Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-05-15
Acnrieu, oia rocument

graduates its neighbors Of The Tribune on the
discovery Of the curious old document referred
to in the following article We have had a copy
OF il for many years. and have been in the habit
Of making frequent reference 10 it. We could
have lent our contemporary copy any time
within four years past, but understood they did
no, want IT, In point Of fact We we're substan-
who referred 10 il was traitor. Ii il sincerely
gratifying 20 learn that copy has turned up
where il may be useful. Seriously. it is to be
hoped that the wise words Of The Tribune may
attrsct attention aud win that respect TO the con
stitution which they demand
From The n 7. Tribune. Nay ilth-
sEcREr MILITARY TRIALS.
There il a curious old document in existence.
known as the constitution OF the United States.
which formerly bad the force and effect Of law
In that large portion of our country not especial
y dominated BY the slave power. Under the rule
Of our present cabinet. IL seems to have gone
out of fashion; and since Mr.. Sfanfon's aces
non 10 Che control Of The rar department. II has
become practically obsolete Loyal citizens did
not much mind this while civil war convuised
the country, threatening the permanent over
throw on our liberty aud our nationality; bat
now that the war is practically ended, il seems
high time that the old parchment were exhumed
and treated with some show of respect. There
being, apparently. no copy extant 10 the federal
CITY, we quote from in possession, for
the instruction and sdmoni,ion Of our magis-
tates, certain amendments proposed by the states
| when ratifying the instrument. which. being duly
| approved and adopted, became an integral part
| OF our fundamental law-as follows:
Arr. V. No person shall be held to answer for
| a capital or otherwise nfsmouse crime unless on
presentnient or indictment Of Grand jury.
ereeptin cases arising in the land naval forces
| or In the militia rhen in actual service in time
Of war or public danger; nor shall any person
be subject for the same ofense to be twice put in
jeopardy Of life or limb; nor shal he be compelled
| in any criminal case to be witness against him
self be deprived Of life. liberty, property.
| uifhout due process Of laU; nor shall private
property be taken for public use without just
/ compensation.
| Arr VI In all criminal prosecutions, the
sccused shall enjoy the right to speedy and pub
lie trial. by an impartial jury OF the state and
district wherein the crime shall have been com
mit,ed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained BY law; to be confronted with the
witnesses against him; to have compulsory pro-
cess for obtaining Witnesses in his favor and to
have the assistance of counsel for his defense
ART VII In suits at common law, wherein
| the controversy shall exceed twenty dollars the
right Of trial By jury shall be preserved; aud no
fact tried py a jury shall be otherwise re exam
ined IN any court of the United States than accor
ding TO the rules of the cou mon law.
ART VIII Excessive bal shall not be requir
| ed, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
| unusual punishment inflicted
| We have made our citations full, hot merely
in Difference TO the apparent naccessibility of the
document at Washington, but because we wished
| every reader to see that the passages we have
placed in Italics are not garbed nor picked, bu,
they of the essence and vitality Of the consti
tuition itself. Being so. how can we Justify. OF
excuse, or even keep silence with regard TO the
military trials just initiated at Washington? A
mIscreant, acting in concert with other sssas-
sins. has attempted the life of the secretary OF
state, and. though his purpose was defeated, be
| nevertheless severely wounded Gov. Seward
his oldest son, aud two or three others who
nobly resisted him. OF course this villain and
his coniederates should be sternlv dealt with
| but why not according to lawI What reason
| what excuse, can be urged To justify the send
| ing OF this case before court martial and
having il tried in secret? How can such a
| trial he reconciled with the plain provisions OF
| the constitution,
As to the military trial of those who conspred
| WIN Doobu W tut pft-iutut, aUu tlu
ed to achieve that fell purpose, the outrage il moi
quite so fragrant: but such trial is at best blum
der. while epshrouding il In secrecy is utterly in
defensible. To try doctor for his life because
he set q strangers broken bone. and gave or sold
or lent him pair OF crutches, may just do; but
to try him Ia secret, allowing no report of the
testimony but such as the prosecution sees ht to
make. is nothing less than sbomipsble Two
| months ago. il would have been endured for the
country's sake: now there is no reason that II
should be We warn all who take voluntary
part in these strange proceedings. that the rebel
| lion IL suppressed, the war at end, and the
tight to suspend the privilege Of habeas corpus and
| make the will of secretary of war the supreme
law Of the land. has expired
Ii our present secretary csnnot be made 10 rea
lie these grave truths. IL is high time he bad a
successor; aud II our attorney general believes
the assailant OF Secretary Seward now "legall,
trisble before military commission" he badly
needs his own time for the completion OF his
legal studies. while the government needs diff
ferent Law officer. There may be potter WAYS OF
setting forth these convictions, but none of these
| would do them Justice
| Gentlemen OF the cabinet! the war eastward oi
the Mississippi Is ended: the rebellion is suppress
ell the union II re established and peace virtu-
ally restored; wherefore the people demand OF
| you speedy and thorough return to the safe
and orderly ways of liberty Do not compel
them to speak in tones that you cannot refuse TO
| heari