Of Congress, by virtue of
his position as Commander-in-C Chief. In
this assumption he is sustained by both
branches of Congress, and by large share
ofthe people of the country. These proceed
ings of Congress, and the action of the EX-
ecutive and military officials have wrought
a revolution. The civil powers, the laws of
the States, and the decisions of the Judiciary
hoN fla hnr to 4
| tlority. AT this time, then, we are living
under military government, which claims
that its highest prerogatives spring from
martial law and military necessities
These acts have been sustained by the
army, and acquiesced in by the people,
This revolution, if permanently accepted,
must be recognized as an overthrow of
established and cherished principles of gov
ernment. Hereafter it will force itself upon
the attention of the American people, who
will then see and feel its nature and results.
To their decision in calmer hours this sub
ject must be referred.
lfthese measures OF military, political and
| financial consolidation break down, their
failure will show the wisdom of the Contsi-
tuition in Withholding from the General
Government powers il itcannot exercise wise
ly and well; and it will establish the rights
of States upon basis firm and undisputed,
and will make the General Government
strong by confining it to its proper jurisdic-
tion. In the end we shall return to the prin-
ciples from which we have been drifting.
In the meanwhile, we are threatened with
other calamities which demand our imme-
diate attention. The rights of the people
and the restraints of the Constitution can
be reasserted whenever the public shall
demand their restoration, but it is beyond
the power of the popular will to rescue lis
from the calamities of National bankrupt
cy or National ruin, when these have be-
fallen us. The progress of events has
brought us to a point where we are COM
PEELED to contemplate these calamities, and
to consider how they may be averted
While it is duty to state plainly my
no spirit of controversy or of disrespect for
the opinions of those who differ from me.
The questions of the day are beyond the
grasp of any mind to comprehend in their
Influences or results. We see them from
different stand points and we reach con-
flictng conclusions. None but the igno-
rant, the bigoted or the designing will
make these differences of views occasions
for reproach or contumely. The times de-
mand outspokcn discussions. When we
see good and earnest men, under the intlu-
encc of some absorbing sentiment, over
looking the great principles of good gov
ernment, trampling upon usages and pro-
cedures which have grown up with the his
tory of liberty in the civilized world, we
are warned that none of us can claim to be
above the influence of passions or of preju
dices. While | do not agree with those
upon the one hand who insist upon an UNI
conditional peace, or with those upon the
other extreme, who would use only un-
qualified force in putting down this rebel
lion, l demand for them what | ask for
those who concur in the views which pre-
sent, o fair, dispassionate and respectful
hearing. Let not the perils of our country
be increased by bigotry, by partisan pas
sions, or by an unwillingness to allow
opinions to be uttered in forms and modes
in accordance with the usages of our peo-
pie and the spirit of our laws.
Since the outset of the war, tho National
Administration has asked for nearly two
millions of men. To keep up our armies,
the average annual calls have been more
than 100000 men.
In addition to the loss of life, there has
been diversion of labor from peaceful and
productive occupations to war, which de-
stroys the accumulated wealth Of the coun-
try.
lie OeCTeltIy Vi Ille lTedSuTy SJdIeS bllc
national debt will be sixteen hundred mil
lions in July next. This does not include
unascertained demands. In our former wars
these latent claims have nearly doubled the
liabilities supposed to exist during their
progress. If the war should cease to day,
the national Indebtedness could not fall
short of two thousand millions of dollars.
10 this must be added the aggregate of
State, county and town obligations. The
cost of carrying on the war hereafter will
be increased by larger pay to our soldiers,
by interest accounts, by enhanced prices of
provisions, transportation and material,
growing out of deprecated currency
The proposed issue of three hundred mil
J lions of paper money, under the national
banking scheme, in addition to the vast sum
now put out by Government, will add to
the imitation of prices.
Conflicting views are held as to the
amount of Indebtedness which would cause
national bankruptcy, and with regard to the
length of time the war can 60 on without
causing national ruin. All agree in this: thai
there is an amount of Indebtedness which
would overwhelm us with bankruptcy, tina
there is a duration of war which would lsinl
upon us national ruin. The problem witt
which we have to grapple is: How can W,
bring this war to conclusion before sucl
disasters oveEwhelm us? These perils mus
be confronted.
Two antagonistic theories are now befor
the American people for bringing to an en'