The mountain Democrat., 1864-08-13

which the last elections were carried on
aS tho point IS She bAyrDet, both IN Ke->-
tGcky and Maryland. Look at the Presi-
dents amnesty proclamation, whereby
he sought to establish the principle that
would authorize one-tenth part of the peo-
pie to govern the other nine-tenths.
And look again at the Northern prisons
which little while ago were filled with
the unfortunate victims of prescription
for opposing with manly courage the
startling usurpations of the President
Each successive outrage upon the rights
and liberties Of the people, tamely sub
mitted to, only embolden the friends and
advocates of tyranny.
Why, sir, hold in my hand copy of
what claims to be the peculiar organ of
Abraham Lincoln, published in this city
on the following morning after the arrest
of G. L. Weller, and the leading editorial
for that morning begins with the follow
ing caption: 1.-THE disadvantages of free
dom, and the whole article is devoted to
proving the great superiority of despo-
tsm over free government.
But will read;
at is a great mistake to suppose that
free institutions are under all circum-
stances and for all purposes, superior to
arbitrary ones. Even despotism has its
advantages, and Freedom has its draw
backs. Republican institutions do not in
all exigencies exhibit the efficiency and
energy of strong governments In fact,
it is one of the lessons of experience, that
the people who resolve to enjoy the bles-
sings of freedom must be content 70 fore.
60 some of those advantages which are in
consistent with it. Absolute govern
ments can act with promptitudc and en-
ergy that no free government can rival
A nation governed by despot can act as
one man, and is never embarrassed by an
Opposition In England there was an
opposition to the government in 1776, in
the war for the subjugation of the Amer
ican colinies. In the United States there
was an opposition to the war of 1872
| Burke and Chatham and Townsend spoke
out in the British Parliament against the
policy of their government in endeavoring
to dragoon the colonies into submission" ="
And, pray, what should have been done
with Burke,a and Chatham, and Townsend,
for speaking out against the policy OF
their government in attempting to dra-
goon the colonies? Why, sir, if Mr.. Lin
coin had been George the Third, and the
Flag man had been the editor Of a London
newspaper, with Titus Oates for local
reporter and if Mcdowell had been Ma.
jor General of the Department of the
Thames, then Burke and Chatham and
Townsend would probably have found
lodgings in London Tower until the glo-
taught England and the world how little
are all the efforts of tyrants to crush q
brave people resolved to be free.
But our Flag man is still true to bis
principles. lie finds the same fault with
Democrats which he charges upon Burke
and Chatham. lie says:
"Peace Democrats would be as scarce
Carolina, if the galows were employed
here as freely as it is there for the pur-
pose of securing political harmony. The
partisans of Davis in our midst invoke
the constitution and laws for their protec-
ton"
There, then, Democrats, or partisans OF
Davis, MS you are called, there lies your
fault. You invoke the Constitution and
the laws for your protection. Great God!
what should we invoke for our protection
if not the Constitution and laws Of oul
country? Drive US from that sanctuary
and where shall we take refuge?
know of but two modes of vindica-
ting violated rights, the one is by law
and the other is by force. 1t remains for
those in authority to say which of these
we shall have; We can never consent to
surrender them both. And that brings
me back to the proposition with which
set out, namely, that every blow leveled
at the Constitution and laws is blow in
favor OF civil war.
And has it come to this, my country
men? Shades of Washington and Jeffcr.
son, has it come to this? That here, in
once free America, the only criminals
thought worthy of the dungeon and the
halter are those who stand by the Consti-
tuition and the laws; while the over
throwers of liberty and the advocates OF
despotism are alone thought worthy to
walk without shackles upon their limbs
| uSIC dIC u lew idlldllCS
among US, as destitute Of property as of
principle, who have everything to gain
and nothing to lose, who are daily tanning
the fires of civil, political, and social strife,
and all for the cherished purpose of fan
ming the flames of civil war, to the end
that theyy vulture like, may fatten upon
the charred and bleeding corpse Of their
country.
very much regret to believe that the
poisonous counsels Of the infammatory
sheet of which | have spoken find too
ready an access to the ear Of our military
authorities. 1t is a significant fact that
both Gen. Chapman and Chas. L. Weller
were singled out by that journal as suita-
BILE victims for a military prison but a
short time before their respective arrests.
And believe that it is further fact that
the alfidavits upon which these arrests
were made both emanated from the Office
of that newspaper.
We have truly, fellow. .countrymen, fall
en- upon perilous times, when an irrespon.
sible reporter Of one of the most scurril-
Gus and inflammatory newspapers that ev-
er disgraced the press, burning, perhaps,
with partisan hatred, can 60 into some
private chamber, make out an ex parte
affidavit according to his own notion, and
upon that affidavit procure the arrest and
Imprisonment, for an indefinite period, Of
an American citizen.
There is no trial, no witnesses for the
defense, no cross-examination of the accu-
ser, no opportunity to impeach or contra
dict his testimony.
Who can consider himself safe;who has
an enemy in the country, either personal
or political, if this is to be the mode of
trying and Furnishing those charged with