The Plymouth weekly Democrat., 1864-01-21
Governor Seymour Oh National
Affairs.

that body, Governor SEYMOUR makes the
following comments upon national affairs.
in which he expresses his views upon the
important events which have transpired
during the past year:
The past year has been crowded with
events beth civil and military, of the great.
est interest The establishments of a nation
al bank system the issue of enormous
amounts of paper money; which is made a
/ legal tender; the adoption of law iol
coerced military scrvi:e; The act iDdemni-
! iy ny and shieldiug officials charge with
offenses against the persons and property
of citizens. the suspention OF the writ OF
habeas corpus in peaceful ana loyal COM
nunit.es, are measures which go ;ar toward
destroying the rights of States and cen
tralizing all power AZ the Capital
The executive ani military officials as
sume to declare martial law and to arrest
! citizens where the courts are in undis-
tdrbed operation, to try them by military
tribunals, AMI to impose punishments un-
known TO the customs Of eur country: to
q minister arbitrary test oaths; to inter
! ferc with the freedom of the press and
oc.l elections by military decrees, and
shc display of arme power.
The President claims the right to d.
acts beyond the civil jurisdiction and be-
y;nd the legislative power of Congress,
by virtue Of his position as Commander in
Chief In this assumption be is sustained
by both branches Of Congress AMI large
shart Of ,he people of the country. The
proceedings of Congress and the action Of
the Executive and military officials have
wrought a revolution: The civil power,
the Laws Of States and -hc decisions Of
the judiciary have been made srbord-
nate Ia military authority. At this time,
. then. we are living under military gov
eminent which claims thar its highest pre-
ro.;atiYes sprinr from martial law aud
military necessities The acss have been
sli,i:ncl by the army and acquiescel il by
she people. Ths revolution If permanently
.acctatei. mast be recognized as an over
ta;ow Of established and cherished rrinc-
pies Of government, Hereafter j. will
fDrce itself upon the American people. v nc
VII then see an'i feel its nature and results.
70 ths.r decision in cslmer hou,s, this
subject must be referred
"lf the.e measures of military, political
aad financial consolidation break dowa.
their f.ilarc viii show the w .sdom of he
Constitution in Withholding from the gen
eral government powers It cannct exercise
wisely ;.El well: aud it will establish The
rights u the States upon basis firm ana
urdisputei, and will make tie general
IoTcrnment strong by ceniiins it TO u.
risliction. La the end we shall return ;o
principle :rn. sh.ch We have been dit
inr.
I'm the meanwhile, W are threatened
wilh othcr calami;ies which demand o,.r
. inine late attention The rights Of the
Pc pie and The restraints cr the C3mstitu-
iion caa he reasserted whenever the public
she1 demand their restoration, bui Il is
b yond the popular will 10 rescue us from
IN caiam'tes Of national bankruptcy or
national ruin, when these have beialeu us.
/ he progress OF events has brought Us TO a
: point where We arc compelled to contem-
/ plate these caiam;tes and 70 consider he "
they may lie avertei.
While It Is duty to state plainly my
vie about public affairs, shall doso n no
rt of controversy or of disresEect for
the opinions Of those who differ from ne.
The questions of the day ar beyond the
grasp ofany MUD to comprehend in their
influences or results. We see them from
d !lerent stand points, ana We reach con
a'cting conclusions. None but the igno-
rant, the bisoted or the designing will
maze these differences of views occasions
for reproach or contumely The times de
mand outspoken discussions. When we
see good and earnest men, under the in
fiuence of sorae absorbing sentiment, over
looking; the great principles of good gov
ernment, trampling upon usages and pro
cre lures which have grown up with the
ist 'ry of liberty in the civilized world we
are warned that none of us can claim To be
above the Influence Of passions or of pref
ulces. While | do not agree with those
on the one hand who insist upon an uncon.
ditional peace, or with those upon the other
ex rene who would use only unoualiGet
fjr,e III putting down this rebellion. / lie
maa for them what | ask for those who
concur in the views which present. a
fur, dispassionate aud respectful hearing
Let not the perls of our country be in.