The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-01-27
Gov. Seymo,lr's Message.

We give the concluding portion Of the
annual Message Of Gov. Seymour Of New
York, to the Legislature of that State
Small politicians, administration toadies,
recipients and eApectants Of public favor
and the purchased tools of Power may not
like it, but to him who remembers the free
dom with which American citizens were
wont to discuss measures in which they
were vitality interested, we commend the
language of the Patriot and Statesman
SEYMOUR as among the gems of this hour
ofgoom. Read it, ye trimmers, and weep
that.ye have not nerve enough to be MEN
The past year has been crowded with
events, both civil and military, of the great,
est interest. The establishment of ma
tional bank system; the issue Of the enor,
nous amounts of paper money, which is
made legal tender; the adoption of a
law for coerced military service; the ac,
indemnifying and shielding officials charged
with offences against the persons and pro.
perty Of citizens; the suspension of the
writ of habeas corpus in peaceful and Loyal
communities, are measures which 20 far
| towards destroying the rights of States and
tal
The executive and military officials as
sume to declare martial law and to arrest
citizens where 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
freedom 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 the civil jurisdiction, and beyond
he legislative power of Congress, by virtue
Of his position as Commander.n. Chief In
this assumption he is sustained by both
branches of Congress, and by alarge share
Of the people Of the country. The pro,
ccedings of CoI.gr and the action Of the
Executive and military officials have
wrought revolution. The civil power
the laws Of the States and the decisions OF
the Judiciary have been made subordinate
to military authority. At this time, then
We are living under military government,
which claims that it's highest prerogatives
spring from martial law and military ne.
cesSities. These acts have been sustained
| BY the army and scquiesced in by the pco-
pie. THIS revolution, if permanently ac-
ceptel, must be recognized as an overthrow
Of established and cherished principles OF
government. Hereafter it will force itself
upon the attention of the American peo-
pie, who will then see and feel its ma,
ture and results. To their decision in calm-
er hours this subject must be referred.
If these measures Of military, political
and financial consolidation break down,
their failure will show the wisdom of the
constitution in Withholding from the gene.
raj government powers it cannot exercise
wisely and we'll and it will establish the
rights Of States upon basis firm and un'
disputed, and will make the general gov.
ernment strong by confning it to jurisdic
ton. In the end we shall return to priE.
ciples from which we have been drifting.
"In the meanwhile, we are threatened
with other calamities which demand oul
immediate attention. The rights of the
people and the restraints of the consttu.
ton can be reasserted whenever the public
shall demand their restoration, but it is
believed the power of the popular will res
cue us from the calanities Of national
bankruptcy or national ruin, when these
have befallen us. The progress o
events has brought US to point where
we are compelled to contemplate these cal
antilles and to consider how they may be
averted.
"While it is duty to state plainly my
views about public affairs, shall do so in
no spirit OF controversy or of desrespec
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 influence or results. We see them
from different tand-points, and we reach
conflicting conclusions. None but the ig
noIan,. the bigoted, or the designing will
make those differences Of views occasions
for reproach or contumely. The times de-
lhand outspoken discussions. When We
see good and earnest men, under the influ,
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
history Of liberty in the civilized world, we
are warned that none of US can claim to be
above the influence of passions or of pre-
judices. While l do not agree with those
upon the one hand who insist upon an
unconditional peace, or with those, upon
the other extreme, who would use only
unqualified force in putting down this re.
bellion, demand for them, what I ask for
those who concur in the views which l
present, fair. dispassionate. and respectful
hearing Let not the perils Of our country
be incl eased by bigotry, by partizan pas
sions, or by an unw,llingness to allow
opinions to be uttered in forms and modes
in accordance with the usages of our people
and the spirit Of our laws.
Since the outset Of the war tho national
administration has asked for nearly two