The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-08-24
The Laws we Live Under.

! Up to the late hour Mr.. Lincoln wa,
inagurated the people of the Union, anC
the officers of the Federal Government
| had been noted for the reverence of anC
obedience to law. The last appearance
of even mistake, or inadvertent trans
gresssion beyond the constitutional limit:
Of power, on the part of an administra
tion, was Indignantly rebuked by a peo
pie jealous OF their liberties. Not ever
the eminent revolutionary services of John
Adams, could excuse his errors which
looked toward an enlargement of the
Federal authority, though by Congress
ional action. Not all the popularity Of
Andrew Jackson, and his deeds in the
Geld and cabinet, could save bis party
from utter overthrow; when the inaugu-
ration of the subtreasury, and tho pro
posed measure for organizing the militia,
gave a color Of truth to the accusuation
that it was seeking to grasp both the
purse and the sword.
TO come down later, we all remember
with what tremendous force the charge
was hurled against the fugitive slave law,
that il deprived the fugitive of the writ
of hobedS corpus! How the hitherto in
vincible democratic party reeled under the
charge that military authority had super
seded the civil law in Kansas! We ask
every reader TO recall the state of public
sentiment, prevailing in this regard up to
the Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln
We were proud to live under civil law,
absolutely secure, in person, property, pa
pers, and everything else, from prying in
quisitos, and detestable spies. A large
superabundant revenue was collected, we
never felt, and scarcely knew how.
Contrast our situation now, at a dis
tance of but three years. Count not the
treasure spent; throw out of sight the
dead and crippled; look merely at those
who live and labor. To-day, not one
mar moves a freeman. He enjoys his
liberty, not as right bnt favor. The
Assessor may invade his donlcil with
impunily; impose an oath as to his in
come and effects; impeach the oath when
taken, and drag TO light bis most inti-
mate privacies, may expose him to the
malice of his enemies, and ruin his pros
poets for life. In this inqusitorial power
the Administration holds weapon as
potent as the guillotine over the head Of
every opponent. Terrorism takes the
place of perfect liberty of choice.
But usurpation does not stop here.-'
The very right to personal liberty is sub
sttuted by the privilege and favor Of
"Provost Marshal" There is not man
who walks the streets to-day, who can
say tnat he does so by virtue of free.
mans right. Nor will there be while i;
is possible TO bold one of the hundreds
now lying unaccused by the civil law, in
Federal fortresses, the writ Of hab euS
corpus and every other bulwark of civil
liberty, lies PROSTATE. We may, indeed
walk defantly, and talk boldly with i'm.
punity but this is not true liberty. We
are not freedmen so long as there exists @
power that challenges our right; and es.
pecially that invades it rs often, and fire.
quently an Invasion is attended with
safety. What contrast between oul
present position and that Of 1901
What change three years has wrought
Voters of the United States, dare yor
trust this administration with power foul
years longer, after this present term shal
expirei 1t has already advanced moro
than half way to an imperial crown. Il
has sired all the power, and lacks bu'
the bauble Of diadem. Shall not the
voice of the people next November ad'
minister the rebuke which NAL admins
tration has never failed to receive, and
remind all ambitious rulers that "eterna
vigilance" }" is not yet extinct.-Detrci
ShrapneI, august 6h.