Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-01-14
GOVERNOR SEYMOUR on NATIONAL AFFAIRS

In the Inteigencer of the 7h instant We briefly aud
cd TO the lse Message Of Governed SEYMOUR to the Ii
gsature OF New York sertps much Of il contained
the statistics Of the late draft in New York Wetodsy
make room for another portion II this document being
that part relating TO national affairs. which discussed
by the Governor follows:
The past year has been crowded with events both civil
and military Of the gravest interest The establishment
OF National Bank system; the issue OF enormous amounts
Of paper money which is made legal tender; thu adop
ton Of law for coerced military service the act indem
nyng and shielding officials charged with offences against
the pereons and property Of ctzens the suspension OF
the writ Of habeas corpus peaceful aad 0y al communi
ties measures which go FAR toward destroying the
rights Of States and centrazng all power at the national
capital.
The executive and military ficals assume to declare
martial law and to arost citizens whore the courts are Ia
unds!urbed operation to try them by military tribunals
and TO mptss punshments unknown to the customs of
country to administer arbitrary test oaths to inter
fere with tho freedom OF the press and with State and
local elections by military dacrres and the display of arm
ed power The President claims the right to do acts Boz
You'd his civil nrsdicon and beyond the Legislative pow
Of Congress- by virtue Of his position as cunandsrn
chief la this assumption he sustained by both branches
Of Congress and by large share OF the people Of the
try These proceedings OF Congress and the action Of the
executive and military officials have wrought revolution
The civil power the laws OF States and the decisions Of
the Judiciary have been made subordinate to military
thOrity. st.gsbsl fsGi gk pN{ u.
AT this tlms then we living under military gov
enment which claims that its highest prerogaves spring
from martial law aud military necessities. These acts
have been sustained by the army aud acquesced by the
people. This revolution if permanently accsptd must
be recognised overthrow of established aud cherish
ed principles Of government Hereafter it will force
itself upon the attention Of the American people who will
then and feel its nature and results To their decision
in calmer hours this subject must be referred
If these OF military, political. and financial
consolidation break down. their failure will show the wis
dom OF the Constitution in withholding from the General
Government powers IL cannot exercise wisely and we'll
and it will establish the rights Of States upon basis firm
and undispued and will make the General Government
strong by c0nnng 1t to its proper Jurisdiction In the
end shall return to the principles from which have
been drifting ft'
Ia the meanwhile we are threatened with other ca,am
ties which demand our immediate attention The rights
Of the people and the restraints Of the Constitution be
whenever the public shall demand their resto
ration, but it beyond the power of the popular will to
from the caanies Of national bankruptcy or
national ruin when these have brnen The prOgreas
Of events has brought the point where are
piled to contemplate these calames and TO consider
how they may be- averted.
While tits duty to state plainly my views about public
affairs shall do in spirit Of controversy Of dis
respect for the opinions Of those who LITER from The
questions Of the day beyond the grasp of any mind to
comprehend in their Influences results We see them
from different stand points, and reach conflicting CON
illusions. None but the ignorant ths bigoted the de-
signing will make these differences of
reproach contumely The times demand outspoksn
discussons. When good and earnest men, under
the influence OF absorbing sentiment the
great principles Of good Government, trampling upon
usages and procedures which have grown up with the
story Of liberty in the civilized world we are warned
that Of US claim to be above the influence Of pas
sons Of prrjudices While do not agree with those
upon the hand who insist upon unconditional peace
with those upon the other who would only
unqualified force n put ing down this rebellion demand
for them what ask for those who the views
which present fair dispassO las and respectful hear
ing Let not the perls Of country be increased by
bigotry, by partisan passions by unwlngness to
allow opinions TO be uttered in forms and modes accord
ance with the sages Of our people and the spirit Of
laws. +.4 ls
Since the outset Of the war the National
has asked for nearly two millions To keep up our
armies the average annual calls have been more than
400 900 In addition to the oss of lfe tbare
been diversion Of labor from peaceful aud productive
occupations to which destroys the accumulated wealth
Of the country. ..,.. ,,.4s,ta = FL 4e.t
The Secretary OF the Treasury states that the national
debt will be sixteen hundred millions in July This
does not include unascertain.d demands In former
wars these latent claims have nearly doubled the liabilities
supposed to exist during their progress, III the
should to day, the national Indebtedness could not
fall short Of two thousand millions Of dollars To this
must be added the aggregate of State county and town
obligations The cost Of carrying on the hereafter
will be Increased by larger pay ia soders by interest
accounts, by enhanced prices Of provisions
on and material, growing out OF deprecated currency
The proposed issne OF thee hundred millions Of paper
money, under the national banking scheme, in addition
the vast now put ont by Government viii add to the
inf .tion Of prices. aa st
Conf cling views are held as TO the amount of indebted
which would national nkruptcy aud with
gard to the length Of time the go without
ing national ruin Asgree in this that there amount
ruptcy that there duration Of which would bring
upon nat'oual ruin The problem with which We have
10 grappe IL, How bring this to conclusion
before such disasters oyerwholm us1 These peris must
be confronted t If f.
Two antagonisic the ores now before the American
people for bringing to end the destructive contest
which we are engaged. .aE .tst htass ssl 81 |
The krst that contained ia The resolution adopted BY
c. ngrers and approved by the President early day
and ths faith Of which the people al the country
wi hout distinction Of party have furnished than
treasure of country This resolution cSnsecrated the
energies Of aud the policy Of to the reso
ration Of the Unon the support If Consultation II
olemn appeal To the civilized world that the objects
thus clearly set forth justified which not Only con
cerned the American people, but which also disturbed
commerce. aud industry OF all nations
The opposite theory the return OF the revotsd
States upon the condition OF ayiog dowa their il
denies them politcs existence ch enables them to
back ANY terms ID holds that States In the re
VOTED section Of the country must be- established u
that the States hereafter may may not hold
boundaries OF the States thus destroyed, although it IL
suggested "a not improper that these aud boun
daries etc should be- maintained. t~8l .g. fs
The therefore, 10 not to be brought to end by
the submission OF these States to the Constitution and
their return TO the Union but il be- prolonged until
the South subugaed to the acceptance Of s duties
under the Constitution but Of such may die
tated Until States thus established " u is held
that there political organizations which bring
back the people to their aleasncs that If States
spoken 81 the proclamation OF the President should lay
down their and sho0d return to the performance Of
their duties they would not bs recognised received
This theory designs sweeping revolution in the section
Of country in rrbcDn and the creation of new
political system by virtue OF executive DEGREES Ia THE