The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-04-05
THE HABEAs CoRPUs-A verv Great Error

HE uABEAS CoRPUS-A Tery Great Error
Gov Brown. in his late message, says:
81 am not aware of instance in which the British
King has suspended attempted to suspend the priv-
lege OF the writ OF a6eds since the Bill of Rights
and act OF settlement passed in 1885, To attempt this
in 1854 would cost the present reignng Queen less
price than her crown.n
This is a most objectionable ignorance of history
in the sGovernor of Confederate State, and shows
how little attention Gov Brown paid to this impor-
tant subject before he undertook his crusade of ag
tation.
: We understand that others have caught up this
refrain of Gov Brown, and that Mr.. Holden. in the
Standard. has stated freely much the same thing.
The Columbus Enquirer refers to zone of its ex-
changes as having said that it suspended as
TO Ireland in 1882 We presume that this refer
ence is to ourselves. as we published some time
since statement to that effect.
For the benefit of Gov. Brown, and others like
him. who are wont TO harp upon the sacredness of
the habeas corpus in England and to commit like
egregous mistakes and follies in matters OF plain
history propose to furnish resume. to-day, of
English legislation his subject to some extent: :
In 1894, the 10Th of May, the King notified
Parliament of "certain sedtious practices" and
asked suspension of the habeas corpus throughout
the realm. The question thoroughly debated
Mr.. Pitt and Mr.. Burke, and the leading men Of
England. with few exceptions. supporting the bill
which was presented by Pitt. The bill passed by
very large majorites and was for some time con-
tinued In that debate it transpred that the p,iyi
ege of the writ of habeas corpus had been ae times
saspended-among other times in 1715, 20, 2'45.
and ~. a..
1t was again suspended in Ireland in $780, and
again in 1902,
In 1903. on which occasion Sheridan and Fox
who had both opposed it in 1894. supported the BILL
In 1904, 1905, from 1907 to 1910, again in 1914,
and again in 1922, until 1924. In 1917, it was sus
pended in England proper In 184S IN the reign
Of Queen Victoria, the 18th year Of her reign, Lord
John Russell. then her Prime Minister, introduced
H. &c V~o
land, into the House of Commons the 22d of July,
and it was debated until the oath. which day it
passed the House of Commons-only eight members
voting in the negative.
On the same day it was sent to the House of
Lords and on that day passed that House unoni-
raousLy. And the 25th of July. it received the
royal assent of Queen Victoria who not only did
not lose her crown but was enabled thereby to
rest very dangerous conspiracy then fomenting
in Ireland; and by the seizure of Messrs. Meagher
and others. to prevent bloodshed and civil war.
At one time another the very best men of Eng
land. her chiefest statesmen-Lords and Commoners
in late years, such Lord Campbell, Elienbor-
ough, Brougham. Landsdown, Earl Grey. Lord
Derby-and in the Commons, Burke, Pitt. Fox,
Sheridan Pamerston, D Israeli. and many others
whom might enumerate, of all political parties.
of liberal views and sound craftsmanship have voted
for the suspension of this privilege, wise. sound,
policy of government; and on occasions
not comparing in magnitude and Importance with
that now existing in the Confederate States.
In the present Instance. we avow as our belief
that, SO far as North Carolina concerned, this
was necessary. and has been productive
of great good. 1t has hindered most dangerous
and mischievous agitation; and to none has it been
more mercful beneficial than to the agitators,
who were fast vergng towards abyss from which
there would have been reclamation. We say
this in no spirit of denunciation, for hearth
ly glad that barrier has been nterposed prevent
state of things that humanity would have shudder-
ed at-Raleigh Confederate.