Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-05-27
Habeas Corpus in the House.

Habeas Corpus in the House.
On Monday last the resolution of Mr.. Foote, in
favor Of repeating the act suspending the writ Of
ha6eas corpus was laid upon the table By vote of
81 to 24-the yeas and nays called for by DR.. j.
I. Leach
YEAs-MeSsrs. Aiken, Anderson, Atkins BaIks-
dale BlandI'rd, Bayce, Bradley, Branch, E. N.
Bruce, Ii. w. Bruce. Chambers, Chiffon, Chrisman,
Cloptcn, Colysr, Conrad, Dcjarnette Dickinson
Dupre, Echos, Foster, Funston, Gather, A. H.
Garland, Haniy, Har:rdge Heiskell, Hilton, Holi-
day, Johnston, Kee6lc, Lyon, MacherD, McCallum,
McMullen, Menees, Miles, Miller, Montague, Moore
Perkins, Pugh, Read, Russell, Sexton, Shewmske,
Singleton, j. NJ. Smith, ". E. Smith, Staples,
Swan, Triplett Villere, Welch, Whiifeld, Wther-
spoon, Mr.. Speaker-57.
NAYs-Messrs. Aver, Baldwin, Bell Cruikshank,
Farrow, Foote, Fuller, Gholson, Gilmer, Holder,
LaIokin j. II. Leach, D. T. Leaeh, Lester LogIn,
Marshall, Murray, Orr, Ramsay, Rves, Rodgers,
Simpson, Smith Of North Carolina Turhes-24.
Mr.. Gather, it will be seen, darkles as lone star
in the armament of despotsm.. The Conservative
party Of the State has at length got rid of him. and
we are glad of it. Mr.. Bridgers, who voted against
the su pension at the last session, was absent
Missouri and Kentucky have some twenty two
members Of the House, nearly all of whom voted
against the repeal, to say nothing of the members
from West Virgins and other localiti0-epresented
in the federal Congress. The two States first
named have full representations in the federal Con-
gress, and they have contributed greatly more men
and means against us than for Us. Still their votes
exert controlling influence in the Congress on
great questions Of taxation and civil liberty.
The Speaker laid before the House the following
message from the President on the subject:
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT ON THE HABEAs CORPUS
To the House of Representatives.
of the Confederate States Of Anrrica::
The following resolution passed by the House Of
Representatives, on the 1+lh inst
{. Rssoloed, That the President be requested to
inform the House, if not Incompatible with the
public interest whether the reasons. given in his
special message for suspending the writ of hdbeas
corpus, still exist and what additional reasons
exist to such extent that the public safety requires
the continuance of the suspension thereof
In nv opinion the reasons given in the special
message transmitted to Congress at IFS last session.
recommending the suspension Of the writ of habeas
corpus still exist in undminiShed force, and the
present juncture especially requires the continuance
of the suspension. The effect of the law for that
purpose has been most salutary. and to that law,
in no inconsiderable degree We indebted for the
increased efficiency Of the military preparations
which have enabled our gallant armies, under the
providence of God, to beat back the invading forces
which still threaten u.s.
In nv Judgment it would be perilous, if not ca
lamitous to discontinue the suspension while the
armies of the enemy pressing on our brave de-
tenders with persistent effort for their destruction
and for the suhjugation Of our country.
1t is a source Of qualification to be able to inform
you, that the mere passage Of the law suspendlng
the writ, was efectual in restraining those who
were engaged in reasonable practices and in dan
gerous completely with our enemies, that the instan
ces are extremely few in which arrests were found
necessary.
The effect Of the law in preventing the abuse Of
the writ for thepurpose of eyadng military Service,
by men, whose plain duty 1t is to defend their coun
try, can hardly be over estimated
The sensitveuess exhibited in different parts of
the country to the legislation on this subject is in
dicative of the love Of freedom which is innate
among the people, and which should ever be cher
shed as the sole guarantee for the preservation OF
their constitutional liberties. 1t is not doubted,
however, that if those who have expressed dissa.is
factiod with the law had been in possession of the
information which it was my duty to communicate
to you and which may not yet be revealed without
injury to the public interests, they would fully have
approved the exercise of the power of suSpendlng
the writ, which was entrusted to Congress by the
Constitutica. All trusts impose duties. The pow
er was entrusted expressly with the intent that it
should be used whep necessary to the public safety
in case of invasion. g.
Congress concurring with me that the exigency
had arisen which required the exercise of the pow
er, performed but plain duty in passing the law,
and such will, doubt not, be the judgment of the
people when the facts can be made known without
'~I - JEFFERSON DAVIS.
RICHMOND, Va, May 90, 1864.