Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-01-14

l
URRANA, Ohio, January 3, 1864

URBANA, Ohio, ~Janusry ,, 1864.
EDs. EMrmg; l see by the Cincinnati Ga
zette, a few days ago, the announcement that
Aaron Burr was tried for treason in this Dis
trict of the United States Court, the same in
which Yallandigtam was tried. But forgets
to tell its readers that Burr was tried by a jury
of his countrymen, for open treason, while
Yallandigham wss tried by an infamous conrt
martial, in open violation Of the Constitution,
and not for treason, but for the defence Of
the Constitution Of his Fathers. For Abe
Lincoln said he was mot tried for anything
he had done, but for fear he might do some.
thing
But for his arrest, there was a oausr as well
as a pretext. The pretext charged him with
treason the cause was bis answering fidelity
to the Constitution he dared to speak freely,
and write without that restraint which only
an imbecile despot would impose upon = free
people. The despot acknowledged the crime
in sending him from his home and friends,
when he says he was tried for no crime com
mitted, aud by it has published his c%owardly
shame to the world, his rights in u court Of
justice to redress, such rs would not dare be
denied to the most despicable Of all the citi.
zsns and strangers of a free Government.
But with all this despotic power, he stands to-
day shielded and defended in the very affairs
Of the temple of Liberty, upon whose portals
are written n Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridgipg the freedom of speech or OF the
press or of the right Of the people peaceably
to assemble and petition the Government for
a redress of grievances aud, sir. # the high.
est legislative power shall kROio by what au
thority can it be done,
But, sir, our fathers we're great statesmen,
whose words have burned as a living FIRE for
nearly a century, sending its luminous flames
through the clouds aud storms up to the very
canopy of Heaven, that the whole world might
be warmed by its heat and guided by its light.
That honored statesman, G. l.. Yallandigham,
was warmed by its heat, and guided by its
light, and hence his Punishment These il
lustrious men stamped as the highest of all
erimes-inyoking Gods vengeance for their
punishment-the provocation to rebellion
among other things charged against the Brit
ish tyrants: "He has effected to render the
military Independent of and superior to the
civil power For depriying us in many ca
SEES of the benefits of the trialby jury" "For
transporting us beyond seas to be tried for
pretended oifenses." viii tyrants Of the pres
ent day remember that it was resistance to
these great and insuflerable wrongs that bap-
tizsd the battle.ields of our ancestors with
the purest blood that ever warmed the hearts
of a noble people. Nor should it be remark
~. - IL - :. l--L
inspired by their example, aud stimulated by
that full and unreluctant fame awarded to
them among all nations that their children
manfully plead, pray, and, if need be fight for
the liberty Of speech, ngfree press, trial by Jury,
the right Of petition, the writ of hdLeds corpus
and the destruction of tyranny and tyrants
without regardto habiliment or name. This,
has been Yallandigham's olIense-the real
cause of his arrest The pretext was a mere
covering, to prevent the clear sun shine Of
truth from uncovering the party corruption,
the political dsprayity and personal malice
that induced the violation Of his liberty, in de-
hanee of constitutional law, aud the shameless
scandal that stains the once fair fame of a
proud and prosperous nation, But let all
American citizens be both proud aud grateful
that be preserved his manhood and love oflib-
erty, and dared prisons, where the voice OF
the illustrious dead eehoes in response to his
spirits. Liberty and Union, now aud forever.
one and inseparabls.l Sir, prisons, gibbets
and cstracism are the old and well approved
weaponssof cowardly despots. BY ~theirhAnds
our gallant Lanrens, in prison, lay for years
immured in n British prison, as the only rem
resentatives OF America at the Court az st.
James. Paul aud Silas, Peter and John and
James, Socrates and lafayette; and the i'm.
maculate son Of Mary, the Prince of Peace,
we're all imprisoned and by a most singular
but not remarkable confidence, they were all
like the ever to be remembered c, J.. Yalland.
; gham, imprisoned upon suspicion of dis
= loyalty, and to avoid the exposure and corrup
ton Of iyrahts and despots Ashistory shows
the ahlest Generals, the bravest warriors, the
! purest patriots, the most ssgscious STATESMEN
have, In their turn been confined IN dungeons
bAnished from home, or publicly executed b,
: tyrsnts and despots. But the Punishment Of
} the ever to be honored G. L. Ya~llandigham Il
frAught with meaning. 1t is the aspen leaf
trembling with the stirring OF the atmosphere
which preeedes the storm. Reigns Of terror
like violent diseases, and furions hurricanes
are oflshort duration, and then comes retribu
s ton. These imprisonments and wrongs mus
0 shortly end; then the perpetrators will he call
r ed TO answer for their crimes. DemOorac,
|, and constitutional liberty will be restored thel
y the courts will dispense mobs, and the ciyi
will take the place Of military, and law will